Darth_Finger Posted September 17, 2009 Report Posted September 17, 2009 What kind of tools are you guys using for snaps? I bought Tandy snaps and the hammer and pin method does not work all that great. Is there a recommend tool here in the States that I can buy? I am thinking of using vinyl for the snap plates, is there a recommend size? Thanks guys Quote
bluehickey Posted September 17, 2009 Report Posted September 17, 2009 Hammer and pin method worked fine with my Tandy snaps. Did you make sure to get the right pin size? Quote
Darth_Finger Posted September 17, 2009 Author Report Posted September 17, 2009 Yeah its the pin that came with them. Really have to becareful hammering it. To hard and they come out sideways. Quote
TK-7980 Posted September 17, 2009 Report Posted September 17, 2009 Come out sideways? Could you show me what you mean? Quote
bluehickey Posted September 17, 2009 Report Posted September 17, 2009 Yeah its the pin that came with them. Really have to becareful hammering it. To hard and they come out sideways. Yes, that happened to me as well. You have to watch the angle that you hold the pin at as you hit it with the hammer. Trust me, I was so glad to be done with the 'snap' phase of assembly, it's not too fun. Quote
Darth_Finger Posted September 17, 2009 Author Report Posted September 17, 2009 Come out sideways? Could you show me what you mean? I will try and take a pic tonight. What happends is the 2 parts dont line up just right. Snaps have got to be the hardest part so far of my armor build. These Tandy snaps are tough. They hold together really tight. Hope to pick up some vinyl soon so I can make the snap plates. The left over plastic for the strips are not big enough. Quote
Wren Posted September 17, 2009 Report Posted September 17, 2009 To apply 5/8" snaps, I use a Dritz heavy duty plier kit, which can be found at Jo-Ann and Michael's craft stores. It's a little pricey, but it makes snap applications a snap. Hope this helps! 1 Quote
Darth_Finger Posted September 17, 2009 Author Report Posted September 17, 2009 which one did you get? I bought one but for some reason it doesnt work with the Tandy snaps. Quote
SuperTrooper Posted September 17, 2009 Report Posted September 17, 2009 You have to get the 5/8 snap pliers, and they will work with the line 24 Tandy snaps. As long as your work is close to the edge it makes snaps a breeze. Quote
Wren Posted September 17, 2009 Report Posted September 17, 2009 It's a Dritz plier kit. I overlooked the fact that you are using Tandy snaps. (I am uncertain if Dritz pliers would work). Dritz seems to be very popular in craft stores, and I am very impressed with the quality of their snaps and pliers. Anyway, the Dritz pliers that I am using are model 24P. (They work with 5/8" snaps). Quote
Wren Posted September 17, 2009 Report Posted September 17, 2009 Doh! SuperTrooper beat me to it! Quote
Darth_Finger Posted September 17, 2009 Author Report Posted September 17, 2009 I think that is where i went wrong, I didnt buy the 24p snap pliers. Thanks for the info guys Quote
Darth_Finger Posted September 17, 2009 Author Report Posted September 17, 2009 It's a Dritz plier kit. I overlooked the fact that you are using Tandy snaps. (I am uncertain if Dritz pliers would work). Dritz seems to be very popular in craft stores, and I am very impressed with the quality of their snaps and pliers. Anyway, the Dritz pliers that I am using are model 24P. (They work with 5/8" snaps). I bought both Dritz and Tandy snaps. I notice that the pin in the middle is longer on the Tandy then the Dritz. Not sure if that makes a big difference or not. Going to look for the 24p and some vinyl tonight Quote
Wren Posted September 18, 2009 Report Posted September 18, 2009 I am converting my armor from a velcro and strap system to an elastic and snap setup, and it is about 75% finished. I am so impressed with the Dritz snaps and feel very confident that they will be more than durable for trooping, etc. As for the plastic squares used to affix the snaps to the armor, I took some advice here and simply sacrificed a couple white, Rubbermaid trash cans from Home Depot (they were $3.00 each). It works very well. Quote
Daetrin[Admin] Posted September 18, 2009 Report Posted September 18, 2009 I used the dritz snaps exclusively on my first FX and they worked w/o fail. Even in a 5 mile march. Even with a few downs of football. Quote
Darth_Finger Posted September 18, 2009 Author Report Posted September 18, 2009 So frustrating when stores are out of product. Couldnt find the 24p pliers last night. I really want to try that vinyl plastic for the snap plates. Thought I saw a thread some where about using the vinyl. Quote
jreed1701 Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 I'm having this issue too. Hammering doesn't work. Do the Dritz pliers work? Quote
pandatrooper[TK] Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 This is how I do mine.https://youtu.be/Xd7a52Uww0E?t=434 Quote
Cowboy Kylo[501st] Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 Hammer and pin worked great once I realized I needed to have an extremely hard surface underneath. I use the flat section of my work bench vice Quote
andylah[TK] Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 I make sure I have a piece of webbing under the anvil bit and make sure I do it on solid concrete floor. Hit it a few times to line it up and then repeat with power. Quote
pandatrooper[TK] Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 Walk the pin around with light strikes before you smash the setting tool down hard. If you hit the tool too hard right from the start, it can set crooked. Quote
Strength Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 I use the plier tool. Makes the process go smother. Just make sure you get ones that fit your snaps. They have a code on the snaps that you match with the pliers. TK 31201 : Star Garrison : North Texas Squad Quote
CptCasey[TK] Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 I found the Dritz 24p pliers worked really well for the male half of the Tandy snaps. I couldn't get it to work with the female half. So it at least makes half the work easier. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
Strength Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 Wwwhhhhoooaaaa, you're half way there! I found the Dritz 24p pliers worked really well for the male half of the Tandy snaps. I couldn't get it to work with the female half. So it at least makes half the work easier. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk TK 31201 : Star Garrison : North Texas Squad Quote
TD42115[501st] Posted September 22, 2016 Report Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) this is what i use, works perfect every time.. Ive now done 5 suits with this my own and 4 local members.. Great for making snap plates and goes through abs and 1/4 inch aluminum and steal with ease.. -------- Edited January 7, 2022 by gmrhodes13 link not working removed Quote
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