Press studs

[Dodgy Diver]

Around the boat I have some press studs that the canopy snaps on to. But I am missing a load also on the boat. Looks like the screws have been ripped out of the fibreglass. I have some more on order. I’ll fit bigger diameter screws but anything else I can do to help. Thanks

 

[BruceK]

Sometimes the fiberglass or windscreen aluminium is too thin to really have much bite with a screw and will only fail again as you go up in screw width. A better purchase can then be had using a pop rivet to sandwich it in (i.e. right through and not a compression fit within the hole you can slit the fg) using the following stud die that screws into your pop rivet gun. Or you could fashion your own from a small nut that just fits within the diameter of the stud.

SnapRite® Surface Mount Stud Die

Generally press studs fail because with time and shrinkage the canopy becomes too tight. Dont be afraid to remove old studs and realign. The material should just hang right so that without pulling on it the stud just locates without any tugging involved. If your canopy is beyond that it's time for a new one....silk purse out of a sows ear and all that. Alternatively, instead of a new canopy you need to change to another mounting method be that strap and hook or bungee and hook, but my preference is for studs.

 

[DavidJ]

Not tried it but has anyone had success with tiny rawlplugs. I think you would only have to open up the offending hole a little bit. Yellow rawlplug = 5mm hole

 

[Scubadoo]

Not tried it but has anyone had success with tiny rawlplugs. I think you would only have to open up the offending hole a little bit. Yellow rawlplug = 5mm hole

Yes and very effective, only done it once or twice when a larger screw won't bite.

 

[dj43]

I tend to just fill in the existing holes with two part filler, re drill and screw in new stud or popper, as already mentioned if your canvas is two tight get someone to let a piece in ,not expensive and makes a big difference

 

[BruceK]

TBH if you have run out of the three screw diameters that fit so much so you need to use a dry wall plug while having enough body to screw into then a snap stud is not the right fastener. You need a webbing bridge and strap or a turnbuckle

 

[Dodgy Diver]

all the new press studs turned up today and to be honest they all actually screwed in very tight with the supplied screws

looking at the canopy I found a male part still inside a press stud , they look like they have been ripped off the screws and then some one has removed the screws from the boat , I assumed the holes had given up but looks like I was wrong

 

[paradave]

I found that the press studs can be so thin, they’re the first point to fail and come off the screw completely as you’ve found.

 

[oldgit]

A little gel coat or twin pack adhesive can make sure any self tapper is tight in any hole

 

[Simon 420]

I'm gradually replacing my studs with lift the dot fasteners- much better holding power

 

[burgundyben]

What you need to do is dunk a cotton bud in vaseline and wiggle it round inside the female half where the wire ring spring is, sparingly.

That makes them pop on and off much easier so you dont rip the male halff the boat.

Seems detailed and careful boat husbandry is a dying art.

 

[BruceK]

What you need to do is dunk a cotton bud in vaseline and wiggle it round inside the female half where the wire ring spring is, sparingly.

That makes them pop on and off much easier so you dont rip the male halff the boat.

Seems detailed and careful boat husbandry is a dying art.

Sailmakers dont recommend that. They say when getting SS press studs ensure the snap ring is brass and otherwise just keep them clean. Greasing them reduces their effectiveness which can result in blown canvas.