Red Snappers
 

I just ordered some Red Snappers for my Longarm machine. Want to get my leaders ready for them. Does anyone know how big you have to make the casings for the rods to go into? I know they're suppose to be snug, so don't want to make them too big.

I may be able to measure my casings later today. If you don't have great hand strength, as with me, and find the rods difficult to snap on, you can loosen them. I took one to the hardware store and purchased dowels they would clamp onto. At home I soaked the red snappers in hot water in the bathtub to soften them up, then my dh snapped them onto the dowels. I left them for a couple of weeks (I think a few days would be enough!). This makes them not so tight, so it easier for me to use them. It also helps if your front loader is long enough to be laid on the table behind your machine, so you can use your whole body to press down on the snappers.

3/4"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdESb8_p5ec

Enjoy them! The quilt studio where I rent time has one machine with Leadergrips, and one where you have to pin to the leaders. I find it takes me about 30 min less to load a queen-sized quilt when using the Leadergrips than pinning, and much less chance of poking myself and bleeding on the quilt - a worthwhile investment!

I have rather severe arthritis in my hands. I love my red snappers as pinning is tedious and awkward. I did have my grippers of the red snappers cut into 2 1/2" pieces so they are very easy to apply.

The channel for the pole part only has to be big enough to hold it. My HQ leaders have more than enough space in them for this.

I love my Leadergrips!