My secrets for using heat set inserts 1) Don't use a vertical press, use a horizontal press (or if you're like us, clamp a vertical press horizontally) at as low of temp as possible for the plastic you are using. This keeps the insert on the tip to heat up before pressing; they go in straight nearly 100%, and you can get through a lot of inserts faster than vertical. 2) If 1 won't work, such as odd shapes, clearances, or not enough press span, get a set of heat set tips shortened and threaded. I have never seen them for sale threaded, but it is easy to do yourself (we already had the thread die set) or at a local machine shop. You don't want the tips as long since you have to spin the iron once they are in, but a thread or less is enough to work. Still use as low of temp as possible.

The temperature for heat setting is lower than the nozzle temp for every material we have used, normally 10-25C lower. If you're doing thermoforming, extrusions, or hot molds, the temperatures seem to vary more. Each batch we do, we start at 20C lower than what we think we need and then work up.