Snap fastner pliers

[bjennings79]

Can anyone recommend a good source for a pair of snap fastner pliers? The PO of my boat left a snap fastner kit in the boat for me, but the pliers have one of the handles broken completely off. The only ones that I have found in stores are just about the exact same pair, which I would like to avoid because apparantly they are crap. I don't need anything meant for professionals, so I'm not looking for a $100 kit. Just something that is durable. I'm thinking a craft store like Hobby Lobby might have something like this?


I need to repair the snaps on my carpet. As we were coming home from the lake today, the carpet apparantly came lose and broke about 6 or 8 snaps. Not sure whats up with that.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

check this out.............

http://search.sailrite.com/category/canvas-sailmaking-tools

woosterken

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

You can try places like JoAnn fabrics, etc.

they have the simple setting tools there, but I'm not sure about the pliers but it might be worth a look.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

The Press-N-Snap tool you want runs $100.

Take the carpet to an uphostery shop and have them put the snaps in for you. About $10.00. Why did they pull out? Did the snaps corrode (you need the nickel snaps, not SS)? Did they pull through the carpet? If so, you'll need a backing piece stitched in to reinforce the carpet. All common, easy fixes, but something ost people can't do at home.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

I think you'll find the 19.00 retail type all about the same, some have blue handles some have black handles, they're all pretty chinsy but unless your in the business it's all you really need, I bought the joe ann fabrics type and set the snaps around the perimeter of a bow cover I made and they're still going strong. Forget pliers if you need to set a snap anywhere but around the very edge.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

I bought one of these kits. The simple punch and disk method works great.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

+1 on the kit dingbat showed. You set the top of snap on the disk (the round part shown in the bottom of the picture), turn the fabric over, put on the bottom of the snap, place punch on and hit it with a hammer.

Cheap, simple, and all the snaps have held so far.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

+2 on the kit. I used one to add some snap fastners to our carpet to secure it better. I've also added snaps to the ends of our bimini boot cover because the ends flapped pretty bad when towing. I converted a kiddie bike trailer to tow beach stuff with my bike using an old boat cover and used the snap kit for that also. Works great if you have room to get something solid under material and hammer above.

 

[bjennings79]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

Will give the punch tool a try. I saw one in Home Depot yesterday for about 7 bucks. I will post some pics of my snaps that failed and maybe some can figure out why. One of them was already broken when we got it. I guess the wind got underneath the carped while we were trailering it and pulled the rest loose. I'm lucky the whole carpet didn't go flying out because there were only 3 or so left holding it in.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

Did the snaps corrode (you need the nickel snaps, not SS)?

Nickel plated snaps rust, Stainless steel ones do not.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

Nickel plated snaps rust, Stainless steel ones do not.

Not trying to create an argument, but I have been an upholsterer for 18 years and all I ever use is nickel snaps. They do not rust. The problem with SS (for the beginner) is the softness of them. When dealing with a punch/anvil set and SS snaps, one hit too many will cause them to cup and they will be extremely tough to get on and off. That's where the problem of them pulling through the material comes from. If you use the proper Press-N-Snap tool, that can be avoided with the correct pressure settings.

I have nickel snaps on my boat (they have been there for years) and they are exposed to salt and fresh water alike. The quality ones don't rust. The plain stamped steel snaps are the ones that rust.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

I was unaware that they made non-plated plain steel snaps. For indoor use only?

Years ago I used to make my own canvas covers and bags. I purchased the canvas from a local canvas shop (he was a buddy so he didn't mind selling me "parts"), and I got the snaps from a local marine supply store. They sure looked plated to me! I can't imagine a marina selling plain steel knowing they were going on a boat!

Nevertheless, it did take 20 years or so for them to rust. I replaced them with SS maybe 10 years ago and so far so good. I didn't realize they were softer.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

About 4-5 years ago, I went to colormatching snaps on my canvas jobs. You would not believe the comments from something simple as black, tan, green snaps in the same color canvas. For weird colors I stay with the polished nickel.

As far as marine stores selling steel snaps, most stores have employees that open the delivery boxes and hang the packets on the wall. I'm sure they don't know (or could care less) if they would rust or not.

 

[Fed]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

I've use the little punch & die kits and they're fine. A tiny amount of Vasolene keeps snaps working like new.

 

[bjennings79]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

Well I removed all of my carpet and replaced at least a dozen of the buttons. The button and socket had separated on every one of them. Several came apart when I was removing the carpet for repair. I guess someone did a poor job on the original install. I used the punch and it seems to have done a solid job. The kits that I found were on clearance for about $3 and had 6 sets of nickel plated brass snaps and the tool. Thanks everyone for steering me in the right direction.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

I got a package of snaps from the local family run hardware store, w/ no tool.

Used a nail set and a cedar board for the back up. Worked just fine.

Have nickel plated snaps on my 35 year old saltwater used bolt. Snap caps are a little dull but the underside is corroding and some have to be replaced.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

I too used the "kit"....worked PERFECTLY.....no need to spend all that loot on a tool....it literally takes a minute to use the "kit"....

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Snap fastner pliers

I too used the "kit"....worked PERFECTLY.....no need to spend all that loot on a tool....it literally takes a minute to use the "kit"....

This is the tool I use. Installs snaps as quickly as squeezing a pair if Vise-Grips. However, I usually install 30-100 at a shot. I also do jobs on boats or T-tops where striking things with a hammer and backer board are not an option.

The tool also comes with multiple dies for cutting holes in fabric, installing the snap caps, the snap barrels (the static male portion), vinyl venting plugs, and 1/2" nickel or brass grommets. So, in my line of work, it's a necessity.