HOWTO: Flat Snap Plates

[WhiteNight[TK]]

So there are some howtos and tips for this already, still I wanted to offer a step by step howto:

 

First of all the reason why one would need Snap Plates lying as flat as possible on the surface of the armour: More surface = More contact, more contact = stronger joint/less tension.

 

You need of course some tools and materials:

 

 

I do not use variopliers, as these make a dome of the lower part of the snap and does not produce a flat surface. I use a hollow punch without the tip and put the metal bit that comes with the snaps in it instead. You can also use the plastic bit that usually comes with the snaps to hold the metal bit.

 

 

This is what we're heading for, a nice flat bottom on a snap plate:

 

 

 

Put the lower part of the snap on a flat hard surface, preferably a vice or an anvil etc.

 

 

 

Then put the lower part of the snap through the centered hole in the plastic plate.

 

 

 

Now put on top the higher part of the snap (this is a male snap, but it also works with a female snap. Just use the same lower part to attach it).

 

 

 

The sideview shows the plate does not lie flat on the vice.

 

 

 

Put the metal bit that came with the snaps into the snap.

 

 

 

Put the hollow punch with its open end over the bit. Or use the plastic bit that comes along the snaps to hold the metal bit.

 

 

 

Give it three or four punches with a hammer.

 

 

 

This is how the inside of the snap should look like now:

 

 

 

As you can see the snap plate lies flat and flush on the vice.

 

 

 

This is the result:

 

 

 

I hope you find this howto useful.

 

Also you can use this method to get your snaps through your plastic belt. I found the variopliers do not reach far enough to do the trick.

[Seeker[TK]]

Awesome! Where can we buy those extra little bits of tools? I never never seen those before.

[captsafe66[Admin]]

Nice tutorial!

 

Thanks!

[Darth Hilarious]

Awesome! Where can we buy those extra little bits of tools? I never never seen those before.

 

Here in Aussieland we just get them free with our snaps from Spotlight

I can't even find them on the internets!

Where does one buy these things?

[Seeker[TK]]

Thank you. So that's the brand? Spotlight?

[WhiteNight[TK]]

Thanks for the nice feedback!

 

 

Usually the bits come in the same blister as the snaps:

 

http://www.stoffe-he...ge_390198_2.jpg

 

They also come as bits with variopliers and those are not too expensive either.

 

 

All of the bits in one single blister:

 

 

 

This is the metal bit with which the snaps are punched:

 

 

 

Note how it is attached to the plastic bit that also comes with the blister:

 

 

You can use this instead of the hollow punch, by simply punching the top of the plastic with a hammer.

Edited December 9, 2020 by gmrhodes13
link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2020

[Darth Hilarious]

Thank you. So that's the brand? Spotlight?

Uh no, Spotlight is the store here in Straya where we buy them

 

All good though, Mathias provided a source because he's AWESOME

[Seeker[TK]]

Thanks great info. Thank you very much. Hope I could find something similar here in the states.

[MxPxRobbie[TK]]

I have done similar things (but more crude-looking) with a heat gun. I simply make the snap plate, then heat the whole thing up and push the plastic around the snap down so it sits flat. It's ugly, but I have never had one come off of my clone before.

[WhiteNight[TK]]

Ok, for all US troopers:

 

http://www.dritz.com/

 

This is the manufacturer of the snaps, so there shouldn't be a problem to get them in the US.

[MxPxRobbie[TK]]

Dritz is available all over the US at craft and hobby stores, even Walmart, and I have had no luck with them at all. Could be a different quality of metal in our version - but I have found them to be really weak and start to fail after only a few uses. I swapped all of my snaps to Tandy ones and have had no problems yet.

[Darth Hilarious]

failing?

Like coming undone, or breaking?

[WhiteNight[TK]]

Be sure not to take the regular ones, but the 'heavy duty' camping + outdoor snaps.

[MxPxRobbie[TK]]

failing?

Like coming undone, or breaking?

 

Like losing their ability to hold to the mating snap. I think the thin metal bends and the snap isn't as strong.

[MxPxRobbie[TK]]

Be sure not to take the regular ones, but the 'heavy duty' camping + outdoor snaps.

 

I think that's the problem, I've never seen any but the one type around here. The basic cheap ones.

[Seeker[TK]]

I'll buy the set just for the tools. I like that extra pieces that keep the hammering steady.