- Location
- United States
I have purchased a Paki soft top for my 40 and needed the fabric gromets installed to recieve the turn buckles. In case you were not aware, Eshan and his fella's DO NOT INSTALL THESE.
I went to various boat and auto upholstery shops to get these put in (I needed 18 of these installed). Their quotes were outrageous AND I had to leave the cruiser for installation. So strike that I idea! Soooo..... Long stroy short, I purchased a cutter and the hardware from a well stocked shop. I'm all done with the tool and want to "pass it along". The install went perfect!
Couple of notes on doing this:
- Mark where the gromet assembly will go and then move it up a little like 3/16" or so then punch your hole (THanks Ground Up).
- Note how many turnbuckes you need for your application. My '68 tub already had the pre-drilled holes. You'll need 18. For later years, you will need 4 for each side. This has been discussed before on another thread.
- Place a peice of soft lumber (like a pine 2x4) underneath and give the punch a firm wack. THis will easily go through all the layers of fabric.
- Take your time. Make sure everything is snug. Make sure your top is sitting the way you want it BEFORE knocking holes in the fabric!
- Pratice on a scrap peice of fabric first.
- DO NOT DROP THE PUNCH! It is sharp and you could ruin the cutting edge.
- If you need turnbuckles, I suggest getting OEM. They are pricey but cdan or your dealer may get you some for a reasonable price. I did not try others types of fastners as suggested on the board.
The gromet fits perfectly with the OEM turnbuckle. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO USE THE TOOL TO INSTALL THESE but it is SOOOO much faster. You could use an exacto knife but plan on cutting little holes all day.
The punch cost me $60.00. The fastners cost .25 each (so a front and a back costs .50). What I'd like to do is to "move" the tool to the next person who needs it. Also, I can supply the gromets. Use the punch then move it along to the next person (make sure you get your $60.00!). Use this thread to keep track of it.
1. You brake the tool, you buy it.
2. If you want to keep the punch, fine. Just let the board know and I can get another one.
3. Move the tool along. In other words, be ready to use it. Hopefully it won't sit in any one place too long!
4. I can supply the gromets so you can get them right away. Remember it is not necessary to use the tool to cut the holes but believe me you wish you did!
5. To move things along, make sure you have the turnbuckles in hand (or on your tub!) and your top is ready to go.
6. Get a couple of extra sets of gromets... one for a practic run and a couple as spares.
I'll get the tool and necessary gromets out Priority Mail to the first person who needs it. Just send $60.00 + .50 for each set of gromets. If you want the gromets, PM me and I'll get however many you need out right away.
Man this post is too friggin long already. Hopefully you folks have the idea. Bottom line ..... Install your gromets at home and for 18 of them it will cost you about $10 plus postage. If you have 8 to do, it will cost you $4 plus postage.
Pictures!
I went to various boat and auto upholstery shops to get these put in (I needed 18 of these installed). Their quotes were outrageous AND I had to leave the cruiser for installation. So strike that I idea! Soooo..... Long stroy short, I purchased a cutter and the hardware from a well stocked shop. I'm all done with the tool and want to "pass it along". The install went perfect!
Couple of notes on doing this:
- Mark where the gromet assembly will go and then move it up a little like 3/16" or so then punch your hole (THanks Ground Up).
- Note how many turnbuckes you need for your application. My '68 tub already had the pre-drilled holes. You'll need 18. For later years, you will need 4 for each side. This has been discussed before on another thread.
- Place a peice of soft lumber (like a pine 2x4) underneath and give the punch a firm wack. THis will easily go through all the layers of fabric.
- Take your time. Make sure everything is snug. Make sure your top is sitting the way you want it BEFORE knocking holes in the fabric!
- Pratice on a scrap peice of fabric first.
- DO NOT DROP THE PUNCH! It is sharp and you could ruin the cutting edge.
- If you need turnbuckles, I suggest getting OEM. They are pricey but cdan or your dealer may get you some for a reasonable price. I did not try others types of fastners as suggested on the board.
The gromet fits perfectly with the OEM turnbuckle. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO USE THE TOOL TO INSTALL THESE but it is SOOOO much faster. You could use an exacto knife but plan on cutting little holes all day.
The punch cost me $60.00. The fastners cost .25 each (so a front and a back costs .50). What I'd like to do is to "move" the tool to the next person who needs it. Also, I can supply the gromets. Use the punch then move it along to the next person (make sure you get your $60.00!). Use this thread to keep track of it.
1. You brake the tool, you buy it.
2. If you want to keep the punch, fine. Just let the board know and I can get another one.
3. Move the tool along. In other words, be ready to use it. Hopefully it won't sit in any one place too long!
4. I can supply the gromets so you can get them right away. Remember it is not necessary to use the tool to cut the holes but believe me you wish you did!
5. To move things along, make sure you have the turnbuckles in hand (or on your tub!) and your top is ready to go.
6. Get a couple of extra sets of gromets... one for a practic run and a couple as spares.
I'll get the tool and necessary gromets out Priority Mail to the first person who needs it. Just send $60.00 + .50 for each set of gromets. If you want the gromets, PM me and I'll get however many you need out right away.
Man this post is too friggin long already. Hopefully you folks have the idea. Bottom line ..... Install your gromets at home and for 18 of them it will cost you about $10 plus postage. If you have 8 to do, it will cost you $4 plus postage.
Pictures!