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  1. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Here is today's progress. I Made the first seat covering. Not perfect . . . a few boo-boos. I'll be making a few adjustments to the pattern cutting and the stitching sequence to hopefully make things a bit better & easier. Here are a couple of pics . . . . . . I am liking the green, after all...
  2. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Canvas work is done . . . At least for now. I completed the new mooring cover today. . . Here are a few detail pics . . . . I got the supplies for OTWS to seal up the plywood backings. Next steps are to disassemble the seats and see if I can use any of the existing plywood. I also...
  3. tpenfield

    Need advice on getting bearing carrier off on Bravo 3

    >>> 1) Do you have to use an acetylene torch or is MAPP gas enough? Heat is stupid, it does not know where it comes from. I used a heat gun and maybe a propane torch >>>> 2) Are you applying downward pressure at the same time you are moving the torch around and heating it up or can you do it...
  4. tpenfield

    Need advice on getting bearing carrier off on Bravo 3

    You want to gently heat the area of the casing right next to the bearing carrier. I think the torque spec is about 200 ft-lbs, so that will take a good amount of torque to loosen it. Here are some pics from my my Bravo 3 adventures, if that helps. . 'Righty' (clockwise) is loosey. So I'm...
  5. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Canvas Update - Mooring Cover. . . I made the rough material for the mooring cover today. 4 Panels sewn together and top-stitched. . The dimensions are 9' 6" x 16' 3" . . . a bit bigger than my table :eek: . I'll use the old cover to get an outline of the shape. Here is a detail photo of...
  6. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Canvas Update: I finished off the zippers on the bimini and am now working on the bimini cover. The edging of the cover pretty much came off with the old zippers, so I made some new edging to sew in along the perimeter and with the zipper. Here is one of the two zippers all done. . . I am...
  7. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    I tried my hand at canvas work tonight . . . Replaced the first of many zippers on the bimini top. It was not too bad, considering the size of the canvas . . . rough;y 8' x 8'. . . This particular zipper is one of four that hold the bimini to the frame ribs. I think I have 8 zippers total...
  8. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Tip du Jour . . . The sew foam comes in a compressed package wrapped tightly in plastic with much of the air sucked out. After it is unwrapped and unfolded, there are still a lot of wrinkles and compressed areas of foam, which won't just come out over time. In its wrinkled state, it is pretty...
  9. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Update . . . I got the sewing machine threading issue figured out. So, I practiced on the Sunbrella and some of the new vinyl w/ 'sew foam' backing . . . Here are a couple of pictures . . . sewing through the Sunbrella (left) and the vinyl (right). . The v-138 Tenara is fine for the...
  10. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Thanks Lowlysubaruguy the heavy Tenara is on order, so we will have to see how that goes. I am planning on using the 'sew foam' backing which has a layer of scrim to hold the thread better than lust the vinyl itself. I plan on using 4mm (6 spi) stitching on the seams and 6 mm (4 spi) stitching...
  11. tpenfield

    Why do we leave a gap under the stringers?

    Why do we leave a gap under the stringers? . . . because, that's why :D As stated, the stringer will create a hard spot if it is in direct contact with the hull and the impact of water on the hull will tend to cause cracking of the gelcoat in the area of the hardspot. Offsetting the stringer...
  12. tpenfield

    DIY Upholstery & Canvas Repair Advice

    Update . . . gear ratio. I went to tractor supply and got a new drive pulley with 5/8" bore (2" OD). Wouldn't you know it the drive pulley that came with the servo motor is 15mm bore (75mm OD ~3") :rolleyes: The shaft on the motor is about 0.590" (i.e. 15mm) and the bore on the new pulley is...
  13. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Update . . . I ordered the pink vinyl. This is the stuff that Formula used. There is a company in CT that bought the remaining supply of legacy colors from Formula. The owner told me that someone came in and bought a large supply just before me (like 20 yards) . . . Really :eek: . . . that...
  14. tpenfield

    DIY Upholstery & Canvas Repair Advice

    I received the servo motor and top stitch walking foot (feet) yesterday. The motor is an 'Enduro SM-550' . . . seems to be OK. Still takes a bit of getting used to with the pedal pressure, but I can keep the machine running at about 120 RPM, which will be great for corners and curves. The...
  15. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    I keep finding 'surprises' as I remove the old seat covers. This is the curved backrest to the port settee. . . It has an 'anchor' (yellow arrow) that goes through the middle of the seat foam (red arrow), much like the seat bases have. I was a bit surprised to find an anchoring strip on a...
  16. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    I think I got the 'curved' channeling piece figured out . . . . . I just made some angled stitching on each 'channel', starting at the inside of the curve. I'll need only 1 piece like this on the port side settee. The rest are all straight. I'll be ordering material over the next week or so...
  17. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Making progress . . . I started out the day thinking that I am a failure at curved pieces. Well, I was. . . but now I am getting the hang of it. Here is may latest practice attempt trying out the 'banded' ends rather than curved/wrapped. I think this will work. :) . . . . I have a set of top...
  18. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    Update - Seat Backs I have been practicing making the end sections of the seat backs using a similar approach to the existing seats. In doing so, I am finding the curves are a bit difficult to get just right. Soooo, I 'think' I have come up with a different approach that is more in my skill...
  19. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    More practice . . . I am starting to work on making corner pieces, both from a pattern cutting and stitching perspective. I made this last night, but quickly realized I need to accommodate the seat back taper, so another, more complete test pattern is in the works. I'm hoping the foam...
  20. tpenfield

    Time to re-upholster - Formula 330 SS

    More practice . . . I made a second panel to get some more practice in before trying to make the panels for real. Thankfully, I have not ordered the material yet, so this is all on spare vinyl. The real vinyl will have a 1/4" foam backing, so I think it will give the channeling section more...
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