Canvas soft-top studs/fasteners

[rcx132]

One of the corner pop-studs on a new canvas soft-top keeps un-doing. The previous canvas top's fastener was a nice tight fit, so I guess the fastener on the new canvas must be slightly over size. I've now made it a lot worse because I tried machining a tighter fitting male side, but I made the prototype from steel, didn't blunt the edges enough, and now the female side is even looser.

I can see there's a brand of studs called DOT that seems popular for marine use. But I thought I'd get some thoughts and recommendations first. I know that these things needs to be the highest quality to last, I don't want to mess up.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Duisky]

It looks like a genuine ‘lift the DOT’ fastener, perhaps it’s just a faulty unit? Possibly the internal wire that catches on the male part is misshapen or absent? Should look like the one below. You might be able to tweak it a bit with a fine screwdriver to get by..

 

[rcx132]

It looks like a genuine ‘lift the DOT’ fastener, perhaps it’s just a faulty unit? Possibly the internal wire that catches on the male part is misshapen or absent? Should look like the one below. You might be able to tweak it a bit with a fine screwdriver to get by..


View attachment 406112

It's the stud fastener to the right of the photo that's faulty. The lift ones work fine

I've edited the photo with a mark to show.

 

[Duisky]

It's the stud fastener to the right of the photo that's faulty. The lift ones work fine

Apologies, it’s a Sunday!

Aye, that’s a ‘Durable Dot’. I’m just going to assume that it’s not been set correctly, and is a bit splayed, or is just a bad unit- either male or female. I’ve never had any issues with any I’ve used whether branded or generic. You can get a generic press stud kit from Amazon pretty cheaply that comes with the tooling to set them, although I’m sure DOT themselves do a kit too.

For what it’s worth, I’m pretty sure on the instructions that came with a MG Midget roof, it suggests using a Phillips screwdriver to set the head… I think rather use the proper punch!

 

[bricol]

You can get directional ones that are very resistant to coming off - you have to roll them off from the top if you fit them to resist pulling off from the bottom.

Pull the Dot Range

These are strong directional Press studs These are strong directional press

www.softbitsshop.co.uk

 

[E T]

I used Loxx fasteners on the tarp on my trailer. Not cheap, but very good quality.

marine saltwater proof stainless steel snap fastener - Schaeffertec GmbH - springy fastening systems

LOXX® - For more than 60 years anchored in the nautical industry! LOXX® - perfect for marine application.

www.loxx-products.com

 

[ajlelectronics]

Give me a ring tomorrow, I will send you a new pair.

 

[rcx132]

I used Loxx fasteners on the tarp on my trailer. Not cheap, but very good quality.

marine saltwater proof stainless steel snap fastener - Schaeffertec GmbH - springy fastening systems

LOXX® - For more than 60 years anchored in the nautical industry! LOXX® - perfect for marine application.

www.loxx-products.com

How do those LOXX fasteners get fitted? Using a punch ? And they use a different ball type mechanism I think ?

 

[Keith 66]

I had Lift the dot fasteners on our boat spray hood. The spike part is at least 1/2" high maybe a bit more & i knelt on one a few years ago, went right in under my kneecap. Claret all over the deck & a big hole in my leg, could barely walk for a week. The lift the dot fasteners were all replaced with nylon Perfix fasteners which are directional. They have been excellent.

 

[E T]

How do those LOXX fasteners get fitted? Using a punch ? And they use a different ball type mechanism I think ?

The female part is threaded and is secured with a threaded collar on the inside of the tarp or canvas.
The studs are available in different versions. Screw in, threaded or for riveting on.

 

[rcx132]

Thanks for the tips. The LOXX fasteners look serious. But they're also pretty big and might look silly on a small jeep.
The DOT press studs have a version called TIGHT which is designed for corners, so I've gone for that.