Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

[pullin]

I've been looking at canvas snap kits from Defender and ********. I'm trying to find the type you'd use to snap two sections of canvas together. They all seem to be for snapping canvas to something solid (fiberglass or windshield). I guess I'd call them "female" and "male" parts, and I don't see any kits with a way to attach the "male" part to another piece of canvas.

Has anybody done this? It's a fairly simple addition I'm adding, and I'd prefer not taking it to an expensive upholstery shop. (Also prefer not doing this with zippers).

Thanks for any help on this. I hope the explanation makes sense.

On edit: Oops, didn't realize I should avoid company names. My apologies.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

iboats sells canvas to canvas fasteners canvas - iboats however, you might be better served if you visit an awning shop (a local one)and have a zipper or velcro installed.

Canvas to canvas is usually done by having a zipper in panel. It depends on where the two pieces are used.

 

[doyall]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

... I guess I'd call them "female" and "male" parts, and I don't see any kits with a way to attach the "male" part to another piece of canvas. ...

The female part is called a 'cap with socket' and the male part is called an 'eyelet with stud'. (A 'screwstud' is what is screwed into a solid surface with a screwdriver.) Make sure you get rust proof parts. You will need a special tool to attach either item to canvas. Depending on the snaps you buy you may even need two different tools. If you are going to attach a lot of snaps, invest in good tools. Just been there, done that.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

Ayuh,.... To do what ya wanta do,... Ya gotta use These,...

With both 1 of these,....

Or 1 of these,...

Dependin' which side yer assemblin',...

But that said, I agree with Bob,...

A Zipper is a much Better instrument for that application,...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

As I do this type of work (one of those "expensive upholstery shops" ), I would recommend the professional installation of the snaps. Once you buy the SS snaps, caps, and studs (with backing plates) AND the $125 Press-N-Snap tool, you could have the shop install (and warranty) their work for a fraction of the cost. Setting those snaps in by yourself without the tool would require you removing both sections of the canvas and doing it on a workbench surface. That's a time consuming job. A shop can do it on the boat in about 30 minutes.

That being said, snaps don't have the holding power that a zipper has. If you want holding power in snaps, you'll have to buy locking snaps which can only be removed by pulling the snap in a certain direction (like the Lift-the-Dot fastener). I'm not sure of any place that sells them to the public, but you may be able to find it online.

If you take both pieces down to do the snaps yourself, just take the canvas to a shop, marked out where you want the zipper to start & stop, and you're proble looking at about $25 labor plus the cost of the separating zipper. We're not as expensive as you might think.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

velcro strips sew in

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

When my custom canvas was made for my boat from the old pattern/old canvas, the canvas company gave me the tool that allowed be to install all the snaps.
Not wanting a zipper is going to be really tough, because it is the best application for what you seem to want to do. All of my sections, side curtains, back enclosure have zipper systems. I would think anything else would not be weather proof. Perhaps a picture of what you are needing would help.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

This is the tool that Fireman431 is referring to:
Press-N-Snap (Aluminum) for Installing Fastener, Air Equipment, Upholstery Tools, Pliers for Baby Clothing Snaps, Press-N-Snap (Aluminum) for Installing Fastener from Rochford Supply - Your Online Textile and Upholstery Superstore!

Don't even bother doing it without this tool. I own one myself since I do some of my own canvas work.


Make sure you buy stainless ones. They are in the drop down menu:
Snap Fastener Buttons, Apparel Snaps, Fasteners, Sew-On Snaps, Snap Fastener Buttons from Rochford Supply - Your Online Textile and Upholstery Superstore!

 

[pullin]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

Sorry I was away from the thread for so long. I really appreciate the replies.

For everyone who mentioned zippers, I understand they'd probably be better overall, but I'm trying to "bridge" a small, non-load-bearing gap in the rear window (Isenglas?). I changed the rear bimini poles (bows?) to raise the whole top a couple of inches. I had gotten tired of ducking while I walked around the rear. This makes a gap in the back canvas-to-stern area. I'm getting a piece of matching material sewn to fit this strip, and was planning to bridge the gap with a dozen or so snaps. (attach "bridge" strip horizontally across stern area, and then snap the hanging rear canvas to it.) It's not really going to be tight, I just want it to stop flapping in the breeze.

Fireman431: I hope I didn't sound snarky with the "expensive upholstery shop" quote. I'm actually spending quite a bit at one of those since I'm getting the seats recovered. It's the most expensive shop here, but the work they've done for me in the past is exceptional (ya git whatcha pay for, right?). I figured I could probably install this small strip while they have the seats in the shop.

Thanks also to everyone with the links. I wasn't sure where to find the stuff I needed.

Also, I took your suggestion about asking my upholstery shop to help with the snaps (or zipper). The estimator chuckled and said if it was that small a job, just bring it with me (marked) and they'd do it in a couple of minutes, gratis. I guess a 4-figure check (for the seats) puts everyone in a good mood.:joyous:

I hunted around for some pics, and these aren't great, but you can see how the snaps on the very rear don't reach easily. I'm just trying to close that small gap.



Also, this pic shows the gap (you can just see it on the left above the motor cover). Maybe you can see that the rear canvas section doesn't really reach the snaps, and just flaps in the breeze. I'm trying to secure that small area.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

well, there you go. your "expensive upholstery shop" was the cheapest route after all.

 

[wingless]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

The best way to ensure the snaps don't pull off the fabric is to have multiple layers or to have internal reinforcement along the edge.

When I've needed snaps on a canvas section, I've used Phifertex Plus and I've used Strataglass within a edge band on that canvas panel to reinforce the snap.

Another method is to fold over the panel and make a hem.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

Some shops are eliminating snaps, especially on the stern. A small post takes the place of the snap attached to the stern and an expandable loop to the canvas. So much easier and faster at the end of the day.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

Some shops are eliminating snaps, especially on the stern. A small post takes the place of the snap attached to the stern and an expandable loop to the canvas. So much easier and faster at the end of the day.

These are called shock cords. They are a great item and really prolong the life of the canvas after it shrinks, but that won't help him with this little gap. After reading his first post, I was under the impression he was trying to attach two tops together, which never would have worked. He's just looking for a small filler piece, so he should be just fine. I probably would have made a new rear panel to fit, but I under stand the $$ issue.

To the OP, no worries on the "expensive upholstery shop" comment. However, I'd like to address the issue of what a shop charges for a new interior and why it might seem so expensive:.....BTW, this is for everyone that doesn't own their own business....

Let's take an atypical 20' bowrider, meaning one that doesn't have rotted wood in the seats and standard steel hardware that is rusted to the point it all has to be cut out with a grinder...

That's an engine cover (if an I/O), 2 jump seats, two forward facing helm seats or back-to-backs, 2 gunwale panels, 2 large curves bow back pads, 1 small back pad and 3 bow seat cushions. An average job this size will take 10-12 yards of marine rated vinyl (@ 12.00-15.00 per yard shop cost). 3 hours to remove all the pieces if they come out easily (including removal of the shifter housing assembly). Approximately a 8 hour day to strip all the seats and separate the glued down foam from the frames (becuase the are ALWAYS filled with water), wringing out and drying the foam.
Cutting templates takes forever and most of the time this also includes backing the vinyl with a layer of 1/4 foam and sewing around the perimeter before sewing the pieces together. Most pieces are sewn 3 times (with UV rated thread), especially if you get custom top stitching or have multiple colors and/or designs.
Now reglue all dry foam back to the bases and cover each piece with Slip-ease film (insist on it) and replace covers. Use SS staples ($$$) and SS hardware. Trim everything in color matched vinyl trimwork and cover the bottoms in matching PfiferTex expanded vinyl. Reinstall.

A typical *small* boat interior runs a $1000 takes a week and uses $250-300 in materials. That leaves $700 "profit". Take into account the cost of the shop rent, electricity, advertising, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and other items not listed (SS staples, thread, hardware, replacing rotted wood or damaged foam, the removal/install time, fuel expenses, employee costs, etc) and you might truly profit $500 on that job. For a weeks work. How many people would work a week for $500?

Sorry about the wall of text, but I just wanted everyone to know that it is a skilled, learned trade and not as simple or as easy as you might think. And yes, if you find a decent shop that is busy then they're worth the wait and the expense (within reason).