Harness hardware question(s) …

[OldKat]

I have a harness hardware question or two, hope someone can answer. I have a set of used Amish-made harness that has a couple of the springs missing on the quarter strap snaps. I would just replace the snaps, except that the harness is made of belting and the quarter strap loops are sewn in the middle instead of connected with a conway. 🙁

I talked to the guy at the local saddle shop and he isn’t sure his machine will sew that material. The snaps are the 1 & 1/2″ size. I haven’t found anyone that has replacement springs for that size snap. Meader Supply has them in their catalog for the 1″ size, but not the larger sizes.

So my questions are: 1) Does anyone know of a supply house that would have replacement springs for 1 & 1/2″ snaps? and 2) If that is not an option, then have any of you ever cut replacement springs out of a piece of stainless sheet metal and installed them in a harness snap? And, I guess if anyone has a “yes” to question #2, then … 3) How hard was it to do? 😉

[Carl Russell]

You could cut the stitching, replace the snaps, and restitch using an awl, or if you can’t sew, use copper rivets. You may also just mail the straps off to a harness maker to get them repaired.

Carl

[Plowboy]

Our local harness shop carries spring snaps that have a screw with a bushing for that very purpose. If you break a snap cut it off carfully with a hack saw or bolt cutters, slide the bushing in the loop put the snap over the bushing and install the screw then your back in business! No sewing or rivets and if you keep a few around no ride to the harness shop. I don’t know if everyone uses them but Warnercrest Harness shop in Masonville, N.Y. is where we do business.

[Neil Dimmock]

these guys will get them for ya, http://www.aaronmartin.com/index.html
Neil

[OldKat]

… Carl, Plowboy & Neil. You guys have given me several good options when I had none. 🙂

Thanks again,

[Author]

Posts