How Do You Replace a Loose Rivet on a Bag?

Punch a clean hole, feed the post through so that a small amount stands above the leather, press the cap on and set it with the right setter and anvil. Tandy Leather, a leathercraft supplier, describes the method for double-cap rivets.

What Tandy says

• Double cap rivets: step 1, punch the hole; step 2, feed the post through the hole, with at least 1/16 inch standing above the leather but no more than 1/8 inch.
• Step 3: press the cap onto the rivet until it snaps into place.
• Step 4: use the setter and anvil to set the cap onto the post. For best results, place the anvil onto the outer cap and set it from the back of the rivet.
• Tools it lists include a mallet, a setter set and round drive punches.
• For rivets and burrs, it says to leave 1/8 inch of the post when cutting, and to place your hand over the pliers to stop the piece from flying out.

What to do

1. Remove any remnants of the old rivet.
2. Punch a clean round hole if the old one has torn.
3. Check the post length against the thickness of the layers.
4. Set the cap with a setter and a few firm taps.
5. Tug the handle to test it.

When a rivet is not the answer

If the leather around the hole is torn, a new rivet will not hold. A repairer can reinforce the area or move the position.

Where this answer stops

This is a supplier’s craft guide, and it describes the tools of a leather worker. A bag with a delicate finish or a designer hardware set may be better with a professional.