Need Advice on Snaps

[lamx]

I have been doing upholstery since the early '70's, but mostly furniture and cars so I have almost zero experience with snap fasteners. I went to fit my first and last boat cover yesterday morning and install the snaps.  When I removed the cover after installing the first 16 snaps, four  of the sockets  stayed with the boat.



I didn't have any trouble installing the snaps using the tool that came with a previous package of snaps and a button press. Although, looking at this photo, it doesn't appear to make a nice, even swedge all around the circumference - that could produce a weak connection.



I have another tool that makes a flatter swedge but no larger in diameter.



I am using standard action nickel buttons and sockets from Rochford, items 1825 and 1830.
Are these snaps strong enough for this type of work?
I am installing the snaps in boat cover fabric and  canvas binding.  Should I be using the long buttons instead of standard length?
Would stainless snaps be stronger?
Any advice? Thanks in advance.  I don't want to have to go replace a handful of snaps every time they remove the cover!

Ed

[SHHR]

From looking at your first pic, you may want to try the longer stem snaps. Also, from what you said you're using a tool that came with a package of snaps? Is it a little anvil and a die to hit with a hammer? If so you'll get a better result using a press and snap tool. If you don't have one or want to invest in one now, check with you supplier and see if they carry a set of snap dies that fit on the end of vise grips.  They work pretty good too other that you can't set a snap very deep from the edge of material. I use both the press and snap, and also have the vise grip dies and have never had a snap pull off, but did before when I used the "provided tool" in a package of snaps that you could get at a hardware store.
Kyle

[Peppy]

Ya, if your going to do many snaps buy a press'n'snap. But an anvil/die will work if your not doing many. Are you punching a hole first? Even a regulator pushed through, then the snap stem pushed through should help. I don't see anything wrong with your second pic. Are you useing nylon  webbing? I don't think you need long barrel snaps, I only use them for carpet.

[Peppy]

And now for some unsolicited advice- how to post clickable thumbnail pictures;

When your looking at your Photobucket album, above a picture it says 'edit/move/share/delete' click share.

Then click 'get link code'

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Be sure to save!

The IMG clickable thumb code will now appear under your pictures in your album.

ps- if you want a picture on your posts (like me in the goofy hat <--- ) use 'Direct link for layout pages' and go into your profile here on the forum and into 'Forum Profile Information' and put it in the 'I have my own pic' hole.

[baileyuph]

(I tried to copy your top photo, which I am referencing.  Guess I need computer training) :)

Ed, I believe my marine eyelets when installed display a larger washer than the one in this photo.  The larger washer will enable a tighter installation.

Yours may have the washer or the same but I am not sure.

Doyle

[fragged8]

hiya

these may help you,

installing with a punch and die
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QyUuApLSjg

installing with a Snap n Press tool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o87XwACWlOc

installing with a snapmaster tool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuwsXa0-1ko

and to prove a 10year old kid can do it :-)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4729792605380046654#

snaps i can do , it's everything else i have trouble with hehehe.

i have no idea how good this tool is but its cheap..
http://www.wholesalemarine.com/pc/S-S-50048257/130000/Canvas+Fasteners/Canvas+Snap+Fastener+Installation+Tool.html

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/S-S-50048258/73+Piece+Canvas+Snap+Fastner+Kit.html

this looks like a better type, between the cheapo and the press n snap tool. I have seen these without
the kit much cheaper. i wouldn't mind one as a back up tool
http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/S-S-50048263/

without the kit
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V0AXMC/ref=asc_df_B002V0AXMC1256864?smid=A1KNTHT5NNVDUC&tag=dealtmp5150-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B002V0AXMC

amazing what you find when you look, this looks like a good deal.
read the customer reviews.....
http://www.amazon.com/Grommet-Rivet-Tarps-Complete-Pieces/dp/B0017L0G8M/ref=pd_sbs_sg_3

[ThrowMeAPillow]

STOP the music! STOP the Music!!!

It looks as though you put the 'male part of the snap on the cover and the 'female' part must be attached to the boat.  (not sure from the picture)

the MALE part is attached to the boat and the female part to the cover

[JuneC]

It's the Rochford snaps.  The brass post on the button caps is too soft but you could maybe get away with using long barrel snaps.  Also, I'd recommend the boat owner lube his snap studs. 

Hi TMAP (sorry, ThrowMeAPillow is too long for my lazy bones to type) - welcome to the board!  He's got the correct parts in the correct piece.  That first pic is the squashed barrel on the underside of a snap cap after the socket came off.  The other 2 are sockets for sure (no sign of a screw in there). 

June

[Darren Henry]

My quess is you've over set them.This will drive the "mushroom" right through the socket Try a smaller hammer.

[lamx]

My quess is you've over set them.This will drive the "mushroom" right through the socket Try a smaller hammer.

I am not using a hammer - never had much success that way. I modified the tool so it fits in my button press and am pressing the snaps, rather than smacking them with a hammer.  My theory was that the button press would provide more even pressure than hammer blows. That could still be the problem, The button press probably exerts considerably more pressure than the typical hammer whack.

I did find another snap setting tool in my collection (amazing what you can gather up in 40 years!). It's the plier type, not vise grip, but it splits the button shank into about 6 pieces and spreads them out like a dead octopus. This doesn't seem like it would be as strong as the mushroom type swedge and I have had instances where the button would not seat all the way down onto the stud because there was too much metal in the base.

Lots of good advice here and I thank each and every one of you for taking the time to share your experience.  I will probably try several of the suggestions to begin with - less pressure, cleaning corrosion off the studs and lubing them, and using the tool that provides the larger, flatter swedge.  If those don't solve the problem, I'll try longer snaps from a different supplier.

Ed

[Darren Henry]

Ed, I need to apologize for being a bit brusque this morning but I was running late for work and you've read about my typing prowess LOL. I should have had my lunch made in the time it took to type/ retype that. I have had the same thing happen to me using my press and snap tool . Too much tension and I'll bend the socket until the swedge  passes right through the hole.Sorry if I sounded flippant.

[lamx]

No offense taken.  Your answer was concise and clearly stated a possiblecause and solution to my problem. I appreciate your assistance.

Ed

[lamx]

Seems like snaps are my bugaboo.  Now, I am making blackout curtains for a cabin cruiser.  The curtains will be the exact size and shape of the windows and the owner wants snaps to fasten the curtains using the window frame screws (or at least the same holes). The window frame screws are #10 and the heads are too large to fit inside my Line 24 snaps.  The easiest answer would be to find one size larger snap but I have been searching for days with all my suppliers, all the suppliers advertising on this forum, ebay, amazon, and a google search and have not found any snaps larger than line 24.  Is there a snap larger than line 24 (5/8 diameter cap)?  If so, where could I find them?

If I can't find a larger snap, what are my options?  The owner is dead set against Velcro, which was the first thing I suggested before the snap issue even came up.

- Grind down the heads on the existing #10 screws so they fit into my snaps. We're talking at least 50 screws.
- Find #10 screws with smaller heads. I have tried all the local hardware stores and West Marine with no success.  All the #10 screws have the same diameter heads.
- Suggest a different method of attaching the curtains besides snaps or velcro.  Possibly permanently fixed to the top of the window frame and have have the curtain roll up and be held up by a couple of tabs with snaps

I'm open to any and all ideas, I want to get paid!

Ed

[JuneC]

How long do the screws need to be?  There are oversized snap studs with a #10 screw shank that, as I recall, is 5/8" long.  If that's not long enough, a square drive wood screw should have a smaller diameter head than regular oval head screws.

June

[lamx]

Thanks, June.  The screws need to be 1 1/4" long so 5/8" won't work.  I thought I checked out every screw in a local well-stocked hardware store but maybe I missed the square drive screws. I'll look again. 1 1/4" #10 screws would be the cheapest way out.

Thanks,
Ed