JeffG, Lamont, RTodd?

[TSandM]

What I've heard, though, is that the SS hardware store snaps often have non-stainless steel springs in them. There's a way to tell them apart, having to do with the "hole" that the slide is in, but I don't remember what the difference is.

I choke and pay dive shop prices for my boltsnaps, after having a couple of the hardware store ones stick.

 

[nadwidny]

That's dissappointing, do you have a preffered source other then Nix?

I had a buddy who experimented with snaps from about 3 or 4 different sources and he found the best ones came from BOSUN SUPPLIES - Stainless Steel Anchors Deck Hardware Chain Shackles Hooks Clips Titanium FORCE 5 Rigging Fasteners Tools Suncor Microstar Knowledge Information wire rope

(Sorry folks, I can't get the link shortened to something more human.)

 

[SparticleBrane]

Sure you can.

 

[nadwidny]

Sure you can.

No I can't and I've already devoted 15 minutes of my life trying to do so and I'm not willing to do anymore so if a mod feels like fixing it then they can have at 'er.

 

[boomx5]

What I've heard, though, is that the SS hardware store snaps often have non-stainless steel springs in them. There's a way to tell them apart, having to do with the "hole" that the slide is in, but I don't remember what the difference is.

I choke and pay dive shop prices for my boltsnaps, after having a couple of the hardware store ones stick.

I've been using mine for years without a problem. I have hundreds of dives on some that I bought at Lowe's and they still work like brand new.

 

[rainman_02]

I had a buddy who experimented with snaps from about 3 or 4 different sources and he found the best ones came from BOSUN SUPPLIES - Stainless Steel Anchors Deck Hardware Chain Shackles Hooks Clips Titanium FORCE 5 Rigging Fasteners Tools Suncor Microstar Knowledge Information wire rope

(Sorry folks, I can't get the link shortened to something more human.)

Voila!

 

[Meng_Tze]

...Whichever factory has the the current low price gets the order. Even if we buy from a the same US importer, their source may change frequently, often without their knowledge.

Welcome to a global economy.

 

[DIR-Atlanta]

I've been using mine for years without a problem. I have hundreds of dives on some that I bought at Lowe's and they still work like brand new.

I've had pretty good luck with the Lowe's SS snaps as well. I mostly use them on my SPGs and then the
lower snap on stage bottles. They're a little larger than I like for second stage clips, though.

 

[Mike Edmonston]

Just curious,

Has anyone had any BAD experiences with the Zinc snaps? I believe they are the "plated" variety at Lowes? I did read that the shear strength on the bolt snap is less, but does it rust, corrode, or flat out not work?

Cheers

 

[cool_hardware52]

Just curious,

Has anyone had any BAD experiences with the Zinc snaps? I believe they are the "plated" variety at Lowes? I did read that the shear strength on the bolt snap is less, but does it rust, corrode, or flat out not work?

Cheers

Zinc, AKA "pot metal" or commonly referred to as "Die Cast" will get pretty fuzzy pretty rapidly around salt water.

Tobin