Fire Fighting Turnout Gear Repair

[Wizcrafts]

13 hours ago, Smartee said:

Looking for info on which needle for thread - this post is the best cross reference i've seen for what i'm looking for.  Thread looks to be #90 best I can tell (Tenara 8oz) and calls for a #20 needle for what i'm doing.  So it looks like I need a 7 x 3 #20 to fit my CB3200?

TIA!

Yes and no. A #19 needle creates a smaller hole giving a tighter thread fit. This means less water will get into the holes. However, you can use a #20 needle with T90 thread if the material is bulky and you are sewing over thick seams. The larger needle can resist being deflected better. The holes will be a little wider though. It may not matter if the construction deflects water spray anyway.

This advice applies to any gear that will be used outside, like motorcycle and snowmobile seats. Smaller needle holes make for a tighter thread fit and less water penetration..

[Wizcrafts]

I guess it was no coincidence that I felt the need to give some input to this topic. I have a side job sewing blackout window blinds for schoolroom doors. I work 2 days a week sewing these blinds with Nomex thread. When I went to the shop on Sunday there was a full fireman's suit on the Consew table. The Mount Morris fire dept is across the street and they want us (me) to repair their gear! Coincidence? I think not. Kharma?

If I get this gig I will be a lot more active in these discussions. I will need help sourcing some materials. If this topic gets more attention and draws more new members, I will create a new sub-forum to discuss sewing fire fighting gear.

[chrisash]

Sorry Wiz but must ask, "why do schools need blackout blinds for their doors"

[kgg]

3 hours ago, chrisash said:

"why do schools need blackout blinds for their doors"

Normal ones are for blocking sunlight to help keep the room cooler while others are for security. Do a google search for "Hideaway Helper classroom security blinds".

kgg

[Wizcrafts]

7 hours ago, chrisash said:

Sorry Wiz but must ask, "why do schools need blackout blinds for their doors"

Because of active shooter alerts inside schools. The blackout blinds prevent shooters from seeing where the kids are hiding. They are supported by anti-kick-in door locks on the floor, which we also make at Nightlock.

[chrisash]

It's hard for us in the UK to understand the pressure you guys live with day by day. we have been lucky in that we only had one large school shooting in a Scottish town called Dunblane in 1996  killing 18 people including the shooter, and shortly after the government banned all handguns throughout the UK and strict controls on licence for rifles and shotguns

Schools have locked entrance doors and fence around the outside perimeter as far as practical but that's about it

[Wizcrafts]

May I ask you guys who are repairing turnout gear, where do you buy your Nomex thread and what sizes do you use on various parts of the suits? I am hoping to find one supplier who stocks multiple sizes in different colors, just like we have in the bonded nylon field.

My thinking, after looking over the suit they left on my table, is perhaps T60 on Reflexite and numbers; T80 or 90 on cuffs and some heavier weight on suede overlays (T105+). I am finding really odd Tex sizes in my search for Nomex suppliers. Some thread has two different numbers, like 100 Tex 24 Firefly, or Tex 105 Protos, or Tex 700 Protos.

From the suit I have, I see Khaki, black, yellow and white thread. Some is in the T60/T70 range and others look like T90 to T135. I see black denim cuffs and black 4 ounce suede over knees and elbows.

[Smartee]

On 3/21/2021 at 2:07 AM, Wizcrafts said:

Yes and no. A #19 needle creates a smaller hole giving a tighter thread fit. This means less water will get into the holes. However, you can use a #20 needle with T90 thread if the material is bulky and you are sewing over thick seams. The larger needle can resist being deflected better. The holes will be a little wider though. It may not matter if the construction deflects water spray anyway.

This advice applies to any gear that will be used outside, like motorcycle and snowmobile seats. Smaller needle holes make for a tighter thread fit and less water penetration..

Thank you Wiz!

[MtlBiker]

On 3/23/2021 at 10:48 AM, Wizcrafts said:

May I ask you guys who are repairing turnout gear, where do you buy your Nomex thread and what sizes do you use on various parts of the suits? I am hoping to find one supplier who stocks multiple sizes in different colors, just like we have in the bonded nylon field.

My thinking, after looking over the suit they left on my table, is perhaps T60 on Reflexite and numbers; T80 or 90 on cuffs and some heavier weight on suede overlays (T105+). I am finding really odd Tex sizes in my search for Nomex suppliers. Some thread has two different numbers, like 100 Tex 24 Firefly, or Tex 105 Protos, or Tex 700 Protos.

From the suit I have, I see Khaki, black, yellow and white thread. Some is in the T60/T70 range and others look like T90 to T135. I see black denim cuffs and black 4 ounce suede over knees and elbows.

I just bought some Nomex thread, believe it or not for making oven mitts. 

Anyway, American and Efird has a thread called ANESAFE (using Nomex) which is available in Tex 27 to Tex 90, in white and colors.

 

[AaronKK]

On 11/5/2020 at 10:34 AM, ArtV said:

Hi all, been a long time lurker but I have not posted up much. I have done some research into this and have not come up with much........ 

 

I am a leather worker who is looking at purchasing my first sewing machine........... here is where the question changes.   I believe I have narrowed down what I need for my leather goods, the Cowboy CB3200.  My question is.......... can I do turnout gear repair on this same machine? I would need to run nomex and kevlar thread. Any and all imput is appreciated. 

 

Thanks!!

Hey Artv! Just following up to see how the turnout repair is going? Interested in starting this myself. Thanks!