Messages

 ;D A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year to You All! ;D

It gets kind of cold here, sometimes, but it doesn't get really cold here.  I've been in Minneapolis, Minnesota in February.  I know cold!

We have a gas heater in the shop, one of those ones attached to the ceiling.  It uses a lot of gas, and electric, whereas our kerosine heater puts out a lot of heat in a short period of time.  Its one of those big, but portable, kerosine heaters.

They're supposed to burn at 99.3% efficiency, or something like that.  I've used it in my house and had no fumes or gases that I could tell although we had to open the doors and windows it got so hot in there in a very short time.

We still use the kerosine heater on days when its cool and damp, but not cold.  Its got a cage built around it too so you won't get burned but I like it because it keeps my coffee warm in the morning! ;D

Jim

I had a woman call me who had just purchased a cedar swing set for her kids and wanted a quote on making a water proof cover for it because she didn't want the weather affecting the pretty wood.

Figuring such a job was going to require a large amount of material I told her the cost would likely be more than what she paid for the swing set.  Much more.

She called me back a couple of days later and said she planned to move the swing set into her garage for the Winter.  That was three years ago and I haven't heard back from her since.

Jim

... And where are my keys!? :o

I've read some of the info about threads from the various suppliers and occasionally I'll see a reference to "Fresh Thread."

Now, I don't store thread in direct sunlight, near heat or anywhere where stuff, (beer), can get spilled on it.

Some of the spools of thread I have in the shop have been around a while.  Some for years and others several months.  

I mostly use Poly 138 / 92 or Nylon 69 threads and always use new thread when working on marine canvas.

My question is:  What is categorized as "Fresh Thread" and what should be considered stale, outdated or beyond its freshness date?

Your thoughts on this topic are eagerly awaited.

Jim

That vinyl material is heavy and can be difficult to handle.

When working with it I'll roll or fold the portion not being worked on but it helps to have a second person maneuvering the excess material around and also to help guide the material through machine.

Jim

Here's some on Ebay with free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hog-rings-upholstery-trap-making-stainless-steel-cage-/160668775998?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item25689af63e

Drop me an e-mail if your looking for wholesale quantities.

Jim

You might want to give HH-66 vinyl adhesive a try.  It bonds vinyl quite well and you don't get that hard easy to crack weld, especially in cold weather, that you get with heat sealing.

Admittedly, the HH-66 adhesive can be messy and ideally you will need to use it outside or in an area with a high level of air exchanging.  The fumes can be overwhelming and there's always the risk of igniting if there's an open flame nearby.   :o

Other than the previously mentioned dangers it's good stuff.

Jim

I make covers for all sorts of outside applications and I mostly use the 18 oz. vinyl.  Its great stuff, inexpensive, and holds up for years.  

Basically its a woven polyester substrate covered with PVC vinyl.

There are varying grades of the material, 10, oz, 18 oz, 22oz. ect. and its available in a variety of colors.

Here's some of the technical info:

Base fabric - 5.2 OZ. SY 100% polyester
Coating - PVC
Width - 61 inches
Total Weight -18 oz. per square yard
Tear strength - 81/83 lbs.
Tensile strength - 444/441 lbs.
Low temperature, -40 degrees F.
Flame resistance - No
Shade Factor - 100%

Covers and tarps that I made 5 years ago are holding up great and as you may know we get some crazy weather up here.

Jim

Sorry to hear that George was suffering.  Hope he's doing better now.  Get well soon George!

The customer likely would have turned out to be difficult.  Good riddance to her anyway.

Whenever I hear about animals not doing well they really do need be the priority.  

They cant' tell us what's wrong with them and they give us humans so much, and ask for so little in return, that when they do ask, like when yelping in pain, that it's best to act quickly...  Even at the risk of losing a customer.

Our shop cat, Jack, got into a fight with a raccoon recently and folks in the neighboring shops all chipped in to help pay the vet bill.

Seems Jack is not just our shop cat but many places "Shop Cat" too.   ...and he keeps the bugs away! 

Seems he's still working on the raccoons! :P

Jim

Last Spring I made a table that is 6' X 8' and put wheels on the legs.  It works great and I can roll it around to join up with the other table.

Its real handy If I'm working on a piece that's really long like a sail or an extra long cover or tarp. 

The bottom half of the table holds rolls of material and other stuff / junk.

The kids joke about using it as a giant skate board!  :o  I fear one day they will.

Jim

Mike,

I've thought about doing the repair / rebuild work on sewing machines but it seems I have my hands full these days as is.

Its harvest time around here and the growers need tarps for they're hay, ect... before it starts to rot and the "End O' Summer" canvas repair work is in full swing. 

Life is good!

Jim

I do my own. 

The Navy taught me how to do it many years ago in Lakehurst, New Jersey at Parachute Rigger School.

Some of my neighbors know that I can fix sewing machines and occasionally they'll bring there's over for me to look at.

I can't tell you how times I've found that they somehow managed to get the needle jammed into the sewing hook.  I pull the needle out and it's good as new until they bring it to me the next time.

Jim

How much does a pirate pay to have his ear pierced?

A buck an ear.


What's a pirates favourite fast food restaurant?

Arrrrrrrrby's!

I've always wanted to tell a customer, but never have:

"If you want my skill, you'll pay my bill."

One of these days...  ;D

Jim