DIY Canopy tips .

waynes world said:
This is one that looks ideal then.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/singer-19...896186?hash=item1a2968fd7a:g:1iYAAOSwUKxYmLHE
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As long as you have the room for it an ideal machine but remember it is not a walking foot machine. Also as it does not have a servo motor it will be noisy. But seeing as you will be singing your head off with the success of sewing it wont matter.

Look at this :- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/singer-20...527550?hash=item3ae285dfbe:g:VScAAOSwrhBZBa5G may be too far for you to pick up.
 
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Big John said:
As long as you have the room for it an ideal machine but remember it is not a walking foot machine. Also as it does not have a servo motor it will be noisy. But seeing as you will be singing your head off with the success of sewing it wont matter.

Look at this :- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/singer-20...527550?hash=item3ae285dfbe:g:VScAAOSwrhBZBa5G may be too far for you to pick up.
Click to expand...

Yes a bit far, I am sure there will be one closer to home.

I cant seem to find any walking foot type.

EDIT


I have just seen the walking foot attachments you can get to convert any machine :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-QUILT...408831?hash=item2c8951ed7f:g:PzoAAOSwQItT6O1H

I`ll keep looking.
 
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You really don't need a heavy duty machine, just one with a decent metal framework under the plastic covers. We've used domestic machines, both a Singer and a Pfaff to do extensive canvas work: both ancient but reliable. Pay attention to getting the thread tension right on a few scraps of canvas before you start work in the main work.
We used a normal foot for st sewing, works fine. You need to choose the right needle, 110 IIRC. There's advice about needles on the PointNorth website and they sell the needles as well.
Again, use the right thread. If you don't used UV treated thread, you will discover the thread will give way within a year or two. Again, PointNorth have advice on their website about the right stuff to use. It doesn't add much to the cost to use the proper thread, albeit that you can only buy it from them in cones, which will see you through lots of projects....
Wholeheartedly endorse the opinion above about patterns. Get that bit right and everything else will work fine. Get it wrong and you'll be unpicking seams to adjust things just when you thought you'd got it right.... Don't ask how I know.
We once tried to use pins for holding canvas together. Doesn't work. As other have said, use double sided sticky tape, just position it so that you don't sew through it: we've found that it gums the needle up really well.
The final thing is planing to work. It is very difficult to feed large volumes of canvas through the machine arch, so plan to do work so you minimise having to feed bulky part of the project through the arch. Not always possible to avoid but worth trying to do if possible. If you can't avoid it, then one person using the machine with a second helping to ease the bulk of the material through will make matter easier.
 
Still at this, i got the samples of the Top Gun and a bit of a waste of time as they are so small from 30mm square to maybe 60mm x 20mm. Maybe i should of asked but it looks like they just cut bits of the scrap.I was expecting maybe an envelope size atleast.

Anyway i have found this machine and seem good price.

Local so any thoughts on this. I will pop around with what samples i have to see how it is. Cant do much with the samples but still if it does an inch or so of 6-8 layers.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/brother-i...183457?hash=item2a8113c721:g:OvwAAOSwX61ZBqM3


I forgot tonight as i am busy wit a boat`y thing fro the cruiser but when i can i will measure the trailer and make practice on making a cover for it. I will use Top Gun still for it so i get the feel for it.
 
Straight stitch AND zig-zag are a must. Walking foot is nice but not 100% necessary.


I've been through ebay this evening for a machine and can't find anything - but there's tomorrow and the day after....


EDIT This might be worth a look and a chat with the vendor.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bernina-7...134610?hash=item33cd444192:g:AUAAAOSwol5Y1pgL


and this same model comes from a sewing machine specialist. Even better. Worth a quick chat on the phone.

http://sewingonline.co.uk/machines/bernina730/
 
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I've got a Singer 20U which does both straight & zig-zag and is powerful, excellent for acrylic canvas and about 4/5 layers of sailcloth. See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Singer-20...566301?hash=item3ae3991f9d:g:2-AAAOSwH09ZEEx- or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Singer-Pr...755512?hash=item238413f3f8:g:eBoAAOSw42dZDsHp Need collecting of course, not sure where you are though. You can download instructions and spares list from the internet and spares are readily obtainable. My machine is fitted with a 2880 rpm motor which is very fast so I changed the motor pulley to the smallest available which makes it much slower. Several models available - mine is the 20u43 which gives a bigger zig-zag(I think!). These use industrial sewing machine needles which have round shanks so need inserting correctly, unlike domestic machines which have a flat on the shank.
Beware of some Singer domestic needles made in Brasil - they are rubbish. I use Schmetz, Gros-Beckert or Organ. I suspect others are just as good, this is my experience.
 
sarabande said:
Straight stitch AND zig-zag are a must. Walking foot is nice but not 100% necessary.


I've been through ebay this evening for a machine and can't find anything - but there's tomorrow and the day after....


EDIT This might be worth a look and a chat with the vendor.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bernina-7...134610?hash=item33cd444192:g:AUAAAOSwol5Y1pgL


and this same model comes from a sewing machine specialist. Even better. Worth a quick chat on the phone.

http://sewingonline.co.uk/machines/bernina730/
Click to expand...


These look well, never seen some of those kinds of stitches before. First one is not far from me so that could be worth a look, and the other online looks in excellent condition. I will call them today for a price, good that it is free delivery.





PetiteFleur said:
I've got a Singer 20U which does both straight & zig-zag and is powerful, excellent for acrylic canvas and about 4/5 layers of sailcloth. See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Singer-20...566301?hash=item3ae3991f9d:g:2-AAAOSwH09ZEEx- or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Singer-Pr...755512?hash=item238413f3f8:g:eBoAAOSw42dZDsHp Need collecting of course, not sure where you are though. You can download instructions and spares list from the internet and spares are readily obtainable. My machine is fitted with a 2880 rpm motor which is very fast so I changed the motor pulley to the smallest available which makes it much slower. Several models available - mine is the 20u43 which gives a bigger zig-zag(I think!). These use industrial sewing machine needles which have round shanks so need inserting correctly, unlike domestic machines which have a flat on the shank.
Beware of some Singer domestic needles made in Brasil - they are rubbish. I use Schmetz, Gros-Beckert or Organ. I suspect others are just as good, this is my experience.
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I am in North Manchester so a fair way to come. Delivery on that will not be cheap i bet.

Thanks for the suggestion ;)

wilkinsonsails said:
That Brother is a good machine ,it should cope very well with what you want to do .
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Thanks Cindy, PM`d you ;)

It wasnt this hard to but a Tig welder. Has anybody tried to sew a canopy by hand....could make this easier lol.
 
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Go for it
I made my spray hood last year for our Fulmar having watched the Sailright videos, and am very proud of it. All the tips above are good, I wold only reiterate care about the pattern , make one don't use the old cover and spend twice as much time on this than you thought . lastly make your seams have a little extra spare in them so that if you want to you can alter them. I cut the excess on mine back after checking it fitted.
 
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sarabande said:
OK, some more answers, or may be questions.

Handpowered Jones Sailmaker, will cope with anything.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powerful-...k-Dacron-Vinyl-Webbing-V69-V92-/332215789366?

From a company I have not heard of previously, Retro Recon . They have lots and lots of portables and semi-industrial machines, and the prices are very good.

http://www.retrorecon.co.uk/

01 637 000 000
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I called the previous suggestions about the Beminia 730 A very helpful chap, Only he does not have anything for sale now, mainly runs the website. He recommended the 730 a bit low on power and will the belt will slip so look out for the larger series 800 etc.

I have come by this.

This needs a service but sounds good from reviews i looked at on the net, a metal inner frame though ?

What is involved in a service, is it a job i could do ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172660990370?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


And maybe even better owd one this is.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Dut...437308?hash=item41c48cd1bc:g:8rwAAOSwsXFZEuut


Not yet called Retrorcon but will do asap.

Hand crank though...no motor, will that not be darn hard work or am i missing something ?


seumask said:
Go for it
I made my spray hood last year for our Fulmar having watched the Sailright videos, and am very proud of it. All the tips above are good, I wold only reiterate care about the pattern , make one don't use the old cover and spend twice as much time on this than you thought . lastly make your seams have a little extra spare in them so that if you want to you can alter them. I cut the excess on mine back after checking it fitted.
Click to expand...

I need to make a frame yet so this will be a complete one off, even from the original boat as if i had the original from screen and no solid canopy i could of got a canopy made fro less than £700.

No massive rush so i will take my time on the pattern ;)

PCUK said:
Sailrite definitely have zips videos as I've watched them many times. Actually you'll find making the canopy is a piece of cake and any old sewing machine will sew acrylic canvas.
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Hi Peter.

I have seen the zip videos, now it is more cutting etc for the access doors. If to cut out the side section them Hem it separately etc.

I will suss it out ;)

Oh and still on with the new venture, just got a few things to fettle first ;)

Sketch i did last week, yellow is the zip, the blue canvas and black hem.

DOORS.png
 
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Sailrite machines are available in other guises..
This eBay link to Sailrite LSZ equivalent
looks like one of the machines from where the Sailrite LSZ originally came from.

The story goes that Sailrite used an existing machine, did some extra machining, added some extra value then moved manufacturing to ensure accuracy of castings/drillings. Now they have a full machine setup that where they can ensure consistency and have good support.
These original versions are available bit this looks to have a rather high price - but would be an excellent portable walking foot machine :) (No relation to seller).
 
Martin_J said:
Sailrite machines are available in other guises..
This eBay link to Sailrite LSZ equivalent
looks like one of the machines from where the Sailrite LSZ originally came from.

The story goes that Sailrite used an existing machine, did some extra machining, added some extra value then moved manufacturing to ensure accuracy of castings/drillings. Now they have a full machine setup that where they can ensure consistency and have good support.
These original versions are available bit this looks to have a rather high price - but would be an excellent portable walking foot machine :) (No relation to seller).
Click to expand...

That would be ideal, well if it was £500 cheaper.

From what i have found and seen less than £150 will get me a good machine for the job. Lots of old Jones and Singers about.


Has anybody had a go at cutting canvas ( Sunbrella in this thought ) with one of these either 240v or gas.

I like the idea of the gas as some can be used as a small hot air gun for heat shrink and some have a good selection on temp settings.

s-l1600.jpg


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ferm-Buta...593249?hash=item568db45561:g:TisAAOSwLF1X5UvP
 
waynes world said:
That would be ideal, well if it was £500 cheaper.

From what i have found and seen less than £150 will get me a good machine for the job. Lots of old Jones and Singers about.


Has anybody had a go at cutting canvas ( Sunbrella in this thought ) with one of these either 240v or gas.

I like the idea of the gas as some can be used as a small hot air gun for heat shrink and some have a good selection on temp settings.

s-l1600.jpg


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ferm-Buta...593249?hash=item568db45561:g:TisAAOSwLF1X5UvP
Click to expand...

I always use Topgun canvas for all my covers and use a scalpel to cut it. It does not frey at all so no need for heat.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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