Replacing Eisenglass

[J.Wilt]

My front eisenglass panels need to be replaced, would like to do it myself (ok it's the admiral who's good with the needle):thumbsup: figure we could upgrade to .4ml Srataglss with the money saved. Anyone have a source where we can buy the rolls of clear plastic?
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[carterchapman]

Jeff,

We are going to do the same thing.

Here's where we got ours:

http://www.scalisemarine.com/vinyl.htm

$170 +$15 for a shipping drum + shipping

Sue ordered a Necchi 3101 heavy duty sewing machine here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220614501284

Although I suggest Googling Necchi 3101 and you may find one cheaper...

 

[J.Wilt]

Thanks, where you going to use the .03 or .04 ml? Post some pics.

 

[carterchapman]

Thanks, where you going to use the .03 or .04 ml? Post some pics.

Jeff,

Got the .04. It wasn't much more expensive. The local canvas shops didn't even want to talk Strataglass "because it's so much more expensive". that's when I found the website - and as you can see - the difference between full sheets of 30 mil CC 20/20 and 40 mil strataglass was only about $60.00 - a "no brainer". That's when we decided to do it ourselves.

We won't be putting the panels back up until October, so it's not high on Sue's list right now!

 

[JediJD]

This is a thread I want to follow. Having seen the meticulous work you have done on Reward...this should be quite a head turner when complete.

 

[douglee25]

Here's my two cents....whatever that's worth...

1. For sewing glass/canvas together, you're going to need something around #69 thread. The machine pictured above is probably not capable of running that thread. Even if it can run that thread, it's not going to run it correctly.

2. That brings me to my next point, the machine needed for this project is a walking foot sewing machine. There are several models out there that will do the job. Look up the Singer 111w. It's an older but very very robust machine (lacks reverse). Many of the new machines today are built on the basis of this model. Another model is the Consew 206R or 226R. Other brands are Juki, Pfaff, etc. What these machines will do that the machine pictured above won't do is physically 'walk' the material through the machine evenly, both the top and bottom. With the machine above, the walking mechanism only walks the bottom portion of the fabric, not the top. You'll need to try and feed the top with the bottom in order to stitch the material. The problem is that the material is so thick when you start stacking them, that it's not too easy. I'm not saying it can't be done with the machine pictured above, but you're going to stuggle a lonnnng time before you get a consistent stitch. I personally have the juki 1541 and it's a beast. The only downside is that it's pricey!!

3. The materials and equipment needed to do the above project aren't cheap. Check ebay, craigslist, and your local sewing machine shop. You'll basically proably break even with what someone may charge you to redo the glass vs. the investment in equipment, but you'll have the equipment for future seat and glass repairs.


Doug

Edit - I just want to reitterate, the machine on ebay is not a true walking foot. It has a walking foot attachment, but they are not really what you're looking for when doing this kind of work. I'm not knocking Carterchapman in any way. The machine may be able to struggle through the material, but it's not going to sew it quite like a true walking foot.

Here's a close up of the 1541 in action on youtube (I just did a search). You can see the walking foot action close up.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=276OAo5pITQ&NR=1&feature=fvwp[/YOUTUBE]

 

[carterchapman]

Thanks for the info Doug,

The vendor says it won't do 92 thread, but will do 69, and up to 1/4" of leather or multiple canvas layers, so I'll let you know how it goes...He'll take it back if it doesn't hack it...

 

[douglee25]

Well you may be OK then. Keep us posted!

Doug