Builds 1965 FJ45lv build up/resto thread

[buckroseau]

UPS man came tonight at the house, or Santa, which ever you prefer.

Ordered up some samples from that auto upholstery website last week I posted, came today. Sample material and colors of the the upholstery I thought would be appropriate, sample welting and sample thread colors.

I also got a book from the same website on how to upholster. First thing I noticed when I opened the book is that they start talking about sewing machines in chapter 1.......The little bit I read I don't think the wifes home unit is going to cut it??? So...this is what I got.

I have: Upholstery, People to sew, but no machine to do it.

So, I am going to begin the search locally tomorrow for a heavy duty machine, maybe some old lady has got one buried in the basement? I might know a few people to ask that might point me in the right direction.

If not locally I will expand my search to ebay

If anyone knows anything about sewing machines, chime in, I know nothing

Matt

 

[buckroseau]

1 more

 

[cruiser_guy]

You are right! The wifes machine WON'T cut it, nor will an older machine if it isn't specifically for upholstry. If there is someone who does boat covers or that sort of thing they will have the right machine. That's the problem my daughter had. She found someone with the machine, bought the material and then the person with the machine backed out (they couldn't make time, couldn't find the machine etc. etc.).

 

[buckroseau]

Well, I need to find a machine that will work, and like everything else I want it cheap

Before the dreamstompers get on board here and start telling me how this machine won't work, keep in mind, I KNOW NOTHING about sewing machines. I'm learning right now.

Check this one out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/INDUSTRIAL-STRE...8230142211QQcategoryZ3118QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I realize it's super cheap, but it says, "It will sew easily up to 8 layers of heavy denim (jeans), 2 layers of 4.5 oz real cowhide leather, 6 thickness of heavy boating vinyl and all kinds of upholstery fabrics."

The thread chart I got for the auto bonded high spec nylon thread says it a #69 and that is what this machine does?

I don't know????? Start telling me why it won't work now ;p

Matt

 

[cruiser_guy]

Matt, do you have an upholstry shop around there somewhere? Why not go and ask some questions and look around. See what they use. Maybe they have an old machine they'll sell you or rent to you for a while.

I can't tell you on that machine since I know about as much as you do now!!

I know my daughter could do her door trim panels on the regular machine but not the seats and I've got NO idea why other than the thickness of cloth/vinyl/foam that went into it.

 

[Mikesta]

Matt, you should probably post the sewing machine question in the "Sewing" forum.

<-------- Smart ass.

Sorry, couldn't help it. Im sure someone on this mud forum knows all about them.

Your truck is looking great! Still drooling

 

[buckroseau]

I can see it now, right below the Hardcore corner forum.....




Sewing 101 forum



Maybe Woody will read this and get it set up ASAP



I'm sure there are 100's of members who find that ih8mud.com is really lacking in the sewing section ;p

Matt

 

[Coolerman]

http://cgi.ebay.com/INDUSTRIAL-STRE...8230142211QQcategoryZ3118QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I realize it's super cheap, but it says, "It will sew easily up to 8 layers of heavy denim (jeans), 2 layers of 4.5 oz real cowhide leather, 6 thickness of heavy boating vinyl and all kinds of upholstery fabrics."

The thread chart I got for the auto bonded high spec nylon thread says it a #69 and that is what this machine does?

Matt

Target has that exact machine for $129 and NO shipping if you have a Target store close by. http://tinyurl.com/8vn8j For that amount of money it might be worth a shot. You could always sell it on E-Bay if it doesn't work.
Here is a reveiw of that machine: http://www.epinions.com/content_154944048772

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Just an idea.. But I have a buddy with a ranch and he has a sewing machine they use to fix saddles and ?Tac? equipment.. it might be worth a shot to go to a local stable and ask as well. Might be able to use theirs or rent or buy an old one? Boat shops that specialize in sailboats have big machines as well for the sails..

 

[nuthinbutcruisers]

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest but don't get much time to post, but this might be useful.

Here's a couple of links to the type of machine you are probably going to need.

http://www.walking-foot.net/

http://www.mansew.com/apwalking.asp

and here's a link to an ebay auction http://tinyurl.com/av8mz
(not affiliated)

My mom's had a sewing buisiness for 30+ years and here's some thing I think I know. (I was never that interested and I'm not in the buisiness)

standard sewing machines have feeder teeth on the base that feed the fabric through as the needle does it's thing. The machines linked above, (walking foot) have the teeth but also have.. you guessed it.. a walking foot.

The foot (presser foot) on standard machines does just that. It presses the fabric together for stitching but also keeps the fabric against the teeth which moves it through the machine as the needle stitches.

The foot on a walking machine it a two piece foot that presses on the teeth AND actually walks the layers of fabric through the machine. These machines are designed for haevy fabrics, multiple layers (2 layers of fabric and welting).

A couple of thouhts

you might be able to rent or lease a machine

You could call a few suppliers and ask what type of machine they recommend for your jod, but do your shopping else where.. i.e. Ebay...

If you do choose to buy an industrial machine, be aware that these machines typically have a separate motor, unlike home machines that have the motor built in, and usually require a table that the machine rests in. The underside of the machine has exposed moving parts that rest in an oil bath mounted in the table.


I hope this helps

Paul

Keep up the fantastic work

 

[buckroseau]

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest but don't get much time to post, but this might be useful.


and here's a link to an ebay auction http://tinyurl.com/av8mz
(not affiliated)


I hope this helps

Paul

It all helps I like the one on the ebay link, the close up shots of the dog leg look super heavy duty, it's actually piece of iron??

I've been combing ebay a little bit this morning and making some inquiry's locally. I am going to look at an used industrial machine this afternoon at a local drappery maker. I spoke to him on the phone this morning and said they had an old heavy duty machine that he would sell, they really don't use it much anymore?

He didn't give me a price, said he would have one when I stopped over, so might be to much anyway? It was a single needle, which in the book I got said is what I want. He asked me what I was doing, I told him I need to sew threw at least 2 layers of expanded vinyl and heavy plastic auto trim welting. He said this machine would do that no problem

I will take a few pics and post, I'm hoping it's what I need and he says something like a $100 bucks. Might be wishful thinking on my part though

One other thing to mention. My next door neighbor is into restoring old junk also. He is currently working on a 40 ford pick up and is going to need to make an interior also. We were talking last night and he said he would go in half on any machine I bought since he wants to use it also.

Matt

 

[buckroseau]

Well made it over to the drapery place about a half hour ago...........

I am now the proud owner of a Singer/Merritt industrial sewing machine

Cost a little more than I thought, but much, much bigger and better condition than I thought.

The gal there folded a piece of vinyl over that was thicker than the stuff I'm using and sew'd through 5 layers like it was butter, could have went thicker she said.

She told me if I was going to do welting along the edge that I should use a zipper foot on the bottom??? It gets right along the edge of the welting and looks nicer and cleaner.

They are going to order that foot for me

Comes with everything you see, light, spool holders, big ass motor, table,etc...One thing that will take me a few minutes is that I have to wire a plug in for this, 220v

It is a has the walking foot in addition to the feed dog, also handles #69 thread and that is the heavy duty thread that I am using. Pretty much a perfect description machine that the book said to get.

Total cost...............................$200 bucks

Good deal? You be the judge.

Now I get Grandma up here and get her to work??

Matt

 

[buckroseau]

1 more

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Hey Matt, that is the kind the locals use over here to sew Bdu's up with, to include name tags and such. Thew work really good from what i seen from 20 years of going to the same place and they hardly ever had to work on them.

Project still looking good, going to start back up on mine soon, as in weekend.

 

[buckroseau]

Co-worker picked up my drive shafts at that machine shop in the town about 60 miles from here, he was going through there today.

He just got back, figured I better post some photos

He had to cut the pipe that was on that new AA shaft and put a larger one on. The AA pipe had a 2 1/2" ID and the Toyota yoke was 2 5/8". He put on a 2 3/4" pipe and sleeved down to 2 5/8".

Heading up to my buddy's tomorrow night for more sanding. I plan on bringing them with and make sure they fit before I hit them with epoxy primer and single stage ureathane.

Matt

 

[lowenbrau]

I've been looking for an industrial sewing machine like that. Good score! When you and your buddy finish your projects and decide to sell it, let me know.

 

[89s rule]

glad you found a good sewing machine. kinda felt like i was in home c watching this thread. Glad to see its going back to automotive. But also glad we all learned something new as well. Where are you getting all of your material etc from for the upholstery?

 

[buckroseau]

glad you found a good sewing machine. kinda felt like i was in home c watching this thread. Glad to see its going back to automotive. But also glad we all learned something new as well. Where are you getting all of your material etc from for the upholstery?

Same place I got the samples and the book probably

http://store.yahoo.com/yourautotrim-store/index.html

Matt

 

[MDH33]

Can't wait to see how the seats turn out. That's apparently a great machine. My girlfriend was looking over my shoulder while I was browsing through the thread and she recognized it. She said her sister (who lives up near Grand Marais) just bought one similar to sew canvas and nylon webbing with and paid $500. you got a good deal and I'm sure you'll save a ton over having someone else make custom seats for you.

 

[buckroseau]

Can't wait to see how the seats turn out. That's apparently a great machine. My girlfriend was looking over my shoulder while I was browsing through the thread and she recognized it. She said her sister (who lives up near Grand Marais) just bought one similar to sew canvas and nylon webbing with and paid $500. you got a good deal and I'm sure you'll save a ton over having someone else make custom seats for you.

Yea, I'm pretty stoked about it, even the wife thought it was cool last night when we were playing with it

That thing sounds like a jet when you turn it on and it spools up, the motor is huge!

The original owners manual was in it and I was going over it last night reading the service information. I have never seen a sewing machine that has an oil pan The machine tips back to expose the guts and the oil pan underneath, thing looks like it holds about a quart of oil. Has super heavy duty gears and shafts, also has an oil pump like a car that pulls it up and keeps everthing oiled. I'm going to run back over to the guy I bought it from today and ask what type of oil to use, I have now idea?

Needless to say, I am very happy. I am actually looking forward to the seats myself. And it won't be just the seats, I have to make the door panels also. I'm sure we will be sewing up all the carpet pieces with it, trim, etc.... Gotta make the matching spare tire cover of course......oh yea, new matching visors..........I'll think of more......

Matt