I know this "leather" sewing machine forum....but

[mixmkr]

Who else sews marine canvas?  Using Sunbrella, Top Gun, etc?   Bimini tops, dodgers, pedestal covers, etc?  PTFE thread, binding, hemming, etc.

I know many here gravitate towards leather projects (and I actually sometimes use it for preventative abrasion patching), but it seems there are also other "non leather" projects that many do here as well.  After A LOT of searching online, this forum seems to be the best that I've found as far as talking about "heavier weight" sewing machines, especially walking foot machines, which are pretty much an essential doing marine canvas work (8 layers of Sunbrella and 2 layers of clear vinyl?? :-)

 

Any rate, I'd LOVE to be able to bounce some marine specific questions off others...and offer my experiences as well.

Thanks!

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2017 by mixmkr

[Roq]

I've done some awnings with Sunbrella, never 8 layers. Lots of marine info here

[mixmkr]

Sailrite is top notch.  I've got their wholesale account and the service is stellar.   Their pricing with some items is really good too, when compared to other similar sources, like West Marine, etc.

 

[trash treasure]

We usually buy marine canvas, sailcloth, thread, hardware, etc, from Challenge .

Call and ask for Becky - Have her send you the catalogs : http://www.challengesailcloth.com/search?q=gc00

Also Bainbridge for some hardware - Used to be they "preferred" that you order in larger quantities, but not too bad lately : http://www.bainbridgeint.com/

Also Dimension Polyant, for some colors of sailcloth - We usually deal with Moose, at their US warehouse:

Address: 78 Highland Dr, Putnam, CT 06260

Phone: (860) 963-7413

 

Edited February 18, 2017 by trash treasure
more info

[cdthayer]

Most of my work is doing repairs, but I did plan, cut, and sew one new Bimini Top out of Sunbrella and Vinyl Laminate (T92 thread) using my Consew 225.  Otherwise, I’ve resewn the existing hems and seams on boat covers, awnings, and truck tarps with the 225.  I usually rolled the machine out onto the sidewalk in front of the shop or into the alley beside the shop to do it, so I got some good advertisement out of those repairs.  Nothing like a guy sewing outside on a big project to catch people’s attention.  With my limited experience on marine sewing, bouncing questions off of me probably won’t get you much.

I used my Singer 111W153 to resew all of the webbing on a large mesh swimming pool cover one time.  Wow, that was a job!  That thing was heavy!  I spent most of my time folding, lifting, and refolding it to get it under my needle.

Also with my Consew 225, I’ve sewn new marine vinyl for small projects such as tractor seats and what-not, but just did the sewing to someone else’s specifications on the pieces that they had cut.  I did plan, cut, and sew some new vinyl covers for the head/face portion of some chiropractor’s adjustment benches out of his vinyl.  That helped me learn how to sew tight curves.

CD in Oklahoma

 

[mixmkr]

thx Trash.   I'm not going to get into new sail construction, but I certainly repair them...mostly wear points and stuff worn out by UV.  Too many good sail manf already doing it "right" and the effort would pay off probably if you're doing it for your own boat.  I've looked at those sites too, however my typical orders are per project, rather than stocking a bunch of fabric.  I'll keep zipper pulls, snaps and grommets...stuff like that, but I'm pretty set up for that now at this point.

CD...yeah those larger projects are more about getting it under the presser foot, rather than just sewing!.  Space AROUND the machine is a premium.  I've wrestled with some 45' long headsails and such, re-stitching the UV sacrificial strip and seams and getting a number of awning, biminis and dodgers under my belt  Making them wrinkle free, without being overly tight seems to be the trick.  1/2" difference over a 6 foot span with a seam allowance can mean a lot it appears... and stretching out a seam running joining panels together so that area isn't shrunk up.

Any rate...looking for ANY tips, feedback, shortcuts or sources for learning.

[brmax]

I'm a bit interested in the marine canvas stuff one might say and so, I do sew marine canvas.

Its like all the other interest here on the forum we, invest to enjoy it and with persistence learn along the way.

Id like to learn about more with leather snap fasteners, there is some cool options. As of now all I know of is the marine stuff like 24 size. Scovil brand is what I use exclusively and in that nickel over brass. Following with that I would like to put the question whats some great ways to inventory them? I don't really know the best and don't want to hijack the thread here either.  Though will say if I'm sitting here punching computer keys I wont enjoy data input. So in some way periodic inventory counts and I gather a separate on or off pc sheet or ledger is how many keep up but these are my current thoughts. 

Floyd 

[Wizcrafts]

I'm not a marine sewer by any stretch of the imagination. But, I do occasionally have repair jobs come in for Bimini covers and for edge stitching tents, tarps and vinyl banners. I sew all of these items on my long body Singer 139w109, which is basically a stretched out 111w151 (no safety clutch and no reverse). The body has 20 inches clearance to the right of the needle. Its maximum stitch length is 4 to the inch and it is perfectly happy with bonded thread sizes 69, 92 and 138. It allows me to not only sew parallel lines deep into the body, but also lets me rotate the work with less bulky buildup from folding it over itself on the right side.

The point I am trying to make is that if you sew vinyl or outdoor cloth items that might have stitch lines well in from the edges, a long body walking foot machine will be a benefit.

[mixmkr]

wiz...definitely on the long arm.  Fortunately new Sunbrella or marine canvas rolls up pretty easy and it comes in 60" widths typically as the max, so you always work on the "short" side.  I'm always on the lookout for a great value on a long arm.  That Tuffmaster I mentioned in a thread awhile back peaked my interest, but it seemed too alien and was a good 1/2 day drive for me.  The Apex Tuffmaster 30" long arm that Uwe thought was an Alder clone.  Nothing on the internet about it.  It was only $650, but I shy'd away from it because of its' unknown attributes.

Dang if those long arms aren't expensive.

Edited February 19, 2017 by mixmkr

[brmax]

A tough part is 60" rolls on each side of the ole needle and 30' more or less in length sure is a task.  I dearly love wood tables but here this time i picked up some industrial agri. white and with a bit of hardener, my how a slick table is a blessing. One friend an ole pro in this is a southpaw and this i found was a benifit because sometimes / many one needs to stand and handle the rolls through while operating the treadle, yes with much canvas behind draggin, propped up how ever, and what a crazy task sometimes. Same guy when i figured out he was left handed and so gave him some guff why he was so good around that machine doing them big jobs like the rolls mentioned, yep you can bet he was grinnin.

Floyd

Edited February 19, 2017 by brmax