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I just got back from HD. I can get a 24x48 melamine board that will work for $11. I think I will put plywood underneath it for strength and drill my holes and stuff.

thanks for the pictures... I see on thehome depot website that they sell melamine boards inexpensively. I think I can make something I like for about $20. or maybe a little more... Thanks for the idea.
Zane

So Kathy with a K,

did your friend ever get the machine? if she is single and needs a tutor, please advise.

In other news, I made a cushion that snaps in to a Kayak for my mother a few weeks ago. I think it is an untapped market. Also, the fat/elderly kayak mount should be patented. I always wondered how they did it. Ive kayak on occasion but dont like to get wet. This is where yoga comes in. It takes balance to get in and out from a dock and stay dry.

Zane

the problem is that my table top is only 16" deep and 1: thick, soft wood, probably early 20's. The motor and clutch setup is one of the first ever made with a regular motor that drives a series of pulleys. I got a new motor ordered, and I got a quote for a formica table delivered for $75 that is cutout for my machine, drilled for my motor etc. I think that is what I will do.
Zane

I am in the process of designing a new top for a singer 111w table. I am putting a new motor on it, the kind that bolts behind the machine with three bolts. Any suggestions as to materials, size etc would be appreciated. My table top is so old that is is 16*42"... I am thinking 20x48 for a new one, using my old metal legs. I am thinking ab out using two thicknesses of 1/2" plywood and cutting the machine footprint in the top sheet and cutting an inner beveled lip on the second lower sheet to hold up the machine. Maybe cover the top with marine vinyl so its easy to keep clean and not much snagging

Zane

On thought that comes to mind on this is that if the seat covers are well made, they will have listing that you will need to cut at both ends and insert a rod and secure it to a seam in the foam. The other thought is that it doesn't have a giant heavy front bench seat to deal with... My fear would be of the unknown. You never know what may or may not still be there on the seats after 50 years. I guarantee you will find someones life story in the cracks when you tear it all down... You know what your time is worth to you. Consider things like removing a door panel and finding major water damage. Consider whether they bought the skins or whether you are selling them and getting a markup. Consider why the customer got this far and wants you to install them. Compare the cost you would charge to fab the entire thing and install it, subtract the fab time and most of the materials cost, add some aggravation, and consider that the customer wants it professionally installed.
Zane

Coolaroo is a product that is sold as a finished product. It is essentially sunshade. You need to ask your jobber for a "sun shade" - that is all coolaroo is, but its available in standard cut sizes or canopies at major retailers and you affix it yourself. I cant see how you could order it online, pay retail and then shipping and then recut it to fit your project and make any money.  Google Sun Shade.


Zane

http://www.coolaroousa.com/view-product.do?product_id=799870435998.

I dont know what your friend wants to do exactly, assuming upholstery, if the price is reasonable, it is a machine that is current enough to do what you want and old enough to be tried and true. The max is 5 stitches per inch, it reverses and it is fast... I dont know how this particular one is geared, but she will probably want to slow it down or learn how to slip the clutch. This machine is a self oiler. A lot of folks make a living with this machine
Zane

Mike,

It appears that you are doing an excellent job by hand... With a single needle machine, you would need to cut a strip of vinyl, run it through a double fold clean finish hemmer to do one side, then reverse it and do the other side. The trick is getting the center of the finished product to touch and hide the staples... You might need to tweak the folder to accept a thick vinyl and something like spray silicone might help it slide in. I personally dont get along well with folders, but it is doable, especially if you are running a bunch at once. It has also been my experience that the folder dosent get in sync for a few inches so yu have waste at the start, which also becomes the end when you turn it around. I found something on the Cutex Supply website...

Zane

http://www.cutexsewingsupplies.com/servlet/the-1276/DOUBLE-FOLD-SEWING-MACHINE/Detail