doing my 1st boat seat cover reupholstry job...

Kjgrwv1

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Oct 30, 2024
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I have done indoor furniture before but not a boat
I need advice on the staples to use I have a Craftsman Pneumatic stapler1/2" Crown Stapler Oilless 20Guage, 3/8 to 1" length op pressure 60-100 psi

I need to know what size staples to use and what psi???

I know I need SS staples, I purchased Marine Vinyl and the biggest thread size/strength reccomended for my home machine already this is for fresh water only.
Thx in advance Kat
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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The staple length depends on what you are going through and what you are shooting into.

I use 3/8" and 1/2" staples

I would run the stapler close to 100-120 psi
 

Kjgrwv1

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The staple length depends on what you are going through and what you are shooting into.

I use 3/8" and 1/2" staples

I would run the stapler close to 100-120 psi
On this one it's going through the marine vinyl and into a 7/16" composite board. I'm going to assume that the rest of the seat cussions are the same, but not sure about the seat backs as they are bolted through fiberglass. Thx, Kat.... I put a link to the vinyl below
 

JASinIL2006

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Make sure you thread is UV-resistant. We had some upholstery repairs done and the shop didn’t use UV-safe thread and now our seams are splitting.
 

tpenfield

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A home machine is not going to do much in regards to sewing vinyl upholstery. To do a decent job you will want a walking foot machine (compound feed would be even better). Sailrite or Consew would be brands of machines to consider.

The thread will need to be either bond polyester or PTFE (Tenara or Solarfix) . . . 92 weight for seams and 138 for top-stitching. These threads may also be too much for a home machine.

SS staples are what I use. Mostly 3/8" or 1/2" depending on the backing board thickness.

There is a 'Newbies in Auto & Boat Upholstery' group on Facebook that you could consider joining to get a lot more detailed information and guidance. ( I am an Administrator of that group )
 

Kjgrwv1

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A home machine is not going to do much in regards to sewing vinyl upholstery. To do a decent job you will want a walking foot machine (compound feed would be even better). Sailrite or Consew would be brands of machines to consider.

The thread will need to be either bond polyester or PTFE (Tenara or Solarfix) . . . 92 weight for seams and 138 for top-stitching. These threads may also be too much for a home machine.

SS staples are what I use. Mostly 3/8" or 1/2" depending on the backing board thickness.

There is a 'Newbies in Auto & Boat Upholstery' group on Facebook that you could consider joining to get a lot more detailed information and guidance. ( I am an Administrator of that group )
I have sewn/made a Motorcycle seat on my home sewing machine before and it worked fine sewing through 2 and 3 layers of vinyl..and I also have a walking foot for that same sewing machine. I think I joined the newbie upholstery page too after this one. Thx
 

froggy1150

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Nov 3, 2017
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I have a consew walking foot and a old singer that can do leather. I tried to fit the correct upholstery thread into that machine and it would not work around bobbin.
 
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