Hi all been awhile and im still at it.I went back to just making covers
Dock box. BQ.a/c and everything i can find.Well im runing out of stuff
So im going back to my boat cousin.i want to use my old foam.
Im going to buy A steamer but what kind ?
Thanks Mike From Livonia MI. ok NW of DEEEETROIT
hiya
I just use a cheap wallpaper stripper.
rich
I have a Jiffy J-2 (1300 watts) I paid over $200 for it.
Wal-Mart has a $50 Conair model (1100 watts) It's all plastic, but is similiar in size and wattage to the professional Jiffy model. I've tried it out. It seems to put out a similair amount of steam to the Jiffy.
Guess it all depends on how much you're going to use it, as to how much you want to spend.
The advantage to the Jiffy is that the heating element and other parts are replaceable. The Conair is a throw-away.
I used a cheapo Walmart special. Till the handle broke. Then it would steam your hand more than what you were trying to steam. Good design. Lasted a year I think.
I use a Jiffy 2 also but last week when I turned it on the light lit and then went out. No steam for me. I guess it's time for a new one. 20 yrs isn't bad I guess.
Check with your suppliers Paul... some of them stock the parts for Jiffy steamers -- or you can order them online... repair it!!
Cheryl,
Can't figure out what is wrong with it. I looked at the parts on jiffy's site.
Did you check to see if you have water in it? I'm not trying to be a wise guy, I'm just asking because I almost threw away a steamer that wouldn't make steam, and guess why not???
gene
Thinks all, i think im going to buy a cheap wallpaper stripper
for the frist time around
Thanks Mike
I was under the impression that steaming the old foam will bring the cushion back to shape enough for you to pattern but that it wouldn't hold that shape and revert back to the un-steamed shape after a little while.
Is this true? I am going to be reusing my old foam for my boat project and was wondering if I should steam it? The old foam is in great shape and when the previous owner told me that the boat was never left in the sun or on the water, he must've been telling the truth.
Quote from: mpm32 on November 19, 2010, 06:37:09 am
I was under the impression that steaming the old foam will bring the cushion back to shape enough for you to pattern but that it wouldn't hold that shape and revert back to the un-steamed shape after a little while.
Is this true?
Steaming will restore the smushed edges on foam. And it's great for rejuvenating foam that has been compressed for shipping. But it really won't make old foam like new. I mainly use my steamer for getting wrinkles out of fabrics, and relaxing seams.
Some say that a steamer can shrink fabrics that are too loose. Others say that it can stretch fabrics that are too tight. I don't see how it can do both.
One more thing I learned: Don't get the steam head too close to chenilles! It will leave an impression that will never come out.
I bought a J 3 20 years ago when I was first starting out. Didn't have much money then but turned into a great investment. It really gives a job that little extra tweak. Especially helps the skirts and cushions look real good.
You need to test your fabric before you use it as some fabrics will stretch (sunbrella is bad for this) and some will run.
MinUph Before you throw that old steamer out check the fuseable link. I've replaced mine several times. On my steamer its a brown wire with a black piece of plastic in the middle. Try bypassing it. Another time the heater element went bad. This is not a hard fix.
ROFL @ gene!!!!!!!!!!!!! (takes a real man to fess up to that. LOL!!!)
Paul .. if its broke now.. can't hurt to take it all apart and see what you can find that is burnt up, broken or just plain worn out. That's what I would try.
I did take it apart and there is power to the switch, light, and heating element. I did have water in it also :-)
It does act like there is no water. When I did use it and it ran out of water it would shut off. Does the same thing now. I turn it on the light comes on for a few seconds and then shuts down just like there is no water. The safety shut off might well be the problem. I will look and see if it is a replaceable part.
Paul:
Sometimes the heating elements get so covered with minerals from the water that they stop producing enough heat to steam the water. If they are covered in the stuff, try soaking them in one of those "scale away" type products. Someone else on here may know what product works best.
gene
All Jiffy parts are fairly inexpensive and the steamers are well worth repairing. You can contact Jiffy online and they'll even send you a parts list and schematics. I have two of them and both have been repaired a few times. The older of the two(40yrs old) leaks like a sieve out of the tank but still works like a charm and the newer one (20yrs old) is down right now waiting for a new element.
I wrote to Jiffy and received this reply. I'm posting it as a FYI. I'm cleaning mine as I type and will post the outcome.
--snip--
Thank you for contacting us. Your steamer may be clogged with mineral deposits from you water. This will make the steamer cut on and off. Try cleaning the steamer thoroughly and see if it still does shut off. Then if you know it is clean, you may need to replace the thermostat. The cleaning instructions are below. Thank you.
White Vinegar/Water Solution Cleaning Instructions
The cleaning procedure below is recommended as a regular maintenance measure to help your steamer maintain its maximum steaming performance. This maintenance should be performed on a basis of every 3-6 months depending on your water supply. In most cases, a steamer that is severely clogged will require disassembly to properly clean and prolong the life span of the unit. An authorized repair center or a Jiffy Steamer service technician best performs this disassembly.
1. Unplug your steamer from the wall outlet. Remove hose attachment at the brass coupling using a wrench and remove water bottle from unit. Pour out any remaining water from your unit.
2. If the hose attachment is blocked by sediment build-up. Use a water hose to clean inside the hose. This should loosen and remove any build-up that may have occurred within the hose itself.
3. If the Jiffy Liquid Cleaner is not available for shipment in your area, a solution of ½ white vinegar (5 ounces) and ½ water (5 ounces) may be used as a substitute solution.
4. Pour the cleaning solution into the water cup of your steamer. This is the location on the steamer base where you normally place the water bottle. Allow the cleaning solution to remain in the unit for ONLY 2 HOURS...NO LONGER. DO NOT STEAM THE SOLUTION IN THE UNIT AS DAMAGE MAY OCCUR.
5. Pour the cleaning solution out of the steamer. Do this by tilting the steamer back and forth and pouring the solution out of the water cup area.
6. Rinse the unit thoroughly by flushing with fresh water 2-3 times.
7. If discolored water or residue continues to come from the unit, the above procedure may need to be repeated.
8. Please call 1-800-525-4339 for further instructions or questions.
--end snip--
It seems like using distilled water would reduce the need for cleaning. I've only had my Jiffy about a year, and so far, I've only used distilled water. A gallon is .79 at the grocery store. Since I have to pick up some for my C-Pap (snoring) machine anyway, I always get an extra couple gallons for my steamer.
UPDATE:
I cleaned the steamer and hey it works ;D
I've had the unit for probably 20+ years and have never cleaned it. In NY State the water is very good. Now that I'm in Florida I have a water softener and a reverse osmosis filter for the house.
I am running the cleaning solution through again for good measure.
Vinegar should do the trick
If you have a dehumidifier running somewhere, save the water from it for your steamer.
Any device ( steamer, clothes iron, etc. ) you should use distilled water. By using tap water or plain bottled water, the minerals ( especially calcium ) will separate when heated and attach itself to the metal.
I use distilled water in anything that has a heating mechanism ( except the coffee pot ). :)
I drink way to much coffee and would need a tanker truck of distilled water for coffee making. :)
Chris
The shop I'm in now has a J2 steamer and I really like it; but for years I just used a stem iron before I built my steamer. It's just an old electric kettle with a piece of water hose attached to it with a flattened out stub of boat tubing for a nozzle. I couldn't justify $200 for just a couple of projects. Buying new foam would be cheaper.
Quote from: Darren Henry on November 27, 2010, 08:52:01 am
I built my steamer. It's just an old electric kettle with a piece of water hose attached to it with a flattened out stub of boat tubing for a nozzle.
Are you sure that your REAL name isn't "Mcguyver"?
If I had it to do over again, I don't think I would drop $200 on a steamer. It doesn't help that much on fabrics (at least no more than a cheap hand-held steamer), and I suspect that it's rejuvenation effect on foam is short-lived.
I know that some upholsterers place the steamer in their "Top 5" list of most essential tools. But, I went over 25 years with just a little hand-held steamer.
Now that I have a J2, I seldom use it. For the most part, it gathers dust in the corner of my shop right next to the EZ cushion stuffer.
There are many uses for a steamer, Yes steaming foam is short lived but that short time makes a big difference in filling a cushion. Finishing touches on upholstery is a nice touch. Makes shorts hang nice. Shrinks some fabrics to make the lay more smoothly. Makes steaming out patterns easy. Just some examples. Many uses. If you guys don't want yours I'll take them off your hands ;D
There is not a day goes by that I do not use one of my steamers. Some think they are some sort of crutch but if you want that last bit of "finesse" they are invaluable. I probably use mine as much on vinyl seats as cloth seats. They are a very safe alternative to heat guns. I did let a good one get thru my fingers though. Had a guy come to me with a boiler type steamer, one of the big EXPENSIVE ones. He said it was no good anymore because it shocked him all the time. $75 later and a quick look inside showed a broken ground wire. I rewired it ans sold it to a shop for a $400 profit. But that's OK, the Jiffys serve me well. Oh and for you newer guys, don't use steam on leather. Trust me. Been there, ruined that.
I ruined a chenille job because I got too close with the steam head.
Quote from: MinUph on November 27, 2010, 12:53:34 pm
Shrinks some fabrics to make the lay more smoothly.
Which fabrics? I've experimented with all types of fabrics. I cut 36" strips, and steamed them. They were STILL 36".
My Masco fabrics catalog says that the Jiffy steamer "Stretches fabrics, shrinks fabrics, tightens seams"
Stretching, and shrinking are two polar opposites. How does it do both? I called Masco, and asked them. They said that they'd call the Jiffy co. and get back to me. They didn't.
If I sound argumentative, I don't mean to. I am asking so I can get better use out of mine.
I do like it as a safe alternative to a heat gun when it comes to vinyl. And of course, it's great for removing wrinkles.
QuoteFor the most part, it gathers dust in the corner of my shop right next to the EZ cushion stuffer.
I built one of those too with the same end result; dust collector.
QuoteAnd of course, it's great for removing wrinkles
I'll have to try that Friday night. I just hope it doesn't wilt my handlebar mustache. :D