Stainless Steel Bolt Snaps

[boomx5]

After looking all over town for stainless steal bolt snaps, I finally found them at Lowe's.

1/2" - $4.96

3/4" - $5.86

4" - $6.72

[metridium]

boomx5 wrote...
After looking all over town for stainless steal bolt snaps, I finally found them at Lowe's.
I tried that once, but was dissatisfied with their quality. The bolt/spring system was loose and shaky, which led me to suspect that they might accidentally unfasten during a dive. That was especially true for the double-enders.

The best snaps I've found were in tech-oriented dive shops.

[danw2002]

watch out!!! all stainless steel is not alike. there are many different mixes that can be called 'stainless steel' and some are not very good under heavy salt conditions( read ocean water).:boom: :boom: :bonk:

[salty]

Were they in the" marine section" ? My first viset to lowes a few weeks ago produced the same result I ended up picking up a 4 inch double ender to test out so far it looks identical and feels the same as one I got from Halycon. Time will tell.

[Uncle Pug]

If you would have asked me I would have told you to get 'em at Lowes Scott... the ones Shane and I use are just dandy :D

[danw2002]

So UP, they holding up ok? good to know they are good stainless.

[metridium]

salty wrote...
Were they in the" marine section" ? My first viset to lowes a few weeks ago produced the same result I ended up picking up a 4 inch double ender to test out so far it looks identical and feels the same as one I got from Halycon. Time will tell. I don't believe there was a "marine section" in that store, so you're on to something there.

[Genesis]

CHEAP from a guy that does DOG COLLARS (yes, for real) off eBAY.

They've been fine, and have been soaked more than a couple of times in salt water with no sign of corrosion of the body or the spring.

For the price it was tough to beat 'em.

Reef systems has 'em too, but they want a LOT more.

[JT2]

I don't believe there was a "marine section" in that store, so you're on to something there. The Lowes stores in my area all have "marine sections".

[wetman]

I'll second Genesis - nixdogcollars.com i think was the URL. Very good price.

steve

[boomx5]

wetman once bubbled...
I'll second Genesis - nixdogcollars.com i think was the URL. Very good price.

steve

I almost made an order through them because they seem to be about the best deal around.

[Genesis]

And he shipped INSTANTLY.

I literally had them in two or three days.

The guy is definitely on the ball and the merchandise is what he says it is.

I now have enough bolt snaps for the next 10 years :)

[Scubaroo]

Been using his bolt snaps for a year in salt water - no problems!

[Uncle Pug]

But he doesn't have the small ones that are right for the backup lights, regulator and lighthead.

[Scubaroo]

Uncle Pug once bubbled...
But he doesn't have the small ones that are right for the backup lights, regulator and lighthead. You and I both dive cold water... would you want smaller bolt snaps with heavy gloves? Or do the dry gloves you use give you more dexterity?

[Uncle Pug]

Scubaroo once bubbled...
Or do the dry gloves you use give you more dexterity?
I will measure them tomorrow... but ranked large medium small... we use small for the stuff that clips off on the shoulder d-rings... medium or large for the deco, spg.

[Genesis]

He doesn't have the ones that I use for my primary regulator to clip it off, but that's the only place I use the "small" ones.

[Uncle Pug]

Do you use larger ones on the backup lights and hid lighthead?

[Big-t-2538]

I might sound like a total moron....but could someone post a pic of how they use their bolt snap, or how they are mounted. I've never used one, or heard of one until recently here on the board...and now I'm intrigued

[boomx5]

http://www.mindspring.com/~toddleonard/caverig/howknot.html

http://www.northeastdir.com/gearpage1.htm

I think Scubaroo got some good pages to he may be able to post.

[Scubaroo]

Uncle Pug once bubbled...
Do you use larger ones on the backup lights and hid lighthead? I use the 3/4" size (the smallest SS ones NDC sells) on everything. Manageable with 5mm neoprene gloves - I would not want smaller. But drysgloves are probably a different story. At $2.50ish each I'm not complaining! :)

EDIT: Here's the comparative sizes (http://www.scubaboard.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=146802) of the 3/4" bolt snaps on a backup light and 10W HID (ziptie has been replaced with line before anyone gets picky!)

[MechDiver]

Scubaroo once bubbled...
I use the 3/4" size (the smallest SS ones NDC sells) on everything. Manageable with 5mm neoprene gloves - I would not want smaller. But drysgloves are probably a different story. At $2.50ish each I'm not complaining! :)

EDIT: Here's the comparative sizes (http://www.scubaboard.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=146802) of the 3/4" bolt snaps on a backup light and 10W HID (ziptie has been replaced with line before anyone gets picky!)

I'll have to agree with Pug, the ones I use seem smaller than the ones in your pictures. The attachment point on mine is more "D" shaped also and too small to put my finger through.

Phil

[boomx5]

What size line does everybody use for attaching you snaps?

[metridium]

boomx5 wrote...
What size line does everybody use for attaching you snaps? #24 cave line.

[Big-t-2538]

I see...I've just never heard them called bolt-snaps before....I don't venture out of my cave very much.

[dmdalton]

Reef Scuba has all sizes and much much more. Excellent prices as well.

Dave D

http://www.reefscuba.com/

[Norm]

Just remember the one thing that's vital, irregardless of if it's stainless or brass: Be certain it has a stainless steel spring in it!
Norm