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Actually I thought about using Plywood but...Unless you used the Really Good expensive stuff with Multiple Plies it would not be as good as the MDF. MDF is very stable and Unless it gets wet Is perfect for this application.  I did seal it with Sanding Sealer but I didn't want it to Slick so the belt would have some BITE.  My machine is a Vintage REX  11-155R  I had problems getting her to sew properly at first.  Finally discovered the hook had a miniscule burr on it .  Once I got that sanded out and polished she's sewing like a brand new machine.  I've since made another wheel for a friend and painted it Gloss Black.  He didn't Like it due to the fact that it didn't slide on his hand as well.  Told him to wax it.  Not sure if he ever did.  I meant a NERF Ball not a Smurf Ball!!!! :)

I was too much of a cheapo to buy a Servo Motor soooo, I made this 8" hand Wheel for the head unit which changed the ratio.  I also put a 1 1/2" pulley on the motor.  It's about three times slower and much more manageable.  I put a smurf ball under the pedal and I can now make it sew one stitch at a time when going around corners.  It's made quite a difference.  I made the wheel from 2 pieces of 3/4" MDF glued together and then Bandsawed the circle and put it on the lathe to cut the groove for the belt.    I drilled a 7/32 hole down thru the middle of the belt groove thru to the 1/2" center hole for the head shaft and then threaded a 1/4" allen head set screw into the hole to hold it onto the flat side of the shaft.  I used 5 minute epoxy to glue the two pieces together.  Oh I had to buy a larger belt to and adjust the motor accordingly.  All in all it cost about $15.00 For the parts, glue and belt and took about 2 hours to build and assemble.

 It really works GREAT!!!   

Well from what the Owner says the Original covers were just white and grey.  He had the New guy change the color scheme.  I've done cured seats before so I am familiar with the staple and crevice concept to pull the vinyl taught.  Just want to see if this was what you thought would be the case for these.  this guy lives 100 miles from me so It's not that easy to do an onsite inspection of how they are constructed.  I WILL be starting from scratch and NOT trying to salvage the previous work unless by some freak of fate I can actually make his covers work.  IF, BIG IF, I actually take on this project, I'll keep you posted.

As always, Thanks for your expert advice!!!!  Much Appreciated!!!!

Mike

Yeah, I thought about that too but...If i tried to collect on such shoddy work and I destroyed a customers property I guess I could expect no less. ::)

Potential Customer sent me these "Disaster Pics" from a FAILED upholstery job.  Needless to say he was NOT happy with the results. the guy threw away the Old covers and presented him with this.  He's in a lawsuit now.  Went to another shop and they told him they couldn't do it and told him to go to the factory for replacements.  It's a 2009 boat.  Wanted me to quote it.  Trouble is...I've NEVER done big inside curves like this and really not sure how to go about it.  Seeking advice from the PRO's on how to go about it.  4 way stretch vinyl??  Glue??  Walk Away.  HELP!!!

I made the 8" circle with a rudimentary circle cutting jig on the bandsaw...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uem-9Wz1Dt8    then cut the groove in it on the router table, but you can do it all at the same time on a table saw with a simple jig...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDRyH_ZG314 
Or on the router table...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmGXE8dmn2g 

The rest is done on the Table Saw and Drill press.  It is Really pretty basic stuff.  Like I said,  I drew up some plans if anyone's interested.  Hey,  If I can build it I'm pretty sure anyone with basic skills, can build one too.

I have an old REX 11-155r WF machine and after doing everything slow it down( 1 1/2 " pulley, extending motor arm etc)  I decided to try and build my own version of a Speed Reducer.  I did and it works. Great.  Made exclusively from plywood and Pine.  I've made a few others and they were made Totally from MDF and work just as well.  I also used a 10" x 1/2" bolt for the shaft and it worked just fine too.  That cut the costs to under $10 bucks.  I used 2- 1/2" bore bearings, a 12" piece of 1/2" shafting(cut down to 9") 2- 1/4" bolts.  Total costs...$15 bucks.  the Ones Online costs $225.00  It works GREAT!!!  Slows the machine to 1/2 speed and makes it sooooo much easier to use.  A bigger diameter pulley would slow it down even more.  Mine is 8" with at 2 1/2" on the side going to machine.  So if any of you want to calculate the reduction it's 1 1/2" to 10" then 2 1/2" to the Machine.  Not sure what it is  Maybe 4 ".    Here's a pic of what I made.



I made up some rudimentary plans and instructions if anyone's interested.  Send me and email and I send them along. Super easy to build  Takes about 4 hours shop time.  Band Saw,  Table Saw, Router and Drill Press

Really Nice Job on the Deck boat.  Are the pleats Pre-Pleated Fabric or did you do em??

I made my own speed reducer for my clutch powered machine.  Cost me $20 bucks for two bearings and a 1/2" x 8" bolt.  Took me one weekend to make it out of plywood and install it. Works great and I can now sew one stitch at a time just like those guys with the Servo Machines.  I'll try and post some pics of it later.

Hmm, I'm starting out Part-Time focusing mainly on Marine Upholstery, and just posted a small FREE Craigslist add with a few pics of previous jobs I had done and BAM, my Phone and Texts have been so plentiful I've started to turn people away.  I can't and won't book more than 6 weeks in advance cuz with my other job I just don't want to not deliver.  My AD clearly states that this is NOT my full time job and I WILL be slower than some of the PRO shops but my quality of work is as good or better than some.  If I WAS full time I do not think lack of work would be an issue.  I'm in a 700,000 metropolitan area with a dozen lakes in close proximity.  4 other Upholstery businesses with ads on Craigslist.  My prices are a bit more competitive than theirs since I don't have any overhead, employees and NOT totally dependent. But...If I was I realistically believe I could have brought in $12,000 the last quarter based on what I turned away due to not having the time.  I have a friend in a city 4 hours away that I gave 2 jobs to that were basic jobs  and we met 1/2 way so I could give him the seats and panels and he could make some extra cash.  My ad promises Fairness, good prices and quality work.  When they call I ask a LOT of questions and if I don't get the answers I'm looking for I turn them down.  I guess since I'm not making a living at it that makes it easier to do. LOL!!!  But...sometimes you just know when a person is gunna be more problem than their worth.  I'm just learning this upholstery business, but I've owned and operated several other businesses in the past and have found one common thread in owning your own business.  DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU WILL DO!!!!  If you do...you will be successful!  Be up front about that and you'll be ok.  Be prepared to accept it if you screwed up and be prepared to enforce it if the customer wants to weasel out of it.  OH and one other thing.  If it ain't in writing...it NEVER happened!!!

When I was a remodel contractor I used old venetian blind slats to suspend the formica above the glued plywood.

About $5 bucks and...and hour of time to rip it out and do it again!!!!

Yes, I'll  have ALL the old covers and I know they'll be a big help.  Just worrying about those curves and how to get it all to fit.  I guess when I actually get them and take em off, I'll learn a lot about how they go back on.  I'll keep you posted.  I have a heat gun and have used it before.  I KNOW to keep it moving and not stay in one place to long!!!

I'm NOT a PRO.  Just an Old Guy trying to Learn the business.  I have done some basic Flat Berth type seats and some bucket seats in my sons VW Bus but these seats are a NEW Challenge for me and I'm looking to you guys to see if you can give me some Tips of the trade!!!  The Curves and Rounded inside corners are kinda scary and I'm not real sure how I'm gunna get everything to fit right and wrinkle free.  These pics are NOT of the actual boat just samples of the Baja Boat type seats I'll be doing.  I call em Barrel Back Bucket Seats.



Sooo if any of you have done this type of seat and can give me some tips and things to look out for I'd REALLY appreciate it.  I'm SCARED STIFF at the moment and Hoping beyond Hope I have NOT bitten off more than I can chew!!!!  They have top stitched French Seams and as you can see inserts etc...  I can handle all that but I'm thinking there's going to be the need for heat guns and stretching and tucking and possibly some hidden stapling straps etc.  I guess when I tear the old covers off it may "Show" me how to put the new ones back on.  I'm hopin that will be the case.  Chime in if you have some advice.

I'm NOT a PRO.  Just an Old Guy trying to Learn the business.  I have done some basic Flat Berth type seats and some bucket seats in my sons VW Bus but these seats are a NEW Challenge for me and I'm looking to you guys to see if you can give me some Tips of the trade!!!  The Curves and Rounded inside corners are kinda scary and I'm not real sure how I'm gunna get everything to fit right and wrinkle free.  These pics are NOT of the actual boat just samples of the Baja Boat type seats I'll be doing.  I call em Barrel Back Bucket Seats. Sooo if any of you have done this type of seat and can give me some tips and things to look out for I'd REALLY appreciate it.  I'm SCARED STIFF at the moment and Hoping beyond Hope I have NOT bitten off more than I can chew!!!!  They have top stitched French Seams and as you can see inserts etc...  I can handle all that but I'm thinking there's going to be the need for heat guns and stretching and tucking and possibly some hidden stapling straps etc.  I guess when I tear the old covers off it may "Show" me how to put the new ones back on.  I'm hopin that will be the case.  Chime in if you have some advice.