Wanted. Tonneau snap attachment tool.

Anybody have a tool for attaching the snaps to a tonneau cover?

$12 looks like pliers at a local fabric store....

The price has gone up a bit Alan..... Mine was $18.00 and change....

I have that one, but I'm looking for a commercial quality one, because it can't compress the commercial quality marine grade snaps I was able to find.

I got one from a boat top shop. It came in a kit with a couple dozen snaps. Less than 10 bucks. Made of aluminum, the round, finished part sits in a sort of a dish, assemble snap, and bang on the other steel piece with a hammer. It mushrooms it together, if you know what I mean. I sit it on the anvil part of my vice, and one or two shots does it. My snaps are chrome plated brass, the good ones.

The commercial grade one is expensive....

i know you didnt ask, but for those who are thinking about tennax - they screw (front/back) and come with a cool little tool

I've found that the tool that Danny described lasts for about 4-5 snaps and it distorts the cap stem in an un-natural sort of manner.

These are pretty good:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=snap+installer+tool&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1001&bih=516&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1880133955768451991&sa=X&ei=WZxST5S_GI-2tweDlunVDQ&ved=0CHcQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers

These are great but expensive:

http://www.sailrite.com/Pres-N-Snap-Fastener-Tool

and these are what I carry in my Road Toolbox:

http://www.sailmakerssupply.com/prod_detail_list/43

(scroll down to "Die Set for Snap Installation")

I got the vise grips at Sears (plain old 10S grips)

The advantage of the second two is that you can infinitely regulate the amount of crush pressure and that it is always consistent once set. Every snap installs the same.

Mine looks just like this: http://www.savvyboater.com/s-28-how-to-replace-a-snap-on-boat-canvas-using-punch-anvil.aspx


8 bucks: http://www.savvyboater.com/store/p/16452-Boat-Cover-Replacement-Snaps-10-Pack.aspx

Gordon, I have tool 60531, $2.84, what a great deal! It lives in my Spyder toolbag, just in case. If you don't have a hammer, a roadside rock will do!

I remember seeing a kit in either Home Depot or Lowes in the hardware aisle.

~WB

After I posted my wanted post, I found the same thing that Gordon has, they attach to vice grips and were only $16.95. I also ordered a bunch of "Lift-the-Dot" plates, sockets and studs. I always thought they were Tenax and could never find them when I would search for Tenax and now I know why.

If you don't know what "Lift-the Dots" are, here is a picture and here is the link to where I ordered them.
http://www.perfectfit.com/15333/154466/Lift--the--Dot-Fasteners/Lift--The--DOT-Sockets.html