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Bimini tops
I, well, my wife actually, wants a bimini top for my Lund 16. Comes in at
around $500 for frame and canvas. I'm a metalworker, and have a welder and an industrial Singer walking foot sewing machine. A friend of mine used to do boat work, and I've seen him make lots of tops. Not a lot to them, actually. Hardware seems to be the costliest thing, all being stainless steel. The tubing was probably special, too. Went looking for boat part the other day, and noticed some hardware, and IIRC, it was for 7/8" OD tube. In all of your vast experiences, what would be your opinion of making one of these out of conduit, or a light wall round tube? Possibly custom making some of the hardware pieces out of steel that I can have powder coated. The canvas could be Sunbrella, or even the cheap shadecloth material at Home Depot is decent shade. I have a couple of big shadecloths of that material, just had to resew the edges after about four years of 24/7 outdoors exposure. Anyone ever do this type of DIY project? TIA Steve |
Bimini tops
On Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:24:39 -0600, "SteveB"
wrote: I, well, my wife actually, wants a bimini top for my Lund 16. Comes in at around $500 for frame and canvas. I'm a metalworker, and have a welder and an industrial Singer walking foot sewing machine. A friend of mine used to do boat work, and I've seen him make lots of tops. Not a lot to them, actually. Hardware seems to be the costliest thing, all being stainless steel. The tubing was probably special, too. Went looking for boat part the other day, and noticed some hardware, and IIRC, it was for 7/8" OD tube. In all of your vast experiences, what would be your opinion of making one of these out of conduit, or a light wall round tube? Possibly custom making some of the hardware pieces out of steel that I can have powder coated. The canvas could be Sunbrella, or even the cheap shadecloth material at Home Depot is decent shade. I have a couple of big shadecloths of that material, just had to resew the edges after about four years of 24/7 outdoors exposure. Anyone ever do this type of DIY project? TIA Steve Uncle Joe. It'll look as good as the material you use. If you're going to go through the time and expense of making the thing, you should use decent materials. You don't want to look at it when you're done and say "****, wish I'd have..." You can likely find a steel tubing outlet that can sell and bend the pieces to spec. I did that with stainless rod a while back but it was easy since there's a steel plant right in town. I'd spend the $500 and find another project to save $. |
Bimini tops
"SteveB" wrote in message ... I, well, my wife actually, wants a bimini top for my Lund 16. Comes in at around $500 for frame and canvas. I'm a metalworker, and have a welder and an industrial Singer walking foot sewing machine. A friend of mine used to do boat work, and I've seen him make lots of tops. Not a lot to them, actually. Hardware seems to be the costliest thing, all being stainless steel. The tubing was probably special, too. Went looking for boat part the other day, and noticed some hardware, and IIRC, it was for 7/8" OD tube. In all of your vast experiences, what would be your opinion of making one of these out of conduit, or a light wall round tube? Possibly custom making some of the hardware pieces out of steel that I can have powder coated. The canvas could be Sunbrella, or even the cheap shadecloth material at Home Depot is decent shade. I have a couple of big shadecloths of that material, just had to resew the edges after about four years of 24/7 outdoors exposure. Anyone ever do this type of DIY project? TIA Steve My top[ has aluminum tubing frame. It does snap to the windshield, but I see lots of small boat bimini's with aluminum frame. Use Sunbrella. You will need a couple of hardware items. Maybe cheaper to buy on a couple parts. You need a hinge for the top. West Marine WM Model #: 397275 but you can also get a side mount hinge. Plus a hinge for the middle of the main upright to allow the back hoop to fold against the main hoop. WM 592651 is what they look like. Just weld a couple ears on the tube. 7/8" tube is probably fine for a 16; boat. Then a couple straps to go forward and sternward to hole the top in place. WM Model #: 393514 is the attachment for the boat. They also come in nylon. Cheaper. Just weld up a 4 of them. http://www.boatcoversdirect.com/products/bimini_tops/ is a picture of the top type. |
Bimini tops
On Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:24:39 -0600, "SteveB"
wrote: In all of your vast experiences, what would be your opinion of making one of these out of conduit, or a light wall round tube? I've seen some nice tops made with PVC tubing of all things - strictly a fit and glue type of construction so it does work. Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. I agree with Jon - it can be done certainly and probably would be a fun project, but spending your own time to do it right will probably cost you $500 anyway. However, if you build it, use Sunbrella - great stuff and you can find, much like gfretwell, ends in good fabric stores for almost no money. When I had the seat covers made for my Ranger, I found a roll end at a place called Joann's - I think it was three yards and I got it for $7. Cost me another $30 to have the material cut, fit and sowen up. Custom covers for $37. |
Bimini tops
On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock
wrote: Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. That is nuts. EMT, electrical metallic tubing, is steel. It is far from brittle, you can bend it any way you want. What is properly called conduit is plain old pipe, the kind that carries water and gas. Casady |
Bimini tops
On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:50:15 -0500, Richard Casady
wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. That is nuts. EMT, electrical metallic tubing, is steel. It is far from brittle, you can bend it any way you want. What is properly called conduit is plain old pipe, the kind that carries water and gas. Sorry dude - EMT is thin walled flat cold rolled low grade non-hardened steel. It's basically white metal. |
Bimini tops
"SteveB" wrote in message ... I, well, my wife actually, wants a bimini top for my Lund 16. Comes in at around $500 for frame and canvas. I'm a metalworker, and have a welder and an industrial Singer walking foot sewing machine. A friend of mine used to do boat work, and I've seen him make lots of tops. Not a lot to them, actually. Hardware seems to be the costliest thing, all being stainless steel. The tubing was probably special, too. Went looking for boat part the other day, and noticed some hardware, and IIRC, it was for 7/8" OD tube. In all of your vast experiences, what would be your opinion of making one of these out of conduit, or a light wall round tube? Possibly custom making some of the hardware pieces out of steel that I can have powder coated. The canvas could be Sunbrella, or even the cheap shadecloth material at Home Depot is decent shade. I have a couple of big shadecloths of that material, just had to resew the edges after about four years of 24/7 outdoors exposure. Anyone ever do this type of DIY project? TIA Steve Half that: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|5948|296194|606042|814411&id=605724 If your kids don't use it for monkey bars, you drop and wrap it when trailering and protect it from the sun when not in use, it'll last a few years. |
Bimini tops
SteveB wrote:
I, well, my wife actually, wants a bimini top for my Lund 16. Comes in at around $500 for frame and canvas. I'm a metalworker, and have a welder and an industrial Singer walking foot sewing machine. A friend of mine used to do boat work, and I've seen him make lots of tops. Not a lot to them, actually. Hardware seems to be the costliest thing, all being stainless steel. The tubing was probably special, too. Went looking for boat part the other day, and noticed some hardware, and IIRC, it was for 7/8" OD tube. In all of your vast experiences, what would be your opinion of making one of these out of conduit, or a light wall round tube? Possibly custom making some of the hardware pieces out of steel that I can have powder coated. The canvas could be Sunbrella, or even the cheap shadecloth material at Home Depot is decent shade. I have a couple of big shadecloths of that material, just had to resew the edges after about four years of 24/7 outdoors exposure. Anyone ever do this type of DIY project? TIA Steve I've seen some professionally made tee-tops where the metal structure was powder coated aluminum. After a couple of seasons, the powder coating began to chip and abrade, and in some cases, reveal the metal underneath. If it is steel, you'll get rust when the powdercoat wears off. Also, don't forget to isolate your steel hardware and fasteners from your aluminum hull boat (I'm assuming your Lund is aluminum). |
Bimini tops
On Jun 11, 12:24*am, "SteveB" wrote:
I, well, my wife actually, wants a bimini top for my Lund 16. *Comes in at around $500 for frame and canvas. I'm a metalworker, and have a welder and an industrial Singer walking foot sewing machine. *A friend of mine used to do boat work, and I've seen him make lots of tops. *Not a lot to them, actually. Hardware seems to be the costliest thing, all being stainless steel. *The tubing was probably special, too. Went looking for boat part the other day, and noticed some hardware, and IIRC, it was for 7/8" OD tube. In all of your vast experiences, what would be your opinion of making one of these out of conduit, or a light wall round tube? *Possibly custom making some of the hardware pieces out of steel that I can have powder coated. *The canvas could be Sunbrella, or even the cheap shadecloth material at Home Depot is decent shade. *I have a couple of big shadecloths of that material, just had to resew the edges after about four years of 24/7 outdoors exposure. Anyone ever do this type of DIY project? TIA Steve Go ask this question he http://groups.google.com/group/rec.b...topics?lnk=rgh You will probably get some great info and possibly a walk through from start to finish with pictures;) These guys are pretty good at DIY being home builders... |
Bimini tops
wrote in message ... On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: However, if you build it, use Sunbrella - great stuff and you can find, much like gfretwell, ends in good fabric stores for almost no money. When I had the seat covers made for my Ranger, I found a roll end at a place called Joann's Same place Sign up for their emails. Wife gets lots of 25-40% off coupons. |
Bimini tops
wrote in message ... On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:08:22 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:50:15 -0500, Richard Casady wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. That is nuts. EMT, electrical metallic tubing, is steel. It is far from brittle, you can bend it any way you want. What is properly called conduit is plain old pipe, the kind that carries water and gas. Sorry dude - EMT is thin walled flat cold rolled low grade non-hardened steel. It's basically white metal. It is still far from brittle. I use a lot of EMT for various things but it sucks around salt water. the real issue here. The nearest salt water to me is 350 miles away at the Great Salt Lake, or Los Angeles. Rust and corrosion are NO issue here. Maybe where you're at, but not here. Steve |
Bimini tops
Yawn... http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth/bimtop1.html JR On Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:24:39 -0600, "SteveB" wrote: I, well, my wife actually, wants a bimini top for my Lund 16. Comes in at around $500 for frame and canvas. I'm a metalworker, and have a welder and an industrial Singer walking foot sewing machine. A friend of mine used to do boat work, and I've seen him make lots of tops. Not a lot to them, actually. Hardware seems to be the costliest thing, all being stainless steel. The tubing was probably special, too. Went looking for boat part the other day, and noticed some hardware, and IIRC, it was for 7/8" OD tube. In all of your vast experiences, what would be your opinion of making one of these out of conduit, or a light wall round tube? Possibly custom making some of the hardware pieces out of steel that I can have powder coated. The canvas could be Sunbrella, or even the cheap shadecloth material at Home Depot is decent shade. I have a couple of big shadecloths of that material, just had to resew the edges after about four years of 24/7 outdoors exposure. Anyone ever do this type of DIY project? TIA Steve HOME PAGE: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth -------------------------------------------------- |
Bimini tops
On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:08:22 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock
wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:50:15 -0500, Richard Casady wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. That is nuts. EMT, electrical metallic tubing, is steel. It is far from brittle, you can bend it any way you want. What is properly called conduit is plain old pipe, the kind that carries water and gas. Sorry dude - EMT is thin walled flat cold rolled low grade non-hardened steel. It's basically white metal. White metals contain things like lead, tin, antimony, zinc. No iron, no carbon. It is mild steel, like about 95% of the steel in use. As in autos, buildings, bridges, ships. You want to be different and call steel white metal, you have a problem. It about as brittle as bubble gum. Casady |
Bimini tops
Richard Casady wrote:
On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:08:22 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:50:15 -0500, Richard Casady wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. That is nuts. EMT, electrical metallic tubing, is steel. It is far from brittle, you can bend it any way you want. What is properly called conduit is plain old pipe, the kind that carries water and gas. Sorry dude - EMT is thin walled flat cold rolled low grade non-hardened steel. It's basically white metal. White metals contain things like lead, tin, antimony, zinc. No iron, no carbon. It is mild steel, like about 95% of the steel in use. As in autos, buildings, bridges, ships. You want to be different and call steel white metal, you have a problem. It about as brittle as bubble gum. Casady Apparently you weren't told that SW Tom knows more about science and technology than any living human being, and when you argue with him, he goes into "wookie mode." If you want a giggle, ask him to tell you about the gph estimates he has for his Ranger with the etec. They defy all known laws of thermodynamics. -- The modern GOP is little more than an army of moral absolutists led by a gang of moral nihilists. |
Bimini tops
HK wrote:
Richard Casady wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:08:22 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:50:15 -0500, Richard Casady wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. That is nuts. EMT, electrical metallic tubing, is steel. It is far from brittle, you can bend it any way you want. What is properly called conduit is plain old pipe, the kind that carries water and gas. Sorry dude - EMT is thin walled flat cold rolled low grade non-hardened steel. It's basically white metal. White metals contain things like lead, tin, antimony, zinc. No iron, no carbon. It is mild steel, like about 95% of the steel in use. As in autos, buildings, bridges, ships. You want to be different and call steel white metal, you have a problem. It about as brittle as bubble gum. Casady Apparently you weren't told that SW Tom knows more about science and technology than any living human being, and when you argue with him, he goes into "wookie mode." If you want a giggle, ask him to tell you about the gph estimates he has for his Ranger with the etec. They defy all known laws of thermodynamics. You made 1 tiny mistake. He definitely knows more about science, boating, boats,fishing,photography and probably a whole lot of other things than you do. He is a well rounded individual as compared to you, who is, well, sorta, flat, dry, and uninteresting. |
Bimini tops
wrote If you really think EMT will work for you a 1/2" bender head is about $20 with a handle and the EMT is a couple bucks a stick. I would still spray cold galvanizing or paint on the cut ends and maybe even paint the whole pipe after you bend it up to catch spots that crack in the galvanizing. In fresh water it might actually hold up fairly well. The cover itself is still the tricky part but not necessarily that tough if you can sew. My cover has zippers so it installs easily on the assembled frame but if you are willing to thread the pipe through sewn pockets and then assemble the brackets and hinged parts it won't need them. Just for cost and ease of construction, I've just about settled on the EMT idea. I really liked the visqueen patterning and then transferring to cloth. Just need to get to a supplier and get the straps and plastic latches. Will be starting on a greenhouse soon with woven poly, so will be doing lots of sewing. I've got an big Singer 111W155 walking foot machine that will do the job. Just so many projects to do and so little time. Grandsons here for two weeks (4 and 6) so we'll just use sunscreen instead of sunshade for this visit. Steve |
Bimini tops
"JR North" wrote in message ... Yawn... http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth/bimtop1.html JR Darn fine job. I had a friend who did a ton of work at Lake Mead, and your job is right up there with the quality of his stuff. So, bottom line, about how much do you figure it cost? You probably say somewhere in there, but I'm just back from a trip, and am going through a lot of e mails and posts. Indulge me, please. $3500 top end bid, eh? Wow. Steve |
Bimini tops
"Richard Casady" wrote in message ... On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:08:22 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:50:15 -0500, Richard Casady wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. That is nuts. EMT, electrical metallic tubing, is steel. It is far from brittle, you can bend it any way you want. What is properly called conduit is plain old pipe, the kind that carries water and gas. Sorry dude - EMT is thin walled flat cold rolled low grade non-hardened steel. It's basically white metal. White metals contain things like lead, tin, antimony, zinc. No iron, no carbon. It is mild steel, like about 95% of the steel in use. As in autos, buildings, bridges, ships. You want to be different and call steel white metal, you have a problem. It about as brittle as bubble gum. Casady I'm a welder. Have been since 1974. I know a little. You sure are adamant about terms. Read my lips: Conduit will work fine for the purpose of a bimini top provided it is not used in a salt water environment. You can call it white metal, brown metal, pink metal, blue metal, orange metal, grey metal, metal, puce metal, magenta metal, and it doesn't change the fact that it will perform satisfactorily, although it will be a little heavier than aluminum, and a little harder to get or make hardware for. Hope this helps you get over your terminology neurosis. Steve |
Bimini tops
On Jun 15, 9:50*am, HK wrote:
Richard Casady wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:08:22 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:50:15 -0500, Richard Casady wrote: On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:12:44 -0400, Wizard of Woodstock wrote: Conduit? Not so much. It's pretty brittle metal - akin to white metal actually. That is nuts. EMT, electrical metallic tubing, is steel. It is far from brittle, you can bend it any way you want. What is properly called conduit is plain old pipe, the kind that carries water and gas.. Sorry dude - EMT is thin walled flat cold rolled low grade non-hardened steel. It's basically white metal. White metals contain things like lead, tin, antimony, zinc. No iron, no carbon. It is mild steel, like about 95% of the steel in use. As in autos, buildings, bridges, ships. You want to be different and call steel white metal, you have a problem. It about as brittle as bubble gum. Casady Apparently you weren't told that SW Tom knows more about science and technology than any living human being, and when you argue with him, he goes into "wookie mode." If you want a giggle, ask him to tell you about the gph estimates he has for his Ranger with the etec. They defy all known laws of thermodynamics. -- Exactly which "laws of thermodynamics" does Tom's GPH claims defy? |
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