No-Change Dies vs Professional-Grade Dies to Install KAM Snaps

KAMsnaps® offers 2 types of dies to install plastic snaps with your heavy duty KAM table press:

• 2pc no-change.  These are the dies also used in the pro-handheld and mini-table presses.
• 3pc professional-grade. Professional-grade dies don't fit the portable KX pro-handheld or mini-table press.

What's the primary difference? 

• The pro-dies have a dedicated die piece for the female vs male snap piece, which need to be switched out depending on which side of the snap you're installing.
• The no-change dies do not require switching dies.

 

Comparing the dies:

 

Summary

No-Change Dies:

Pros -

• Convenience - no need to switch out dies, 1 less die piece to keep track of
• Speed - makes installing a few snaps faster compared to pro-dies
• Less pressure needed - easier to flatten the snap prongs compared to pro-dies
• Can also be used in the KX8J pro-handheld and KX-T2 mini-table presses

Cons -

• May be a little less precise - top snap piece must be manually placed and aligned over fabric, resulting in greater potential for human error or less perfect-looking results
• Compared to the pro-grade dies, there is a greater risk of too much pressure being applied with the heavy duty table press and damaging the bottom cap die.
• Most people don't have this issue when using the appropriate snaps for their material and they aren't pressing down with all their might.
• There is alternative bottom cap die sold separately to prevent this issue. Please contact us to inquire.

 

Professional-Grade  Dies:

Pros -

• Precision -  top dies hold the the snaps in place, so there's less manual fidgeting and the top & bottom snaps are automatically aligned
• Speed - if installing high volume of snaps, may be faster compared to no-change dies
• Recommended if multiple presses are set up or if press is attached to kick pedal

Cons -

• Less convenient - 1 more die piece to track, requires switching top dies for male vs female snap pieces
• Compared to no-change dies, there is a greater risk of not enough pressure being applied - some may find it too difficult to apply the necessary pressure to flatten the snap prongs sufficiently
• Not compatible with other KAMsnaps presses

 

Some DK93 press bundles include the 3-piece professional grade dies with only the TOP no-change die:

KAM Professional Table Press for Snaps, Rivets, Grommets & Buttons (DK93) × 1
Green / Plastic Snaps Size 20 Professional & TopNo-Change Dies

That's because the pro-grade bottom die can be used with the no-change top die, as illustrated in the video tutorial: