reality check

[Solartje]

I have had my table recovered, and i'm not happy about about the cloth speed.(cfr other post) but the rest of the work is welldone.

Now i will be putting up simonis 760, and i want to get my pockets smaller.
I doubt my mechanic makes railextensions like glenn does, and he'll probably just use bigger facings.

If i'm correct, i need new cussions if i want to do a railextensions?. A friend told me that the rails can be stretched 1/2inch enough to make the pockets smaller, without changing the rails rebound charasteristics. Is this BS or is this an option for me? i make the subrailextensions like glenn does, take off the rail, stretch it 1/2 inch and reglue it will this work or do i need to buy new cussions. (the old cussions are still good)?

I am very handy, and always wanted to learn to recover my own table. Ive read almost any post glenn made, and i feel i can do at least as well as my mechanic. I might have to spend some money on the starrett and stuff, but after one recovering job, i will have it payed back.

i made a list of items i need to purchase. Could you tell me if i miss something:

1/ two things that grab the cloth so i can stretch it well (55€/ piece)
2/ featherstrips (5€)
3/ stapplegun
4/ artemis K66 (155€)
5/ two starrett 98 (150€)
6/ simonis 960 (240€)
7/ beewax (5€)

total = 665€.


Do i need a reallity check and just pay the mechanic to do the job, or should i learn to do it myself. Im only 31y old, and i'll probably recloth my table 20 times in my lifetime. Might as well, invest in learning to do it myself.

 

[scruffy1]

I am really not against people doing some of their own work but when i want something done right i will find the best and employ their services.

I just told a guy working at my house, i will go and do what i do best and you do the same and it works out great! I personally lose money when i
get into something i have little or no knowledge of.

If you do decide to svc. your own i will always be glad to answer any questions.:smile:

 

[tsp&b]

I say if you are willing to seek out and follow expert advise and don't mind paying the price for making a few mistakes along the way, GO FOR IT! I have been told "success in anything requires; Inspiration to action, Activity Knowledge and Know How." Inspiration to action or desire comes from within, Activity Knowledge comes from others via books, videos, personal observation and conversation... etc. But Know How can only be aquired through personal experience, by actually doing (trial and error, trial and success!). Good luck!!

 

[n10spool]

Your table should still be level so you can buy levels later save a little $..
buy an awl or center punch it makes it easier to remove staples, flat head screwdrivers do well also. 1\4" or 5\16 with 1\2" crown wide staples depending on the wood backing hard or soft, staples larger just make it a pain on the next recover.

glens post on rail extensions just about cover everything envolved. I did my first ons with a double compound chopsaw because I was changing the pocket angles. If your not changing the angles then dont worry about a saw.
Just use 3\16 ply or a little thicker to get the size you want and good file maybe small wood saw, then your good to go.

alot of good people on here to help you out if you need it ...

Craig

 

[Dartman]

Advise against stretching and reusing the cushions - get a fresh set.
Follow RKC's method for covering the slate and you won't need mechanical cloth stretchers.
Use 3M-10 for the cushions and bed cloth.

 

[Solartje]

thanks for the offered suport. I've talked to the wife, and here is what we descided. Im just going to redo the cloth now, and do a Full change (new cussions, subrail extensions, recloth rail, etc) when we will be in our new house (in 2 years). I'll have to dismantle the table anyway, might as well do it then, and just do the basics now.

I'll continu on reading the posts here, and soak up the knowledge, and hope to be ready by then. I do think i can do it. If i mess up... i'll only have myself to blame, and its alot easyer to blame myself, then to blame a mechanic that costed me alot of $$$ .

I really need the starretts though. My table was perfectly leveled when i installed the table, but the wood flooring has changed since then, and it hasnt been releveled since the first day the table was in my room. One of the slates isnt perfectly aligned vertically anymore, and i need to get it back flat.
I was thinking of buying two 8" starretts. I guess thats all i need. i'll have to checkout ebay and try to find a good deal.

the staple remover !!! ofc ! how could i forget that I used a screwdriver last time, and it worked well, but its defently worth the fiew bucks

 

[Solartje]

i miss something, that would really help me out when i'll do my first job.

a Mechanic package. I can find most items i need in different stores, and over the inet, but what would be GREATH is, that someone from the states would make a package with all i need, so i only need to pay for shipping once

1 x beeswax
1 x bondo
1 x glue for slate
1 x staple remover
1 x 8" starrett (used)
1 x cloth glue
1 x 3/16 plywood for the subrails
2 x sets of featherstrips
2 x sets of neoprene facings

If someone has easy acces to these things and dont mind gathering them, or buy one extra whenever they buy some for themselves ( even if it takes a month or so, im not in a hurry ) and would like to sell me as a Starter Package and ship oversea THAT would be awsome... I can dream can't I?

RKC? anyone ? :thumbup:


edit: add + 1 DVD of the sensei

 

[Dartman]

The glue (3M10) can be used for both the cushions and putting cloth on the slate.
You will need to find it locally as it is a hazmat item and can't be shipped internationally
unless the shipper has authorization to ship hazmat materials.

 

[Solartje]

The glue (3M10) can be used for both the cushions and putting cloth on the slate.
You will need to find it locally as it is a hazmat item and can't be shipped internationally
unless the shipper has authorization to ship hazmat materials.

thats the problem with this being a american forum
hard to find all the items that are posted in our contry's...

magic eraser : never found
saddle soap : never found
3m 10 ??
etc etc..

so many good information, but very hard to find the same in europe, unless you are a chemist expert

 

[Dartman]

Try this number and see if you can get a lead on the 3M10 Scotchweld
+32 2 722 5306