New Toy (for vinyl work)

[bajaunderground]

As some of you know I got the Chris Craft that needed a new motor (done) and needed a new interior. I am the king of cheap/freebies, but sometimes, I even surprise myself! I was planning on getting the interior done professionally; however, I am cheap and the only reason I wasn't going to tackle was because of my older, carppy machine!

So my good friend (the one I took the road trip to Tennessee with) wife mentioned her parents had a 'commercial' sewing machine she bet they would let me borrow?!

Well yesterday she texted me back saying "She said you could have it" My heart skip a beat (Side Note: Those that don't sew will not understand the importance of this statement!) I figured it was an old family machine similar to the Westinghouse-Free I had already acquired and used on the Baja? So, I am excited to get the interior of the Chris Craft done, I asked her how soon I could come and get it? She checked with her parents and they said today @ 1:00pm. So, loaded kids up and headed out to Elbert Colorado (About 20 miles East of C/S)...

Here it is...

A Juki DLN-415-2

Never seen a sewing machine with an oil bath...this one has one. Machine will run 5,000spm way too fast for me!
History: The machine was in the Denver Woolrich's plant (still has a Woolrich's inventory sticker on it.) was originally a 240v 3ph, was converted to 110v single phase.





Can't wait for my vinyl to get here!!

~Brett

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Wow,.... Waayyy Cool,.... Nice machine, 'n even Nicer Stand/ table,...

I've got 1 from Sailrite in the other room,... Wish I knew how to sew better,...

Done a few things, broke a couple of needles,...

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

This is a way more serious machine than my previous one...just practicing I keep breaking thread! It's ridiculous fast!

 

[further]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Nice score baja... There's gotta be a way to throttle that motor down some? I've read that you can change out the pulley on the clutch motors to a smaller size on some machines to slow them down.

I've also got a 1996 concept 18 (just picked it up about a month ago and its cleaned up real nice) What a difference from my maxum in build quality. I'm redoing the sunpad currently and have all the hardware sourced and replaced if you need the info. The original sunpad wood is actually still in good shape, screws just stripped out from the struts and hinges... I may rebuild and reuse. If you need any measurements or patterns; let me know.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Thanks Further...
It's easier to place a block of wood under the treadle to stop it from going full speed, rather than messing with different pulleys...or I can just practice, a lot, and get the feel down!? A lot of the time it's a matter of pushing the treadle just enough to engage clutch, then rolling the pulley by hand. The only down side to this particular machine is it's limited to 4mm maximum stitch distance...

I practiced a few stitches last night... Over stitch and a french seam. This is with smaller nylon thread, not the larger 16oz polyester bonded stuff I'll use for the actual boat.
Over stitch:



French Seam (I really like this look, but increases amount of work?): Not straight, but was more getting the tension right for thickness.



My wood was in pretty good shape overall. I'm pretty sure there was enough of the vinyl left to make decent patterns and what not? I'll hit you up if I get lost or need a few dimensions?

~Brett

 

[further]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Awesome looking stitches!! I'm jealous, my little singer can't come close to that lol

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Awesome looking stitches!! I'm jealous, my little singer can't come close to that lol

Unfortunately, most home machines cannot match the industrial machines...I redid my BAJA (<----link to thread.) using a 1940's westinghouse-free machine, it worked okay, but I busted a lot of needles!

I just ordered new needles (the correct size/style opening for the 16oz bonded polyester thread) and new dogs and plate (to accommodate the aforementioned needles and thread).

I am in the process of ordering a new pneumatic stapler as we speak...I'm wrought with decisions...do I get a more professional upholstery one with the 1/2" crown ($99 and north) or do I order a 3/8" crown model ($20-$38) and get the standard T50 stainless steel staples from my local hardware store??? I know the arguments for and against...I'll more than likely get the cheaper one as I have no plans on doing this professionally or again?! On the otherhand, this will be boat number 2, and I have the machine for it?

Paint me ambiguous?

~Brett

 

[further]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Waiting for mine to come in the mail. I decided to go cheapy and ordered the 20 gauge wide crown stapler from harbor freight last week for $22.99 plus 20% off and I'm using t-50 monel staples. They're a bit more expensive but from what I've read they're the way to go for a rust free application. I decided I'd rather pay more for good staples than the gun as long as the gun drives em right.... We will see if my logic is sound soon enough.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Nice score on the machine! To bad with a machine like that speed is a killer for the beginner allot of practice is in your future or find a way to slow it down.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Nice score on the machine! To bad with a machine like that speed is a killer for the beginner allot of practice is in your future or find a way to slow it down.

I'd personally rather master it...

But a wooden block cut to the thickness where the treadle hit's the desired speed should get me there too!

Further...I'm thinking that's the route I'll take On my Baja I used the old skewl Arrow hand stapler with the Arrow SS T50 3/8"...2,000 staples later!

 

[further]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

I'd personally rather master it...

But a wooden block cut to the thickness where the treadle hit's the desired speed should get me there too!

Further...I'm thinking that's the route I'll take On my Baja I used the old skewl Arrow hand stapler with the Arrow SS T50 3/8"...2,000 staples later!

Yikes!! Hand stapler? I've got an electric black and decker that I tried and it aint cuttin it with the starboard material, hence my latest tool purchase.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Nice Job on the Stitches. Trust me, It takes a while but...Your foot and leg muscles WILL get used to that pedal and pretty soon you'll be able to sew at ANY SPEED you want. ONE Stitch at a time or 3000 a minute!!!!

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Great score bajaundergroud! There's a perfect excuse for a road trip. You'll have hours of entertainment now for sure. I haven't even come close to the upholstery work on my bucket of fiberglass whatever you want to call it, but I had some stuff done on a camping trailer by a shop. It wasn't cheap at all, or fast. That thing is great.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Great score bajaundergroud! There's a perfect excuse for a road trip. You'll have hours of entertainment now for sure. I haven't even come close to the upholstery work on my bucket of fiberglass whatever you want to call it, but I had some stuff done on a camping trailer by a shop. It wasn't cheap at all, or fast. That thing is great.

That's a great idea...hmmm? My camper's vinyl and such are in really good shape, but I'd like to modify them some!!

 

[sphelps]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

Nice machine ! I sure wish I had a better one when I did mine . Stitches look great !

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

I had some of the canvas replaced on it when I was rebuilding it a few years ago for a winter over project. The shop charged me $200 plus. I didn't see it for about 2 months either. When I got it back, they had sewn all of the zippers closed and only replaced about half of what I paid them for. I took it back.
Anyway, you'll be rockin with that thing soon enough and you'll be able to do the work the way you want it done. But, I guess I didn't need to tell you that. I wouldn't even know where to begin with one of those things and my mom has had and used one for as long as I can remember. She builds all kinds of stuff too. The stuff you would pay good money for at the store or at a specialty shop. Too bad I don't speak to her any more after she cut the brake lines on my car with it!:facepalm:
Great tool man!

 

[jimmy wise]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

try a piece of firm foam under the treadle. I have a machine with a belt reduction on it. that juki is pretty fast at 5000. its a factory machine. its real fast my consew is 3500. check into the reduction setup. call alberoni in la ca

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

try a piece of firm foam under the treadle. I have a machine with a belt reduction on it. that juki is pretty fast at 5000. its a factory machine. its real fast my consew is 3500. check into the reduction setup. call alberoni in la ca

I spoke with Peggy at Ralph's Industrial Sewing Supply in Denver for $200 I can buy a servo motor with speed control...most likely won't spend the funds. I'll try the foam trick!

~Brett

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

I spoke with Peggy at Ralph's Industrial Sewing Supply in Denver for $200 I can buy a servo motor with speed control...most likely won't spend the funds. I'll try the foam trick!

~Brett

Ayuh,.... How 'bout a smaller pulley on the motor to slow it down,..??

Try a post in the Electrical forum, 'n see if there's a way to electrically control it better, 'n slow it down,..??

Movin' the pivot points of that treadle system oughta slow it's motions too,....

 

[further]

Re: New Toy (for vinyl work)

I'd personally rather master it...

But a wooden block cut to the thickness where the treadle hit's the desired speed should get me there too!

Further...I'm thinking that's the route I'll take On my Baja I used the old skewl Arrow hand stapler with the Arrow SS T50 3/8"...2,000 staples later!

Hey Brett,
Just wanted to let you know I got my pneumatic 20 gauge wide crown stapler from harbor freight in the mail and tried it out. Worked like a charm. For $20 its a no brainer... Here's a pic of what I got done today...




Figured I'd show off my sewing skills.. .or lack thereof lol!


Happy New Year!!