Messages

ROTFLOL!!!   ;D

June

Me too, Rich.  And I curse like a sailor most of the time - not ladylike, but goes with the territory.  But, he's disappeared.  Seemed legit at first.  Hey guy from the North, where are you? 

June

Hey, if the customer's happy, that's all that counts, whether you like it or not.  Bent frames are always a serious challenge. 

But, you see that dip just after the aft bow and behind the forward bow?  That's what Peppy was referring to in his thread about "pushing" the seams.  You can minimize that with pocket placement.  I'm not sure it can ever be eliminated completely.  Guys????  Pics?

All in time.  It took years before I was happy with a bimini and some I produce still put wrinkles in wrong places that frustrate the heck out of me.  I'll bet guys in this business for 20+ years are still trying to perfect their canvas.  I know I am. 

Keep up the good work.  Customer satisfaction is king! 

June

Bobby when I sew a seam on a top face to face I bind the underside then I top stitch the seam as you woulould normally but now it has a nice finnished inside that wont ravle.

So, if I'm uderstanding correct, you bind the two edges while you sew the together face to face?  Then fold to one side and topstitch?

I don't bind when joining - I like my joining seam to be at least 1/2" from the edge.  I bind while topstitching (sew from underside and hand-apply the binding to the edges as I stitch).  I don't bind if the edges are factory woven and won't ravel anyway, but if one edge is scissor cut I'll bind.

June

I wonder if they only do low budget jobs for re-sale stores?

Not at all!  Boca Raton is a very high-rent district.  They're in the center of town in a quite-nice light industrial area.  Shops there go for probably 50% more per square foot than elsewhere, just for the location.  Only thing I can justify their quick fix methods for is the fact that Boca is "new money" as opposed to Palm Beach (20 miles north) "old money" and people here have to have the latest and greatest and probably change their furniture every 2 years because someone at the country club changed theirs.  Now in Palm Beach, you'll find priceless antiques being reupholstered.  Not here.

June

just the 4 sides June Id ballpark $2500. what did you quote?

I bid $2200, they bid $5200.  Guess I need to raise my prices. 

No word from the giant cover - I'm kinda hoping they gave it to someone else.  I'm doing a sundeck cover now that's 27 yards and that's quite big enough for me, thank you... 

June

Their shop is about 4 miles down the road and they've been in business for as long as I can remember - at least 25 years.  I've never used their services or knew anyone who did, but I have to say I'm shocked! Tape???!!! You gotta be kidding...

June

he just picked it apart. and  at the last brought up the time frame issue.

He needs his head examined.  There's not a canvas maker out there that could've done a better job.  Great looking top and enclosure.

June

I'll tell you in a couple of days - just in case a competitor is watching the group here.  Way too big to cover the whole thing.  It'll have to be in at least 2, maybe 3 pieces. 

If I get it, the larger space will certainly help.  I don't think I could do it in my old shop(living room). 

June

Today had to bid on a full mooring cover for a 310 Sundancer - to the waterline, including arch.   Probably 90 yards of Sunbrella.   Sigh.   I need a vacation.  Gave them an outrageous price - hopefully they'll give it to someone else. Anyone ever done one?

Also have to do a full enclosure on a 23' Proline walkaround including hardware installation.  Now, cause I was booked, got a competitive quote.  Theirs was more than 2 times mine.  What would you ballpark this?  It's a hardtop, about 15' around total.  1 smiley in the front.

June

GROAN.....  ???

I bind the whole mess with centerfold binding.  I don't like the hot knife - too slow and I don't like the fumes.  I'd never deliver a cover that has the possibility of fraying.  Not in this market.  It'd be the end of my business.  Pinking shears - did that once or twice -my hands can't take it.  So, the centerfold not only stops fraying, but it also protects the gelcoat from those sharp/rough melted edges caused by the hot knife.  Good selling point in a market where people are willing to pay for quality and protecting their investment. 

June

Flame the raw edge so the zipper tape doesn't fray, then wrap a piece of 3/4" double fold binding over the end and sew it down.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''|^--| ^{<----- fold across teeth so it acts as zipper stop.}
Zipper tape ^                                                                           Binding ^

Yup. 

June

Sounds like a nasty spell ahead of you.  Hang in there and join us on the board when you can.  You shop will wait.  Your homework task while your body is not cooperating is to use the noggin to design the next best solar shade.  You're not done with improvements yet, are you?  We'll be pulling for you!

June

I have never yet, after 6 years, come across a boat cushion that was put together with standard staples.  They're ALL stainless.  Now, if they'd only use stainless T-nuts....  life would be so much easier.

June