This setter worked exactly as described. The included instructions were easy to follow. I have used the old fashioned 2 piece setters with a hammer and this was definitely easier. I purchased this with 5/8" stainless steel snaps and this setter handled them with ease. I used this setter and SS snaps to put snaps on my gazebo top because the top always comes loose from the wind and the hooks and straps wear out. I installed the snaps on the cover while it was on the gazebo and it was infinitely easier with this tool while standing on a ladder. I'm very happy with this product and my gazebo looks great. I will use this on other projects as well.

This tool is basically a pair of vice grips with the snap die's welded to the vice teeth - and that's not a bad thing. This tool did a nice job installing snaps on a marine Sunbrella canvas boat cover. Note, this tool only compresses the bottom snap into the top part of the snap. It does not cut pilot holes or do anything else. Therefore, you 'must' pierce the material within which you are inserting the snap first. This is especially important if you are installing snaps along an edge or seam that has reinforcement material. Don't think you will be able to make your pilot hole with a nail or pin. You really need to make the pilot hole the same size as the male portion of the snap to get a good fit. I recommend the following hole punch which is adjustable to various sizes to accommodate your snap size.

Revolving Punch Plier Kit, Punch Hole Tool including Punch Plier, Brass Pad, Screwdriver and Grinding Rod for Belt, Saddle, Watch Strap, Shoe, Fabric, Paper, etc

Here are the steps I recommend to install snaps in canvas fabric:
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0. Test compressing a snap before you work on your fabric. You don't need to test on frabric, just get a feel for the setter tool by creating a snap from the two snap halves. This will have the benefit of getting you familiar with the tool but also allow you to adjust the compression of the tool via the thumb screw adjustment. You should be able to compress the snap halves without having to be a body builder
1. Use hole punch of the proper size to accommodate your snap size (seriously, don't skimp on this step)
2. Insert base of snap (male size) through hole in fabric
3. Place top of snap over base of snap (the fabric should now be sandwiched between the two snap halves
4. Place the setter tool over the snap halves in the proper orientation (Note: Make sure the setter tool is loosened by backing out the adjustment thumb screw until you can reasonably compress the snap without having to apply too much pressure). If you can't squeeze close the setter tool then the thumb screw is in too far ... back it out.
5. Tighten the thumb screw and compress the snap a second time. This will give you the tight fit you need for the snap. When installed properly, the snap should not spin if you try to rotate it. After a few tries you should be able to loosen and tighten the setter tool properly without much effort.

Once you get a feel for the tool and this process, you should be able to whip through all your snaps in no time.

Worked well

I was a little disheartened by the fact that I needed to pay $40+ for a "OK" quality snap installer. To me, it seems these should be around $20. Either way this proved to work flawlessly to install the snaps in my new Dowco bimini for my boat. I even set the snaps in the reinforcement strip along the edge. I also got the revolving punch plier set and it worked great. I advise getting both to ensure you don't have any issues, especially going through both the canvas and the reinforcement strip. Here's the punch I purchased:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRDBGY6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I purchased this to use on a replacement mooring cover for my pontoon. It fit the size 24 snaps perfectly, but I suspect it would not easily fit another size. While a simple tool in design, it does what it says it will do: install snaps. It takes about 3-4 good squeezes to properly crimp the spike that holds the 2 snap pieces together, with about a 1/4 turn of the adjustment screw to tighten some between each crimping. It does not punch a hole in the fabric so you will need another tool for that. You can eventually get into a rhythm, but with so many snaps to install, I couldn't help but think there was a better tool for the job that would cost less than $200. If you have arthritis in your hands, you won't use this tool much. This is simply a set of vice grips with a couple of steel components spot-welded to it, but it certainly does work, and may well last forever.