Installing snaps in Cavas.

[Brandon Yuchasz]

I have a few snaps I need to replace in some canvas this year and figured I would ask the brain trust what tools they use to install them when building spray shields and so on. I had a decent set punch type tool but lost half of it over the years. I made do last year with some punches I had but the stem sleeve or what ever its called that you peen over was not uniformed and I had some failures where it pulled through the cap and left the snap in two pieces. Ill spend money if need be but if there is a simple tool that is good for a few snaps at a time and does a good job of crushing the snaps into place and wont fail I am all for that as well.


Any help is appreciated guys. Ducks season is almost here!

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Brandon,

You really need the right tool to get the center stem to roll over as it should. I don't know the best place to buy but I'd recommend you spend the money and get a tool.

 

[Steve Steffy]

I picked my tool up at the local Joanna Fabrics. Any fabric store should sell them at a reasonable cost.

Steve

 

[Dave Diefenderfer]

You can find them at local fabric store, but they will not be for SS snaps if you are using them. I bought mine along with the snaps from Sailrite. I contemplated the nice press style, but in the end just bought the anvil and punch.

 

[Chris S.]

When I did my dodger with the snaps I used the anvil and punch. My local hardware store had it in stock but not stainless snaps. I ordered the snaps from eBay. The anvil and punch was less then $10 if I remember.

 

[Brandon Yuchasz]

Thanks guys. That is what I was trying to determine if the anvil and plate was acceptable or if I needed some of larger tools. I still have plenty of the SS snaps left over just need to go through and replace the ones that did not get rolled over correctly. Starting to think about getting the boat ready.

 

[rick ervin]

snap tool i just did all my canvas with the proper tool that i bought from Home depot 10.00 works great

 

[Tony H]

Brandon. I have a snap press its the cats meow. Looks like a big c clamp. Punches the hole and everything with the squeezing of your hand.

 

[Brandon Yuchasz]

Tony. I have no doubt it is but I think I'll go with the 10$ version for now.

 

[Bill Burruss]

Snap kit (snaps plus the punches) from Home Depot worked fine for me.

-Bill

 

[art]

I have a few snaps I need to replace in some canvas this year and figured I would ask the brain trust what tools they use to install them when building spray shields and so on. I had a decent set punch type tool but lost half of it over the years. I made do last year with some punches I had but the stem sleeve or what ever its called that you peen over was not uniformed and I had some failures where it pulled through the cap and left the snap in two pieces. Ill spend money if need be but if there is a simple tool that is good for a few snaps at a time and does a good job of crushing the snaps into place and wont fail I am all for that as well.


Any help is appreciated guys. Ducks season is almost here!

Brandon,

The reason the snap pulls through the canvas, is you are pulling up on the "tag end" of the canvas where the snap is.

I too had the same issue with snaps on my Boston Whaler mooring cover, but a canvas fabricator showed me how to "pull DOWN" on the tag end of the canvas, while lifting the snap with the other hand. It unsnaps real easy and NO damage.

Good Luck!

Art