[sammons]

I am needing recomendations on needle, thread and stitch rates for sewing up med/light auto upholstery.  I have dad's old Rex ind/com machine, with no formal training. I have been blindly using what ever I have found. Over the past decade I have sewn up door panels, tarps, some seat covers and tops for my old Willys jeeps, but do not no the correct sizes.

I have found some leather like auto vinyl I like and all I see is 1.8 lbs per lnr.ft. I think I need needle 16/100 or 18/110. ( I keep seeing # 135/17? On E-bay). Thread V-69 or T-70. Are these sizes in the ballpark?

Also what would be the approx stitch rate for the above? My machine goes from 26 to 188. Thanks for any info.

[chopper526]

Sammons, your question is the reason I didn't try doing my own seat covers. But, I'll be watching this thread, and depending on the info, although I don't have a commercial machine, I may try my door panels. I don't want to wait 3 or 4 more months for the upholsterer again.
Anyway, good luck!

[EDNY]

I have a Juki LU563 but only made one motorcycle seat so far. Done a bunch of rifle slings and holsters.  My buddy does upholstery and help set me up. The thread I picked has UV protection and my machine stitch is set to -11.

Trying to locate a video of a guy in Mexico demonstrating how to sew the French Seam...really a strong stitch when you use the reinforcement material on the back side.

The picture shows my thread and needle size....try to locate the manual online...will help routing the thread and possibly needle size. I have the Juki on pdf if that might help.

Ed

[vette59jdwl]

  Ed  I picked up a how to upholster  a boat  I wanted to re upholster my 19.5 ft Thundercraft Flamingo.I could not have done it without this book  google it see if it is still available  much much information in this book  wayner

[sammons]

Been trying to look up charts on thread/needle sizes and material/ needle. It would be nice to find one chart with material thickness and recommened needle/thread/stitch setting. I found no reference to stitch settings.

Looks like for light to medium vinyl I need a # 14 needle #46/T45 bonded thread or a max of #16 needle #69 thread. It says that a sharp point or a wedge leather point for vinyl. I guess the stitch setting will be a guess. All i have found was that too close and the vinyl will tear, longer apart more for canvas. But you can't always beleive everythingyou read on the web.

Ed, does your machine have a lockstitch option? Looks like you have the knee lift.

[EDNY]

  Ed  I picked up a how to upholster  a boat  I wanted to re upholster my 19.5 ft Thundercraft Flamingo.I could not have done it without this book  google it see if it is still available  much much information in this book  wayner

Thanks...There are a couple of forums that helped..even the HAMB has a section for upholstery. Feel that I have the knowledge to do it...JUST DON"T HAVE THE HANDS ON EXPERIENCE!  Keeping a straight line and consistent speed comes with practice.  I like using crayons to draw lines on the material so I have something to follow....the just wipe the lines off when done.

The Juki I picked up was NOS from a VA hospital on Long Island...it was a display model. It is a walking foot machine with extra large bobbins and reverse...real nice machine.

sammons

You said your machine stitch is 26 to 188? Something doesn't sound right...take a ruler and count the number of stitches on your seats within an inch for the heck of it...probably closer to 7-11. I bet you can find the manual online...

Ed

[EDNY]

Ed, does your machine have a lockstitch option? Looks like you have the knee lift.

Not sure if it has lock stitch...I'll have to look in the manual...but with the reverse right there I just pull down, it stops and sews in reverse.

The knee lift is to lift the walking foot off the material.

One important thing I learned..is that before you try to remove the material under the walking foot..BE SURE TO TURN THE WHEEL BACKWARDS ABOUT A QUARTER TURN....that unhooks the bobbin thread below. If you don't and pull the material out..you'll have a tangled mess of thread coming out.

[sammons]

Stitches per ft? That's what's marked by the lever pointer thingy? I'll try on line, thanks Ed.



Maybe top dial is 0 to 5-6 ? I think when you adjust top the lever indicator (bottom) moves?

[EDNY]

Just noticed that 26-188 is the model number of your machine...

[sammons]

Haha, that's funny. Well at least I now know the model #.  learn something everyday!


Talk about chance luck. I grabbed one of dad's old C2 Corvette shop manuals to look up something for my brother and there folded up was the instruction booklet for the Rex machine. It's not in the best condition but it's readable !

I just discovered after all these years, that lever next to the # 26-188 is reverse. That makes starting the lock stitch so much easier. 

[ghost28]

I need to get me of those because of being retired and having the time now. I should be able to learn how to sew my fingers together.

[EDNY]

I need to get me of those because of being retired and having the time now. I should be able to learn how to sew my fingers together.

That's the same thing I thought of...and why I keep a cell phone in my pocket