She's looks great with her top off!!!

[MIKENVAHBEACH]

But, I would really like to keep the bimini top on. I know it was sneaky but at least I have your attention and you looked did'nt ya?.....Anyway, I have a bimini top that is old but in good condition, the zippers on the top and on the cutrains have started to fail and I also need to repair the trimming around the top and cockpit cover. I would like to attempt this repair myself, what do I need? Do I need an industrial sewing machine or can I just use the wifes? Are there special needles and threads? How about the zippers, can I get this stuff from West Marine, Boater's World or Boat US? Would it be cheaper to get it from a canvas supplier? Any and all help is greatly appriecated!!

 

[wallbanger2]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

Mike I just watched an episode of ShipShape TV that had a tour of a marine cavass company.They used industrial sewing machines (they are an industry after all), so I cant say if the wifes Singer would work or not. I can tell you that they used Goretex thread though to stitch everything together. They also used nylon zippers to prevent corrosion problems from starting. It all looked pretty straight forward to me, so I think it probably is DIY freindly. <br />Try a test run on an area that is already coming apart. If it works, then I would use one of those seam rippers to cut the old stitches out after using pins to hold the seam in place. Then stich back over the same lines. <br />Hope this helps, Vince

 

[Link]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

Of Course I was gonna peek <br /><br />I've done lots of them! Lots=1000+ @ least in part<br /><br />The only thing I have that you don't is several industrial sewing machines and your wifes may work just fine.<br /><br />A: Everything you want to buy you can and I have several suppliers who sell retail to the public.<br /><br />B: Lets slow down just a bit, if your zippers are hosed missing teeth etc then you need to replace them. Or if this is just somthing you want to do great!<br /><br />Zippers are sold by the foot and come in three basic parts.. and several styles<br /><br />The zipper (both sides), the slide, and the stops all of which no special tools are required for the causual repairman.<br /><br />If your teeth are in good shape you may only need to replace the slide and the two stops. 5 bucks mabe.<br /><br />90% of the time it's the slide getting worn and the zipper comes apart in places or doesnt go together at all.<br /><br />If this is the case, here is a test you can do. Open the zipper all the way up. Then just get it started and then take a pair of needle nose plyers and squeeze down on both sides of the slide. Too hard and it will break! then try zipping it up again.. if it works it's just the slide that needs to be replaced. The nice thing is that the quick fix will last a long time by its self. <br /><br />Let me know what you want to do.. and like anyone else here I'll help as much as I can.<br />Oh if you deciede to go all the way on the project yes there are seperate needles for leather canvas and nylon.. also for different weights of thread but were are only talking pennies compared to a water pump kit <br /> <br />Link

 

[gewf631]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

Here's a couple sources of info...<br /><br />This forum has a lot of info - you may have to go through the archives, but it's there.<br /><br />Also, if you can pick-up The Big Book of Boat Canvas by Karen Lipe, it's full of info for this type of project. If your library can't get it, the book's less than $20.<br /><br />Finally, Sailrite has a lot of do-it-yourself info, complete with instructions for making one from scratch.<br /><br />Hope that helps,<br /> Ed F

 

[nitsuj]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

Alright, someone owes me a new mouse. I saw the thread subject and clicked so hard I cracked a button.

 

[MIKENVAHBEACH]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

Wallbanger, Ed, and Link-Thanks for the replies guys. The top has a good stainless steel frame and the canvas is getting old but I think a coouple of years are still there. The zippers are shot, most of them are missing teeth, so I would like to replace them all. Are there specific companies that make zippers for the tough marine environment? Is there any tricks to sewing with the sewing machine? I guess a huge throw off table would be a start, any other items I need to aquire for the jobto make life a little easier? How long will this take, a weekend job? I have a 22' Pusuit walkaround with a full cockpit cover. <br /> <br />Justin-Don't hold on so tight buddy!

 

[envy83]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

So your wife doesn't kick your butt, I would head to the local/sewing craft store and buy as heavy duty needle as you can. Most brands have needles available for denim/leather projects and one of those should do the project without breaking. Also when putting in zippers, baste them in first(ask your wife if you don't know what that is) and then go back and do the really small-tight stitching. 10 or so feet of tiny stitches would be a real b tch to pull out if you realize you started it off crooked.

 

[Link]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

MIKENVAHBEACH<br />Looks like ya owe nitsuj a mouse hehe Dirty OM anyway <br />Just stopped by the house for a lunch break. Will get back with you this evening. Check out the web sites Ed F gave. a little spendy on prices but makes up for it with the advice.<br />IE: a 3 oz tube of 3M 5200 $9.75 when you can buy a 10 oz tube at Lowes for $8.95 But on such a small job most of it would be wasted anyway..so the 3oz is more than enough.. <br /><br />Guess your next task is going to see if your wifes sewing machine will sew through the zipper cloth/webbing and canvas.<br /><br />Dont worry about the right thread and needles at this time just see if the machine will sew it. <br /><br />Oh as nitsuj said if you baste the zippers on first it is a lot easyier.. We have always used water proof contact cement for basting! Yea a little over kill but they dont move!<br /><br />Back to the grind... will check in tonight 10 11 ish<br />Link

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

I have resewed the bimini top on my pontoon twice, with the wifes sewing machine. the last time I sewed it I found some multiple strand nylon thread at wally's world, and I hope it will last longer out in the weather.

 

[boge]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

If you could get a hold of a model 191 or 201 Singer sewing machine I guarantee you will be able to sew. they were built back when Singer still built good machines. If you go to the right shops you can get specialty needles for canvas, naughahyde etc. Some materials require special needles. There are also specialty threads for various materials. Some waxed for lubrication. You should also be able to pick up a attachment to replace the bobbin. that way you aren't restricted by what it will hold. I sold these machines for years and found them to be great for this type of sewing. These machines are gear driven so they will sew through pretty heavy material. I have a couple but won't part with them.

 

[Link]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

boge<br />Man after my own heart! Have a singer 223 with a straight and vamp foot for it and a Singer I think 30-1 long arm patch machine.... The bad part is that I get stuck sewing everything LOL but I dont mind <br /><br />Link

 

[duck-n-pond]

Re: She's looks great with her top off!!!

If you don't want to chance war with the 'other half', keep your eye out at flea markets or yard sales for an old Singer - thats what I am looking for. The oldies as mentioned above are heavy klunkers like a chunk of cast iron but not very programmable! My mother has one, but she won't let me have it. If it doesn't work for the job, or you won't plan on using it anymore, you can use it for an anchor or moore, then pull it up in a few years time and sew again! In the meantime, I used my wifes to make a snowmobile seat cover using a heavy duty needle no prob. If your ruthless, you can borrow one from Ned Flanders next door (if you know what I mean)! Just kidding