waynes world
Well-Known Member
What was the price of it, small budget here i am afraid.
DIY Canopy tips .
- Thread starter waynes world
- Start date
What was the price of it, small budget here i am afraid.
Martin_J
Well-Known Member
I started off using the cutting blade on a similar gas soldering iron. You might get by cutting a few canopies but what I found was that the blade gradually bent due to the cutting pressure..
For later canopies I then cut with scissors followed by quickly running the hot blade along the cut edge to seal it. It turned out to be a much quicker way of cutting anyway.
As to sewing machines...the simple old Jones / Singer machines will get through the layers fine. The main problem I find with these is getting a consistent stitch length. Any tension/stoppage in the fabric and the single feed dog underneath just can't pull the fabric through and you'll get a few short stitches.
For later canopies I then cut with scissors followed by quickly running the hot blade along the cut edge to seal it. It turned out to be a much quicker way of cutting anyway.
As to sewing machines...the simple old Jones / Singer machines will get through the layers fine. The main problem I find with these is getting a consistent stitch length. Any tension/stoppage in the fabric and the single feed dog underneath just can't pull the fabric through and you'll get a few short stitches.
Martin_J
Well-Known Member
Not sure if the links will work since I'm positing from my phone. .
Proof that the Jones/Brother will get through spray hood and bimini material
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoaL0Fl7hXvVjy30aZtxkss1OJf_
Even the compact Frister Rossman was good enough to make a sail cover with sunbrella.
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoaL0Fl7hXvVjyq2DVfw0-MlOcXA
Proof that the Jones/Brother will get through spray hood and bimini material
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoaL0Fl7hXvVjy30aZtxkss1OJf_
Even the compact Frister Rossman was good enough to make a sail cover with sunbrella.
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoaL0Fl7hXvVjyq2DVfw0-MlOcXA
waynes world
Well-Known Member
T got the machine we have set up, well as good as we could i think for now.
As you can see the stitch lengths do vary but this is my first ever attempt at sewing.
I need more sample to try on as these are all i got sent.
This is what we have.
My first attempts, as martin says, the size on these samples didnt make it easy for me to keep a constant feed. rapped my thumn a few times.
The straight stitch is from small to large we think.
The bottom one here was 7 layers of Top Gun and it did it surprising easy to me. Fitted with a 90 leather needle.
.
As you can see the stitch lengths do vary but this is my first ever attempt at sewing.
I need more sample to try on as these are all i got sent.
This is what we have.
My first attempts, as martin says, the size on these samples didnt make it easy for me to keep a constant feed. rapped my thumn a few times.
The straight stitch is from small to large we think.
The bottom one here was 7 layers of Top Gun and it did it surprising easy to me. Fitted with a 90 leather needle.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
Excellent stuff Wayne. You have got the tensions sorted, and your dexterity is admirable (we know that from your practical work already) Very pleased for you. A new and rewarding career in a month or two !
I bet you get your own machine shortly
Don't tell the lads at work that have taken up sewing...
BTW, those little gas guns are fine for fiddly soldering and a bit of cutting, but are not big enough for cutting a long run of canvas - not enough heat output.
I bet you get your own machine shortly
Don't tell the lads at work that have taken up sewing...BTW, those little gas guns are fine for fiddly soldering and a bit of cutting, but are not big enough for cutting a long run of canvas - not enough heat output.
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Mister E
Well-Known Member
About £25 for mine. I just searched for hot knife.
waynes world
Well-Known Member
Excellent stuff Wayne. You have got the tensions sorted, and your dexterity is admirable (we know that from your practical work already) Very pleased for you. A new and rewarding career in a month or two !
I bet you get your own machine shortly
I have to admit i was a weee bit excited to find a new thing to do and it sort of worked
. A bit different to grinding/welding and GRP etc.
I think this will do the job but for some reason i need a old classic
Martin_J
Well-Known Member
Ahaaa. The Brother LS14... if your stitches start going badly wrong on that and you can't seem to sort them, check the hook underneath on the holder the bibbin sits in. They bend easily when caught up.. from memory the hook is plastic. Not sure how easy to get spares for that part.
As to fabric. I know you've mentioned top gun as a choice since it doesn't fray. I've made my current spray hood from it and very happy with it but it's not to all tastes since its slightly shiny both sides.
If you're sewing with Sunbrella then the "proofed" side should be the underside when making a spray hood or bimini. This sounds odd but protects the proofing from the sun and also from any scrubbing you do in future. To see which side is proofed try a few drips of water flicked onto it and see which side repels as droplets.
As to fabric. I know you've mentioned top gun as a choice since it doesn't fray. I've made my current spray hood from it and very happy with it but it's not to all tastes since its slightly shiny both sides.
If you're sewing with Sunbrella then the "proofed" side should be the underside when making a spray hood or bimini. This sounds odd but protects the proofing from the sun and also from any scrubbing you do in future. To see which side is proofed try a few drips of water flicked onto it and see which side repels as droplets.
Martin_J
Well-Known Member
Correction to my post above.
It's the Sunbrella Plus (as with other pu coated across canvas): that is coated and therefore "sided".
It's the Sunbrella Plus (as with other pu coated across canvas): that is coated and therefore "sided".
2copplane
Well-Known Member
I've just replaced an 18' zip on my sailbag. I used double sided tape and found it kept gumming up the needle and snapping the thread. I ended up frequently wiping the needle with polish to remove the glue and make it less sticky. Anyone any tips when using tape to hold things together?
Martin_J
Well-Known Member
Did you use the correct 'venture' tape.. ?
One reason it might have stuck more on the needle is because I guess you were using a thinner fabric. With new coated acrylic canvas, the fabric is quite stiff and the hole created by the needle is quite tight.. I just assumed all the adhesive was scraped off as the needle pulls back out of the canvas.
A light wipe clean of the needle every so often with a cloth doesn't take too long - Just keep your foot away from the control as you do it!
One reason it might have stuck more on the needle is because I guess you were using a thinner fabric. With new coated acrylic canvas, the fabric is quite stiff and the hole created by the needle is quite tight.. I just assumed all the adhesive was scraped off as the needle pulls back out of the canvas.
A light wipe clean of the needle every so often with a cloth doesn't take too long - Just keep your foot away from the control as you do it!
Plum
Well-Known Member
Interesting. I have been making my own covers and bags using mostly Topgun fabric for over 13 years now and always use double sided tape and have never had a problem with the adhesive on the needle. I use any cheep tape i can find. Nothing "special". I recently went to a demonstration evening at a local sailmaker and learnt that they assemble the whole sail with double sided tape before sewing so their machines have to deal with the adhesive without cleaning downtime. I can only assume it depends on the tape used.
Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
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2copplane
Well-Known Member
It is proper sailmakers tape though I will experiment with different types. It may be the needle as well so will try different sizes.
Good to know with the right set up it should sew okay.
Thanks
Good to know with the right set up it should sew okay.
Thanks
waynes world
Well-Known Member
I have reading a few places that when using the tape not to sew through it for the very reason this can happen ( snap the thread etc ) and if the correct size is used and it is placed correctly then you will not be sewing through the tape to cause the trouble.
While i have been practicing sewing i found the thread was snapping ( plain cotton ) now and then and was happening when i was going through the tape.
While i have been practicing sewing i found the thread was snapping ( plain cotton ) now and then and was happening when i was going through the tape.
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
We've done several canvas work projects, using double sided tape, usually bought from a sailmakers ('cos I forget to order it with the fabric). We find that the secret is to position the tape so that you don't actually sew through it: this is easy enough to do when planing how to make the project, leaving a large enough seam allowance so that your stitch lines don't need to go through the tape. Sewing through the tape leads to the problems 2copplane encountered.
PlankWalker
Well-Known Member
Wiping the needle with machine oil from time to time, seems to stop the build up of double sided tape goo.
JClarkes
Well-Known Member
Take your time and dont rush.
Venture tape is all we ever used.
Venture tape is all we ever used.
waynes world
Well-Known Member
It been a while since i started this thread, and in that time i have at last got a machine. i found it..........ok not me as all thanks goes to Tim( sarabande ) as he found it for me on Preloved at to me a good price at £75. I kept on finding machines which were ok but not just there for what i need and emailing him them. I am sure he got fed up of me.
So thank Tim, i am very happy with it, in good nick, i think.
It come with a few bits n bobs which i need to work out what feet do what.
Well i got a Reads Sailmaker, this beauty
Not a clue what the foot second in from the left is for with wheels on the bottom.
First thing was to make a larger bobbin holder
I had a dabble at it as it was set when it arrived on 2 layers of canvas and it needed an adjustment from the top tension and bottom.
After half hour or so faffing i think i have it a bit better.
This is on 8 layers of canvas.
TOP SIDE
The first large stitch is before i tightened the bobbin tebsion. as you can it got better as i went on after that. I tightened it 1/2 a turn on the bobbin holder.
BOTTOM SIDE
Oh and before i got here this happened.
Brings back memories of sea fishing with a multiplier reel
Now not sure if i threaded the thread wrong or it is to do with the thread that needs to come off the spool in a certain direction, It is V69 thread.
I found this in the box when it came, i know these were originally cranked by hand with a small handle that screwed onto the wheel.
Could this be a similar job ?
I have some canvas to make a trailer cover for a little practice. so fingers crossed
So thank Tim, i am very happy with it, in good nick, i think.
It come with a few bits n bobs which i need to work out what feet do what.
Well i got a Reads Sailmaker, this beauty
Not a clue what the foot second in from the left is for with wheels on the bottom.
First thing was to make a larger bobbin holder
I had a dabble at it as it was set when it arrived on 2 layers of canvas and it needed an adjustment from the top tension and bottom.
After half hour or so faffing i think i have it a bit better.
This is on 8 layers of canvas.
TOP SIDE
The first large stitch is before i tightened the bobbin tebsion. as you can it got better as i went on after that. I tightened it 1/2 a turn on the bobbin holder.
BOTTOM SIDE
Oh and before i got here this happened.
Brings back memories of sea fishing with a multiplier reel
Now not sure if i threaded the thread wrong or it is to do with the thread that needs to come off the spool in a certain direction, It is V69 thread.
I found this in the box when it came, i know these were originally cranked by hand with a small handle that screwed onto the wheel.
Could this be a similar job ?
I have some canvas to make a trailer cover for a little practice. so fingers crossed
Mister E
Well-Known Member
The picture of the mess of thread is possibly the thread tension being to high. This causes the thread to start parting at the needle eye.
Or it could be a rough needle eye.
Or it could be a rough needle eye.
Capt. Clueless
Well-Known Member
I've been following this thread, but have now decided it's outside of my comfort zone. I think it'll be easier for me to glue a frame tent onto the front of my boat and beat it about with a hammer.