How to put the accessories?
During your work creating leather objects, the installation of accessories is often necessary: eyelets, press studs, chicago screws, press studs….
Each accessory must be fitted with a suitable tool and installation set. There are several tools for installing an accessory: striking tool, manual press pliers and the bench press.
Holes must be made beforehand on the location of each accessory with round punches to hit.
Deco Cuir offers you this choice guide explaining the different methods of installing accessories .
We have produced several videos to guide you in installing certain accessories:
- 3 methods to install a press stud
- The different types of eyelets and their installation methods
- 3 methods for installing a single or double cap rivet
- How to put a rivet to put down?
- How to put a collar button?
Here are the different installation tools that exist, their advantages and disadvantages:
1. WITHOUT USING SPECIAL TOOLS
Some accessories can be installed without specific tools or with a simple screwdriver. It's the case for :
- The magnetic tops
- Round claw eyelets
- The Chicago Screws
- The collar buttons
Accessory prices: these accessories are the most expensive because they are made up of more parts and are produced in limited quantities. Nevertheless, the fact of fitting accessories without using special tools allows you to dismantle them to reuse them on a new piece of leather or to put them back better.
Tool price: there is no specific tool for installing them. The use of a screwdriver, a cutter or a hammer may sometimes be necessary.
Ease of installation: these accessories have been developed for do-it-yourselfers, their installation is generally easy.
Installation quality: Deco Cuir has selected well-designed accessories for you, they offer satisfactory installation quality.
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2. USING THE HITTING TOOL
Price of accessories: the accessories to be fitted with an impact tool are generally identical to those used with the pliers or with the press. These are also the same accessories as those used in industry, mass-produced and therefore not very expensive. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the material used (under the surface finish). In steel, they are economical but can oxidize after some time and damage your creation. In brass, a little more expensive, they will not rust and your creation will keep its shine for a long time. Deco Cuir mainly offers brass accessories.
Tool price: the tools are generally quite simple and mass produced. This makes them economical products. The installation is done by deformation of the metal called matting. After installation, the accessory is no longer removable. Be careful, however, not to take low-end tools made of poor quality steel which will wear out very quickly. It is necessary to have a work surface of good resistance so as not to cause vibrations with each blow of the hammer and to correctly transmit the power of the strike to the accessory. Some tools can be used on several sizes of the same accessory.
Ease of installation : the installation is not very difficult, however it is necessary to be comfortable in the handling of the hammer, tests beforehand are necessary to master the gesture. It is necessary to use a heavy hammer of at least 500g in order to install the accessories more easily. Prefer wooden mallets which do not damage your tools unlike steel mallets. Note that the use of the hammer is a source of noise pollution for your neighbors or may prevent children from sleeping.
Installation quality : proper use of this tool is necessary to guarantee satisfactory installation quality for your accessories.
Note :
- Requires having the right hitting gesture on the accessory with the appropriate power
- Possibility of having differences in appearance between several accessories to be placed next to each other.
3. USE THE BLUE MANUAL PRESS CLAMP
Accessory prices: the accessories to be installed with the blue manual press pliers are generally identical to those of the striking tool or the bench press. These are also the same accessories as those used in industry, mass-produced and therefore very expensive. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the material used (under the surface finish). Made of steel, they are economical but can oxidize after some time and damage your creation. In brass, a little more expensive, they will not rust and your creation will keep its shine for a long time. Deco Cuir mainly offers brass accessories.
Tool price: this laying technique requires the purchase of a versatile plier with interchangeable laying set. the initial investment is moderate. Count 40€ for the pliers + about ten € per installation set which must be adapted to the accessory to be installed.
Ease of installation: little effort to install the accessories (except snap button diameter 12). The use of an installation set adapted to the accessory ensures that it is well positioned in the tooling before installation and remains well guided in the axis during the crimping operation. The use of a lever clamp makes it possible to control the force that is delivered manually on the accessory in order to achieve the correct tightening. Please note that the shape of the pliers does not allow accessories to be placed in the center of large pieces of leather. It should also be noted that the force required to apply the 12 diameter snaps requires a certain amount of force in the hands. If this is not your case, the use of the bench press is recommended. This tool makes it possible to install the accessories without noise which can be an advantage when you do DIY in the evening at home.
Installation quality: this piece provides good, controlled tightening when installing your accessories, which allows for optimum installation quality. Note that this clamp can only be used on small accessories. Large eyelets or large press studs cannot be placed with the pliers.
Note: example of accessories to fit with the blue manual press pliers: Simple rivets, double cap or rhinestones, eyelets, magnetic tops to rivet, simple and mini press studs. Check the availability of installation sets to find out if an accessory can be installed with the clamp. 
4. USE THE BENCH PRESS
Accessory prices : the accessories to be installed with a bench press are generally identical to those used with the pliers or with the striking tool. It is also the same accessories as those used in the industry, manufactured in large series so not very expensive. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the material used (under the surface finish). In steel, they are economical but can oxidize after some time and damage your creation. In brass, a little more expensive, they will not rust and your creation will keep its shine for a long time. Deco Cuir mainly offers brass accessories.
Tool price : it is a professional and quality tool. The purchase of an established press must be considered as an investment which must be amortized over the long term. There are several press sizes. The bigger it is, the more powerful it will be, therefore suitable for installing large accessories. There are also several forms. Size 3 with its raised base allows accessories to be placed on pieces that are already closed by placing the leather on them. The presses also make it possible to make holes by replacing the laying sets with punches adapted to the press and a brass anvil called "TAS". Be careful however, the small presses (2 and 3) will not be able to make large diameter holes (generally greater than 12 mm) but this depends on the firmness and thickness of the leather. There are pose sets for presses from €15 and drill bits from €5.
Ease of installation : this tool allows you to install your accessories noiselessly and like a professional. The use of an installation set adapted to the accessory ensures that the latter is well positioned in the tooling before installation and remains guided in the axis during the crimping operation.
Quality of the installation : the bench press has a great pressure force which allows accessories to be installed with perfect clamping. The rotating handle that lowers the installation set allows you to control the force that is applied to your accessory.
Note : If you have already invested in a blue manual press clamp before adopting the press and you already have pose sets, there is an adapter that allows the clamp pose sets to be used on the press. established. 
