: . . . I
: attempted to make the pins with spring steel, but have found
: those pins to be less than desirable. I also considered ordering
: from the company listed on Yostwerks, but I'd rather not spend
: the minimum that they require. Any thoughts?

Try another design for your home-made snap pins or buy the minimum order on the ready-made ones and peddle the excess to another builder.

Can you post a picture of the ones you made and explain the problems you are having with them?

I'd try making mine from 1/8 inch aluminum or brass bolts or machine screws. Or, use the aluminum rivets. I'd drill a hole in a piece of wood about 3 inches long, and narrow enough to fit inside the tubing. The bolt gets glued to the stick and becomes the pin. I'd glue a piece of spongy foam rubber to the back of the stick and shove the assembly into the tube. With a tight fit on the foam rubber you might not need any glue.
The compressible foam provides the spring action. The wood keeps the pin aligned. No steel to rust. Use a file to get the rivet or bolt length to size.

Hope this helps.

PGJ