HOBBY TRENDY Essential Rivet Setting Kit with Hand Press Machine, Rivet Dies and Hole Punch Review (2026)

Who this rivet press is built for

This kit is aimed at bag, belt and accessory makers who set rivets regularly enough that a hammer and anvil setup starts to feel slow or inconsistent. The hand press machine at the center of the kit applies even pressure with each pull of the handle, which matters when a project calls for a row of rivets that all need to look identical. Hobbyists who only set a rivet or two per project may find a simple two piece hand setter cheaper and easier to store, but anyone doing batches of bags, wallets or belts will appreciate the repeatability a press gives over hand tools.

What comes in the box

The kit centers on a manual press machine housing available in several colors, paired with a set of interchangeable rivet dies sized for common single and double cap rivets, plus a 2mm hole punch and hole punch base for preparing the material before setting. Hobby Trendy, the California based company behind the kit, also sells larger versions of this same press with more die sizes, so the dies included here cover a practical starting range rather than every size a shop might eventually need. The company markets the press as compatible with leather, canvas, tarp, tent fabric and cloth, which makes it useful for makers who work across more than one material and want a single setting tool for all of them.

Setting rivets with the press

In use, the hole punch and base prepare a clean opening in the material, then the rivet cap and post are seated in the matching die on the press before the handle is pulled to close the two halves evenly. Because the press does the clamping work instead of a hammer strike, the result is more consistent across multiple rivets, especially useful on visible rows along a strap or bag flap. The trade off is that the press sits on a bench or table rather than tucking into a tool roll, so it suits a home workshop or studio setup more than a portable kit bag that gets carried to markets or classes.

What is missing from the box

The most common complaint about this style of kit is that the rivets themselves are sold separately, so buyers need to order compatible caps and posts in the sizes the included dies are built for before they can set their first rivet. Against rivals like the Tandy Leather rivets and setter kit, which bundles sixty assorted rivets with a simpler two piece tool, this press kit leans toward makers who already have or plan to buy rivets in bulk and want a better setting tool rather than a one time starter pack aimed at a single small project.

How it stacks up and who should skip it

Compared with simpler options like the Worldity 14 piece rivet setter or the Utoolmart rivet base, this press kit costs more bench space but rewards that with faster, more even results on repeat work, which lines up with our score of 8.4 out of 10 for fit and features. Riveting kits that include a plier style press, such as the 240 piece rivet tool kit, trade some of that consistency for portability. If you only rivet occasionally or need something you can pack away in a drawer, a hand setter is the simpler choice. For anyone setting rivets in batches, this press earns its place on the bench.

Frequently asked questions