Does anyone know of a tool sold to help re attaching "lift the dot" fittings on my dodger?

Jan 18, 2016
782
Catalina 387 Dana Point
And if you don't wanna put out the $$$$ for the tool, sailrite has much less expensive "hammer it into a block of AL" tools. Depends on how many you want to replace.

I've done hundreds. A decent tool is nice. A whack-it into a stop works for a few.
 

eianm

.
Jul 7, 2010
517
Hunter 42 Sydney
Sorry guys- i was misunderstood- i want a tool that will help me pull the female onto the male post - it seems my sunbrella must have shrunk a bit and the fit is now super tight- its really hard to pull the canvas out far enough to click the female down onto the male post- surely someone must have developed a simple tool to assist with this most common problem???
 
Jan 29, 2010
64
Hunter 38 Ocean Gate, NJ
Sorry guys- i was misunderstood- i want a tool that will help me pull the female onto the male post - it seems my sunbrella must have shrunk a bit and the fit is now super tight- its really hard to pull the canvas out far enough to click the female down onto the male post- surely someone must have developed a simple tool to assist with this most common problem???
Did you wet the canvas? Sometimes that will loosen it up.
 
Oct 1, 2007
1,857
Boston Whaler Super Sport Pt. Judith
Sorry guys- i was misunderstood- i want a tool that will help me pull the female onto the male post - it seems my sunbrella must have shrunk a bit and the fit is now super tight- its really hard to pull the canvas out far enough to click the female down onto the male post- surely someone must have developed a simple tool to assist with this most common problem???
I have a tool that has a fork on one end, and a flat surface on the other end. Works great for the snaps you describe. I also have a ton of them on my dodger/enclosure.
 
Jun 1, 2009
1,737
Hunter 49 toronto
I have a tool that has a fork on one end, and a flat surface on the other end. Works great for the snaps you describe. I also have a ton of them on my dodger/enclosure.

get a pair of vice grips, and install blocks of 60 durometer jaws
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
There is a tool for that. I think I saw one at WM when I worked there years ago. You could probably make one from a putty knife, cut a notch in the end to slide under the head of the snap. I use something similar on the tonneau cover on my truck. Be careful though, you could pop the head off the snap if you push too hard.
 

Ward H

.
Nov 7, 2011
3,645
Catalina 30 Mk II Barnegat, NJ
Here's a link to a SailRite video. 30 Seconds in the lady is using the Ironwood tool mentioned. I bought one but have only used it to unsnap snaps so far. Snap Tool
I found wetting the sunbrella really helps it to stretch back after it shrinks a bit.
 

eianm

.
Jul 7, 2010
517
Hunter 42 Sydney
i went a purchased an ironwood tool, and it unfortunately does not work with push a dots