Low cost value helm seats

I've just gone self sufficient on that score and "treated" myself to a brand new Sailrite sewing machine. About £800 but recognised the world over as THE machine for small volume canvas boat cover work and sailmaking. I'm thinking it's much easier to do my own cover tweaks and repairs than schlepp down to the specialist firms and wait 4 weeks when they're busy. I'm happy to lend it to anyone because I won't even run it in during the next 10 years but alas it is too big to post of course

Have you no (man) pride! You'll be entering the "The Great British Sewing Bee" next!
 
Have you no (man) pride! You'll be entering the "The Great British Sewing Bee" next!
Agreed. First it was scatter cushions and now it's sewing machines. Am I on Mumsnet by mistake?;)
 
@Deleted User/Petem: Oi! It's ok so long as I'm making boat covers not dresses and stuff.:D
Do what you want, jfm, we're all supposed to be in touch with our feminine side these days;);)
 
The price of plastic these days. It's obscene!

I did look into the blocks from various places but I needed them quickly and these people have a really good service.
http://www.directplastics.co.uk/
I phoned them
We started talking about their Nylon product but as soon as I mentioned water - they said that it could expand by as much as 20% when wet!!
The Nylon stuff would have cost me about £35 each block
They then advised me to use their Acetal product which doesn't expand in water.
I believe that both materials were machinable - I'm no carpenter but with the material I bought, I was able to chisel out for the bolt heads.
 
Interesting stuff Hurricane, thanks for posting. Can I also congratulate you on having the most pristine workmate that I've ever seen! :D

Actually, the workmate has had very little use.
Bought it when we moved the boat to Spain.
It has been hanging on the wall in my Paniola waiting for a job like this.
(A Paniola is Spanish for a "lock up store room" that most of us have at Sant Carles)
 
Hi Mike,

New seats, better looking, more comfy, with arm rests AND cheaper than Oem. Sorted! :encouragement:

They look quite a lot better than original. Really pleased for you, worth the hunt. :cool:

Excellent.
 
After the show, all my emails were answered by Manuela Tollens
And this was the email address - I did mention in my emails that you were going to call on the stand.
info@topmetallic.de
Yup my first reminder email was answered by Ms Tollens but there's been radio silence since then. I'll keep trying
 
I did look into the blocks from various places but I needed them quickly and these people have a really good service.
http://www.directplastics.co.uk/
I phoned them
We started talking about their Nylon product but as soon as I mentioned water - they said that it could expand by as much as 20% when wet!!
The Nylon stuff would have cost me about £35 each block
They then advised me to use their Acetal product which doesn't expand in water.
I believe that both materials were machinable - I'm no carpenter but with the material I bought, I was able to chisel out for the bolt heads.
ive bought from them before Hurricane. Seems a good firm. I didn't know the nylon expands in water and have never experienced it but good to know of the possibility. I have machined their nylon with good results and for many components it saves lots of machining time to have them made in plastic not metal. You should see the price of their PTFE by the way. Feels like buying gold!
 
@Deleted User/Petem: Oi! It's ok so long as I'm making boat covers not dresses and stuff.:D

(Isn't it? :/)

Yeah, but its a slippery slope. Firstly it's man stuff like sails and boat covers. Then it will be the odd scatter cushion and curtains for the boat. That 'escalates' to curtains at home. Next you'll be fixing a broken trouser zip as its less hassle than taking it to the menders. And before you know if you'll be making dresses and entering sewing bee competitions. Just be careful!

Anyway, I always imagined JFM towers to be a pristine white, clutter free and minimalist penthouse flat. Perhaps the Shard of something like that. Saying you've got a sweing machine rather shatters that illusion!
 
Excellent job Mike. If you are wired like me you will now be basking in a warm glow of satisfaction for a job well done.:encouragement:
 
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