Snap installer

[ppat324]

Hey everyone...I was hoping some one could help us out. I bought an accordian on
E-bay a couple of weeks ago. It needs a little work on it. (I got it cheap). One of the things it needs is new clips for the bellows. For those of you who dont know... the bellows are the part of the accordian that fans open and closed during play.
I have been looking since the day I got it for the clips. We have been unable to find the size my accordian needs. Well, Monday I got the straps for the accordian and asked Bill if he could use the old leather straps to make me new clips. Now here comes the reason for this thread.... does anyone have a snap installation tool we could beg, borrow or steal...or buy cheap?Bill wants the handlheld one... not the little POS that you hit with a mallet. If anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Pat



p.s. I played the accordian as a child and am picking it up again slowly.

 

[Angela]

I have one of those big ones from Sailrite - the ones that are nearly $100. I use it often and don't want to be without it, but if you send me the straps and the snaps you want put on, I'll put them on for you. The device I have is about 18" long and much heavier than your straps will be, so it will be cheaper for you to send me the straps and snaps than it would be for someone to send you a snap installer like I have.

Now, all that said, I do have one of those cheapy ones that are like pliars. Works OK on non-stainless stuff, but cannot crush the SS snaps. If you are using non-stainless, I'll give you my little pliar-style crimper for keeps. Since getting the big boy crimper, I never use the little one anymore. Let me know.

 

[ppat324]

thanks, Angela... I will talk to Bill when he is available and get back to you. I only need 4 snaps attached to 2 peices of leather. I will see if I can get Bill to cut the leather (we are using the old straps and cutting them) and then get back to you later today or tomorrow. Pat

 

[bigbill]

ppat, west marine has the cheap, pliar type, they are about 20.00. well worth having if you own a boat. i agree with ang, the good ones are much better, but if you only use it once or twice a year, the cheaper one works fine. bigbill

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Will they do the stainless snaps or just bend the handles? Ppat

 

[Angela]

The little ones will not do stainless. What's why I when ahead and spent the money for the big one.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Thanks Ang... Bill also wants to use the tool for some canvas work on the boats sooo..... I will let him figure it out. If anyone has the good ones they dont want anymore Bill is enterested. ppat

 

[SKYCHENEY]

After wrecking a couple of the cheapo one, I bought the good one from Sailrite as well. Check around the marina. Someone may have one you can borrow. I seem to lend mine out quite often around here.

 

[spartonboat1]

I have one of those big ones from Sailrite - the ones that are nearly $100. I use it often and don't want to be without it, but if you send me the straps and the snaps you want put on, I'll put them on for you. The device I have is about 18" long ...

I have one those Sailrite sold units and they are a work of art, IMHO. Precision components and works very well. Few tools are made as well these days! I have installed hundreds of snaps and snap bases with this tool.

 

[rgy128]

I have one of the good ones. Take a ride up to Saugatuck, mi and we will have a beer and snap it. Or wait until I come to Chi town and we'll do it then.

bob

 

[OBXTucker]

You can try a local shoe or sail shop. They'll probably one available and will do it on the spot pretty cheap.

 

[ppat324]

Thanks, Bill says we need to have one for work on the boats also, so we will be looking to buy one.
I found the straps I needed for my accordian on E-Bay today for $4.00. It wont be a perfect fit... but it'll be better than the bellows opening everytime I open the case and take it out. All I need is the puppy to jump up and I can say good-bye to the bellows. They tear pretty easily. Ppat

 

[Angela]

For hands-on people like yourselves, you'll really appreciate having one of the good ones onboard all the time. It would be a good decision to just get one. Get the good one though - you won't regret that purchase.

 

[rgy128]

make sure you order the dies for the double snap. I don't think they come with the unit.