Inlay Technique

[renegadelizard]

Not all snaps are created equal. In addition to different shaft lengths snaps are made with differing "actions". There are "soft-action" , "standard-action", and "hard-action" snaps, refering to the relative holding power of the snap when fastened. The differences are accomplished by the use of different annular (ring-shaped) springs inside the snap cap that secure to the snap stud when fastened. Differences in snap materials can also produce different results (brass, steel, stainless steel, plated, anodized finishes, etc). Finally, the differences between various manufacturers can be considerable.

In my experience the products of Durable Dot and Fasnap have been of very good quality and consistency. The snaps usually found in the hobby shops and leather supply stores are most likely imported products and quality may vary considerably.

The hobby shop snaps are available in small quantities, typically 10 or 12 sets to a bag, at around $5.00 or so per dozen (about 40 to 50 cents per set). Much better snaps are available, but usually require larger volume purchases (100 or 1000 sets), but the overall cost per set will actually be lower than what you might pay in the hobby shops. You can probably find on-line retailers selling the better name brand products in smaller quantities, but prices will reflect the expenses of breaking down bulk orders into smaller units for retail sale (someone has to count them out, or weigh them, and repackage, etc).

I must have got the soft action snaps...i think im going to try to stop using snap altogether...if i can get by with chicago screws and/or post, then i think ill go that direction..if a customer absolutely has to have snaps, ill go with the pull the dot...thanks for the input...