Tiffany Haney
Riveting leather onto a seat pan is a simple process that can be done with common tools and materials. To begin, you'll need to create holes in the leather using a punch or an awl. The size of the hole will depend on the type of rivet you plan to use. After punching the holes, you'll push the rivet post through the underside of the leather, making sure it extends about 1/8 inch above the surface. Place the leather on an anvil with the rivet post sticking up, then put the rivet cap on top of the post. Secure the rivet by placing the concave side of the rivet setter against the cap and tapping it with a hammer. For a sturdier finish, you can use copper rivets or double cap rivets. Additionally, washers can be used to prevent the material from pulling through.
Riveting Leather onto a Seat Pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Get a pan with holes drilled for rivets |
| Step 2 | Cover the pan with foam and shape it |
| Step 3 | Cover the foam with the material of your choice |
| Step 4 | Pull the material tight over the foam and rivet the material to the pan from underneath using rivets backed with wider washers. The washers are to help the material not pull through |
| Types of Rivets | Single cap rivets, double cap rivets, rapid rivets, tubular rivets, copper rivets |
| Single Cap Rivets | Used for one-sided projects |
| Double Cap Rivets | Used for two-sided projects |
| Copper Rivets | Used for a sturdier finish |
| Rapid Rivets | Most common rivet type |
| Tubular Rivets | Stronger and have a more utilitarian look |
| Hole Punching Tools | Rotary Punch, Manual Punch, Awl, Leather Punch |
| Hole Punching Process | Punch a hole in the leather, push the rivet post through the underside of the leather, place the leather on an anvil with the post sticking up, put the rivet cap on top of the post |
| Rivet Setter | Position the rivet setter on top of the rivet, concave side facing down against the rivet cap, hold the setter straight and tap with a hammer |
| Removing Rivets | Use a drill press, choose a drill bit bigger than the hole on the post side, line up the drill bit with the center of the rivet, turn the machine on and lower the drill slowly, do not press down hard |
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What You'll Learn
Choose the right rivets for your project
Choosing the right rivets for your project is essential to achieving the desired results. Here are some factors to consider when selecting rivets for your leatherworking project:
Type of Rivet
The type of rivet you choose depends on the specific requirements of your project. Here are some common types of rivets used in leatherworking:
- Single Cap Rivets: These rivets have a singular post and a slightly domed cap. They are best used for projects such as trunks, belts, and flap closure bags.
- Double Cap Rivets: These rivets feature a connecting cap and a post cap that expands and creates a strong hold when fastened with force. They are commonly used for backpacks, leather handles, and tote straps.
- Tubular Rivets: Tubular rivets have one metal cap and post and are suitable for heavy-duty applications or high-stress areas, such as seams, corners, and pockets.
- Rapid Rivets: These rivets have two parts: a stem that resembles a tiny mushroom and a cap with no stem. They are easy to set and are often used for quick assembly.
- Copper Rivets: Copper rivets are commonly used in leatherworking and can be set with a rivet setter or a hammer. They are available in various sizes and can be used for both functional and decorative purposes.
Rivet Size and Length
It is important to select the appropriate size and length for your rivets. Measure the thickness of your leather and add 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) to the post length to ensure a secure hold. The rivet should protrude slightly, with about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) of the post extending beyond the leather surface. Stack your materials, measure their height, and add the additional 1/8 inch to determine the ideal rivet length.
Material and Finish
Rivets are commonly made of brass, copper, steel, or aluminum. Consider the functionality and aesthetics of your project when choosing the material and finish of your rivets. Brass and copper hardware are less likely to rust if they get wet, while steel may rust over time. You can choose rivets that blend in with your leather or select decorative rivets that add style to your design.
Functionality and Purpose
Consider the purpose and functionality of the rivets in your project. Rivets are used to secure multiple layers of fabric or leather together, providing a strong and durable connection. They are often placed in areas that undergo stress or tension, such as bag handles, belt loops, and pocket corners. Additionally, rivets can be used purely for decoration, adding a unique touch to your leatherwork.
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Prepare the leather
Before you begin the process of riveting your leather onto a seat pan, it is important to prepare the leather properly to ensure a secure and aesthetically pleasing finish. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing the leather:
Firstly, you need to select the appropriate type of rivet for your project. Common types include rapid rivets, double cap rivets, tubular rivets, copper rivets, and single cap rivets. Choose a rivet that suits the visibility of your project—if only one side will be visible, a single cap rivet will provide a finished look, whereas double cap rivets are ideal for two-sided projects. Copper rivets are a good choice if you require a sturdier finish.
Next, you need to mark the position of the holes on the leather. This step is crucial, especially if you want your design to look professional. The holes should be slightly larger than the diameter of the rivet posts to ensure a secure fit. Use a leather punch or an awl to create the holes, being careful not to make them too big, as the rivets could slip through.
Now, you can insert the rivets into the holes. Push the rivet post up through the underside of the leather, ensuring it is pushed from the less finished, lighter-coloured side. The rivet post should extend about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) above the surface of the leather. This step will ensure that your rivet sets properly and does not end up crooked or misaligned.
After inserting the rivet posts, place the leather piece on an anvil with the posts sticking up. You can purchase small anvils from leather working supply stores to accommodate the size of your project.
Finally, place the rivet caps on top of the posts. The caps should be lightly tapped with a hammer to ensure they are securely attached. For domed caps, use a rivet setter anvil to prevent deformation during the process.
By following these steps, you will effectively prepare the leather for riveting onto a seat pan, ensuring a secure and aesthetically pleasing finish.
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Create holes in the leather
To create holes in the leather for riveting, you will need to use a hole punch. There are different types of hole punches available, such as a manual punch or a rotary punch. A rotary punch is considered the most convenient and easiest tool for punching holes, as it has a rotating head with different punching blades to create holes of various sizes. With a manual punch, place the leather over a soft punching surface, such as a poundo board. Hold the punch straight up and down on the leather where you want to create the hole, then hit it with a mallet. For thicker leather, you may need to strike more than once.
When punching holes, it is important to ensure that they are the correct size. The hole should be big enough for the rivet post to fit through, but not so big that the rivet slips right through. For most rivets, a 1/8" diameter hole will be sufficient, but for larger rivets, such as copper rivets with washers, a bigger hole may be required.
If you are creating a design that you want to look professional, it is important to mark where you want the holes to be before punching. This will ensure that your rivets are placed accurately and symmetrically.
After punching the holes, you can then push the rivet post through the underside of the leather. Make sure that the rivet post is protruding the correct amount above the surface of the leather, typically about 1/8" (0.3 cm).
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Insert the rivets
To insert rivets, you must first punch a hole in the leather. The hole should be big enough for the rivet post to fit through, but not so big that it slips right through. You can do this by hand with an awl or with a leather punch. You can also use a rotary punch, which is the easiest and most convenient tool for punching holes. Place your leather over your poundo board or another soft punching surface. Hold your punch straight up and down on top of your leather and hit it with a mallet.
Next, push the rivet post up through the underside of the leather. Make sure you push it up from the bottom of the leather, or it will end up upside down. The rivet post should stick out about 1/8 inch (3mm) above the surface of the leather. If your post is at or below the level of the leather, the rivet won't crimp properly.
Now, place your leather piece on an anvil, with the bottom of the leather facing down and the post sticking up. You can buy small anvils from most leather-working supply stores. Place the rivet cap on top of the post.
Finally, position the rivet setter on top of the rivet, with the concave side facing down against the rivet cap. Hold the setter straight upwards and give it a few taps with a hammer. Check that your rivet is set securely. If you are a beginner, you might want to use a rivet setter kit, which includes the setter and different lengths of rapid rivets.
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Secure the rivets
To secure the rivets, you must first punch a hole in the leather. You can do this by hand with an awl or a leather punch, or use a rotary punch, which is the most convenient tool for this purpose. Place the leather over a poundo board or another soft punching surface, and hold the punch straight up and down where you want to create the hole. Hit the punch with a mallet—one strike should be enough, but thicker leather may require more force.
Next, push the rivet post up through the underside of the leather. Ensure that the rivet post is protruding by about 1/8 of an inch (0.3 cm) above the surface of the leather. If the rivet post is too short or too long, the rivet will not set properly.
Place your leather piece on an anvil, with the bottom of the leather facing down and the post sticking up. Put the rivet cap on top of the post. Position the rivet setter on top of the rivet, with the concave side facing down against the rivet cap. Hold the setter straight up and tap it a few times with a hammer.
Check that the rivet is set securely. If the rivet post or cap falls off when you pick up the piece of leather, reset them and give the setter a harder bang. For a rustic look, you can lightly tap the exposed post once it is set.
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