I'm very impressed! That's amazing work!
I think I drink too much coffee to attempt this!
I am always so impressed with the talent of the people in this group!
Best wishes with the new year!!
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I'm very impressed! That's amazing work!
I think I drink too much coffee to attempt this!
I am always so impressed with the talent of the people in this group!
Best wishes with the new year!!
Yeah color me impressed. I'm looking for someone somewhere to make me a black top. I was thinking of going to a place that make convertible tops.
Ha ha... I get the coffee thing. My wife and I covet it. Twice a day. :D
Tom, I don't know where this soft top project is headed. I say hold on for now and maybe something can be worked out later. I need to have a conversation with someone and see what is possible here. In the mean time I will keep at it. In hopes of producing something outstanding. I need to add some more fire to my irons. :lol:
I asked OD Cloth if they do any other colors, and their answer was a flat no. They only do OD green. I was considering going down the same path, and would love to know if you find anyone willing to do other colors.Quote:
Originally Posted by teking
These companies could easily just change fabric. I am not sure but I think New life canvas will do different colors. And as usual they are backed up by months. Even back when I was super active here on this site, they had a long wait then too. Their web page shows family issues. These companies have the patterns. I am trying to create them and it is a challenge. I have several adjustments to make. A 1/2 inch here, an inch minus there, etc. I can probably make tops later. I am faced with needing an income, and cursed by a very long list of needing to do home stuff unrelated to this fun hobby. I honestly enjoy the work on stuff like these tops. But want to get back on the truck so I can put it behind me. I will cross that bridge or jump when I get there.
I am loosing another day from the top work. An unexpected long road trip and a neighbor called and has a broken hub on an old Ford High boy. I am the go to guy up here where I live. I will teach him how to do this work. I am hoping to be sewing again by tomorrow. It gives me time to plan assembly.
Cheers,
Once you get the pattern done, I would definitely be interested in paying for a copy/template to work from. The truck I bought has vinyl that's stapled and screwed onto the windshield and a plywood back, and it leaks.
I've been sewing a while, and would love to make my own, mostly because there are no companies that offer insulated soft tops (I need it to keep the Texas heat down). I was thinking of adding a layer of thinsulate or something similar into it, as well as incorporating some of the nice features of some other tops (zippered rear window, etc).
Here is a quick guide for your sewing machine. Get a angle bar from home depot or the hardware store. You only need about 2-3 inches. Put Doble face tape on one side and tape it to the machine deck at your seam allowance. This will give you a fence to run the fabric against to keep your seam straight. I did that for a few years till I got practiced at it.
That is a great idea. I do have some 1 inch aluminum angle in the shop. It would help with a couple of the seams. But I am finding a lot of stitching that I have to roll up or fold the entire top or back panel and try to get my straight stitch done. Around corners and U-turns. I have to plan on how to do the stitch and make sure the bulk of the material will fit where I need it to as I follow the panels. So far I am getting it. And with concentration, I am producing better stitches or seams that I would send out to others. The first run through on the rejected header panel was pretty ugly. I would not even put it on my truck. :D Slowing down I was able to find my sewing mojo again. Yes I still need the experience that makes perfection. But I am happy with what is happening up to now.
I can't even think to prepare patterns for sending to anyone right now. The amount of work going into this is more that it looks like. Later if the planets align right, maybe I can develop patterns or even produce tops for others. But not right now.
My neighbors broken locking hub turned out to be a broken ring and pinion. I have a correct used set for him. He is broke and does not know how to do the repair. We all really need 4 wheel drive here. I am giving him my gear set and I will install them for him. I will never use them. So I am trading out the needle and thread for a dial indicator and contact paste. I really want to knock this top out. And make another. I will be back at it right soon. Now where is that aluminum angle ?:) Thanks K8icu..
Well almost there. I discovered I need taller side panels. Easy to extract and replace thankfully. I definitely have a lot of changes to the patterns. But it is starting to materialize.
Adding the hold down straps. My locations were different than the used top. I hung the back panel and marked center on the footman loops. Glad I did that.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
I put in a bigger window. I wanted to have a slightly bigger one than OEM.
I put an edge around it. It was difficult to sew in.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
Installed minus door frame snaps. It will pull tighter when the side panels are snapped in. I will replace them and it will help. The window is great and the straps are spot on.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
I'll be... It is turning out pretty good for a pile of guess work.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
Front snaps on. Black of course. I hope to find satin instead of gloss black.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
This is what I need to correct. I will have to make new taller ones.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
So far so good. My hands are sore from all the pushing and pulling. The next top will be even better.
Happy New Year. :)
Dang Al...just keep rocking!!!
What CAN1'T you do????
:)
I have to say man thats very cool. Good job!!!! I'll take a black one when you are done!!! For reals!!!
Looks great. Really wish I had the time to dedicate to something like that. I'm just trying to get mine driving at this point (brakes)...lol
The dishes...:DQuote:
Originally Posted by brute4c
Some days are diamonds. Not today apparently. I spent the majority of the day on the top only to decide most of the day was a learning curve. Nothing big except I put blue easy release masking tape on the back window to keep from scratching it while doing some work on the sewing machine. I removed it to go in for dinner and not leave it on overnight. Well the tape ruined the window. Streaks from the adhesive. It somehow reacted with the window. They don't rub out. So now I need to replace it. It was only on for about 2 hours. Two steps forward, one back.
I want to finish this top before making another and applying the needed changes. My patterns are needing enough changes to toss them after new ones get made. I have a lot of hours into this so far. Part of the deal. I seem to generate a lot of scrap sometimes. :)
That will happen when you're making a pattern from scratch. I have that problem when I'm asked to make leather garments for people. I've gotten to the point where I make a pattern and then cut and sew the pattern out of cheap cotton material, fit the person make adjustments to the material and the pattern rinse and repeat till it fits the customer and then cut and sew out of leather. You are basically doing the same thing just using up your canvas. Also don't get too wrapped up about your stitch lines. Take a close look at some GI tops and the stitch lines wave to you. LOL. Keep up the good work it's looking great!
Funny, I had considered making the top from some vinyl I had left over from some FSJ door panels. I had just enough and elected to not do it. I wish I had now. But the only panels I had to toss and remake were the little side panels behind the doors. They were to short to reach all the way down to the cab. I think next time I have something like this come up, I will take your advice and make it out of something to check fit. I appreciate you mentioning the pointers. It seems there is always a lot to learn. And it really helps when someone is generous with their know how. That is exactly why I post a lot of stuff. This arena however was a new one for me. So thank you K8icu. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by k8icu
With that being said. I am done. With the first one anyway. I have a lot of changes to apply to the next one. Is this top perfect? No, but it sure will work. I had to make a lot of changes to get it to fit well. The front header and the back panel did not need to be reworked. But the top and the side panels pretty much kicked my butt. I just kept at it. I am not liking the plastic strap locks for the inside. They are weak and twice now I popped the thumb lever out and had to put it back. I was probably prying on it wrong trying to pull the back down. I may replace them with metal or use two hands. I also broke 4 needles replacing the back window. Not one needle issue with the rest of the project. Trying to put a new window in after the whole top was done was very difficult. Trying to wad the whole top up to fit through the machine was fun. I need to order more needles. The shop I used to get them from has closed. It is a special needle with a relief grove in it. That is where they broke being thinner.
So my truck is very dirty. Every time I put the top on the check fit, it got dirty. So you will probably see smudges here and there.
The next top I am making for Eightyduece. For setting me up so well for this project. I am grateful to him for being so helpful. Thanks Eightyduece.
So, It takes me a very long time to make one. After I get his done I am back to the truck to catch up with metal work. I will consider making these later for Zone members. But not right now. Thank you for understanding.
So here it is.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
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https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
Continued....
Hopefully some of the wrinkles will come out with summer heat. I was a little concerned with the shop temps making this. I ran the heat full bore to try and build it with as much warmth as possible.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds
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I will get some needles on order. Hopefully I won't need them. I will time myself on the next one. To see how long it takes.
Cheers.
I won't forget your post Teking. Lets see how the next one goes.Quote:
Originally Posted by teking
I know you say it's not perfect, but that looks great. If you decide to make them for forum members, please let me know.
Nothing short of awesome. Nicely done
I think you did an amazing job. I don't think I have the patience to create what you did. But that's true for about 99.9% of the stuff you do. I wish I had a pinkies worth of your skill- gonz
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwiltx
Later with Jon's (Brute4c) permission, I would make a post offering them up. I wish is was not such a long process. I have one more to make, but I won't rule out making them to sell later. I guess I will cross that bridge or jump when I get there. Thank you...
Yours will be the new improved version. :D I will get an email off you you soon. I have some questions for you. I am looking for needles in Spokane this morning. And I could use some more binding. I'd rather drive for 4 hours than wait for shipping. I will email soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by eightydeuce
I fake it a lot Gonz. :D Sometimes it actually works. I owe what I know to my Grandma. She could make anything from a pile of discards. And she did. She had a craft room that I remembered as being huge. Pottery wheel, bins of everything, etc. I saw it later as a teen and it was a little wing of the home that was essentially a laundry room. Amazing things came out of that little room. Funny how you remember things from being a kid. I wish she was still around.Quote:
Originally Posted by gonz
OMG thats it!!!! Me likey! Lets talk when you are ready. Very nice work my man!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaiserjeeps
By the way, what fabric are you using? Duck canvas?
Same here.
It is a very modern waterproof convertible top material. Sold on all new convertibles on the market today. It is miles above canvas duck fabric. Extremely strong, very tear resistant (I can't get it to tear) and very good looking with a small tight grain similar to a high quality bed sheet. The inside has a slightly textured surface that resembles very miniature diamond plate. Both sides black and very nice looking. There is not one thing wrong with canvas duck. I'd use it too. But this stuff is really something.Quote:
Originally Posted by jwiltx
FYI, my seams are not waterproof. I am intending to try and learn how to make them waterproof and that includes the window. For now rain can migrate past the stitching. But hey, it's a military truck right?
I've looked into it in the past (I used to do industrial sewing) to waterproof the seams of a backpack I was modifying. There's a waterproofing tape that you can use to cover the hem (adhesive-backed), or there's something you can put between the fabric and fold it over a few times before stitching.
Ah, I see.. I have been wanting to see how to try and waterproof the window and seams. I have been to tired for my regular late night schooling surf sessions. That is when I learn the most. Thank you.
I've never done windows, but I imagine that it should work with that too, or maybe a light bead of silicone before stitching?
That sounds like it could get messy. :D:D I suspect attempting to seal the top will have to get put on the list with the other 300 things I wish I could actually get to someday. You just never know. It may be a long winter.
Currently working on a second top right now. Still slow going but getting there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaiserjeeps
Permission granted...get to it!!!!
:)
Thanks Jon. I am not sure about making them yet. The tops would probably be a lot more expensive than the canvas duck tops. The material is very expensive and obviously very superior to canvas. I am still trying to complete the second one with some changes. It takes me days to make them and I doubt it would be worth it trying to keep them affordable while maintaining the quality that has to be there. I do really want to complete my truck by summers end. I enjoy doing these, but I want to go putt around the woods more. We will see. I am not decided just yet. But I am grateful for your post.
Whats best for you is best...if you want to produce one for others every so often, Im sure there will be people who want them...you'll figure out the right balance...I know you have a good head on your shoulders!!
If you're willing to make a pattern out of something more lightweight (like duck), I can sew and I'd be willing to pay for the pattern, so that you wouldn't have to spend your time making it. You've documented the process well enough that the basic instructions are here...lol.
Where did you get your fabric? Is that something you can get at a fabric store or something more specialized (online or upholstery shop)?
It takes three yards with no mistake allowance. As you can see the price hits 300 plus before it ever sees the cutting table or sewing machine. So far it takes me 5 days to make. I will never price gouge. I also can't do stuff to break even and or not make the appropriate funds for the time and sweat involved. There are cheaper fabrics. But if you read up some, Twillfast is the best.Quote:
Originally Posted by jwiltx
https://prestigeautotrim.com/uk/mate...rtzfabric.html
This place is higher in price. Many places won't sell retail. But you can find them.
http://b-dco.com/jeep-twillfast-black/
My patterns are not dialed yet. I am still working on the second top. I also lost power 4 times in two days here. Nothing got done the last couple days. And I am starting my neighbors ring and pinion gear change this morning. I am not fast at anything so I shall return. :)
Nice work! It looks great.
The first one takes the longest, the second one takes just as long because you're making improvements, the third one takes slightly less because you're working out how to streamline it. The fourth one the time is slowly getting less...the 35th one is like tigga dee boo done in no time. You will get faster with repetition. But hey if you don't want to be making M715 tops all the time then don't. Hope you get your truck done and can enjoy some wheel time this summer!
Quote:
Originally Posted by k8icu
How funny and completely accurate. :D Made me laugh!