Lift the Dot Fasteners

[regalman190]

Next project is a bimini top and cockpit cover for a 36' Sabre Sedan Flybridge and looking for some advice.

The cockpit cover has lift the dot fasteners.

Is it best to install the sockets onto the cover at the boat, or at the shop based off of the pattern?

Thanks.

[Mike8560]

I do it o. The boat I won't out in any snap or whatever based on the pattern

[Pegasus2007]

Do them on the boat but make sure you have the hand held tool for hole cutting.

[Mike8560]

To get it just right like on a window on a enclosure I'll fit the cutter to over the  post
then I pull the canvas die in place and cut the hole

Never did a cover with All ltd s.  Cust s couple to hold it on in winds

[regalman190]

Thanks. I figured at the boat is best. I'll have to buy one of those hand tools since I only have the punch now. But there are too many on this boat to use the punch.

[Mike8560]

If your going to be doing any in the future it's a good tool to have.  I've for thebldt and turnbutton cutters

[fragged8]

hiya

Mike is spot on as usual, You really need the EZ tool for LTD's
All i seem to get here is turnbuttons and LTD's we have very few
boats with snaps all round.

Like Mike says slip the main hole of the cutter over the post and pull the cover into
the cutter and you will be pretty spot on for cutting the hole.

Can you imagine using a hand punch for lots of LTD's ?

you'd have to keep taking the canvas off for every LTD, also, there's no way
you can fit them in at the shop, they'd never line up.

Rich

[Mike8560]

There's a tool I think it's called a snapmaster.  Prety cubersome looking for a hand tool but it's suposed to cut and install ltds and turnbuttons  I'll bet you would have to cut then install a ltd not like a snap press done.  One can hope though

[Peppy]

I'd try my best to talk the guy into turnbuckles. LTD give me hives.

[Mike8560]

Tomme installing turnbuttons is just as bad as ldt s  but nonmovingnlarts tonbreak on ltd's

[DBR1957]

There's a tool I think it's called a snapmaster.  Prety cubersome looking for a hand tool but it's suposed to cut and install ltds and turnbuttons  I'll bet you would have to cut then install a ltd not like a snap press done.  One can hope though

We have a Snapmaster somewhere here in the shop. Don't bother with one
of those. Only good thing about it is you can install a fastener deeper into the
cover if need be. Changing the dies back and forth takes too long at the boat.

If you're doing benchwork, punching all the holes at once the setting the
fasteners it's ok for that. At the boat the EZ tool is the way to go. You won't
regret spending the money.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Upholstery_Tools/Cutters_and_Punches/E-Z_Tool_Hand_Punch/index.html

Here's the Snapmaster

http://www.sailrite.com/dot-snapmaster-hand-press

[Mike8560]

Dbr so it won't  cut teheran and setthe gromett like snaps on one shot ?
That's what I figured ond shot would be cool
thanks

[Peppy]

Mike- I tried your putting the EZ cutter on the turnbuckle and feeding the top through trick today. Dude! Thats awesome! One of those "How could I have never thought of that" moments. Super awesome tip, when you can use it. 4 of 10 turnbuckles I did today. But I can't wait till the next sailboat enclosure!

But doesn't the LTD just move the moving part (the spring) onto the canvas?

I thought the snapmaster looked a little to good to be true. There's this thing-

http://www.sailrite.com/Simple-Setter-for-Common-Sense-Lift-The-Dot-Fasteners

http://youtu.be/KvEoLSAIq9g

I want one whenever I do a boom cover. Not sure that it would work on the boat though.

[Mike8560]

But doesn't the LTD just move the moving part (the spring) onto the canvas?

your right. But I've seen to many teity parts o. A turnbutton bent and or falling off therefore I like
ltd s better  although I've seen some springs on them messed up but the fastner still holds sorta