making a canvas top - are there plans anywhere

[Texbillhs]

I think I have spend most of the last hour looking through the site - I am looking for plans for M38 top canvas. I figure if I can make boat canvas, I should be able to sew up canvas to military specs. 1 I would need to find an outlet for military spec canvas, strapping and hardware. 2 I would need plans or access to someone top to copy. 3 The cost of DYI would have to be less then buying from the 3 or 4 suppliers of tops. Has anyone out there done this and how well did it turn out?

[Kendall]

I have had the same idea. I made canvas seat covers for my M38 and have plans over the Christmas break to make a set for my M38A1. I considered doing the same thing with a top but afraid my (actually mother-in-laws) sewing machine could not handle the thick seams.
So, just the other day I top an old, rotten M38 top to a local upholstery shop to get a quote on making one up for me. I told them they could dismantle my top for a pattern. If they do I might be able to supple patterns of the different parts. I will keep you posted.
Kendall

[capescw]

Kendall,

If you have plans for the seats themselves, I'd certainly appreciate copies! I'm sure I'm not the only one who might be interested.

Bill

[Bretto]

There is a guy over on the 2A page that did his own. It might give you some ideas.
http://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/make- ... 10355.html

[wesk]

Be careful. The civvy top is not the same dimensions. The civvy top uses fixed vertical bows and a wood spreader.

Try to find a tired M38 top to use as a pattern. Also with the going price of the correct canvas, and depending on how much value you place on your time and how much spare time you have the prices from Wee Bee Webbing may be very reasonable.


Military bows


Civilian bows

[Texbillhs]

I knew there is a difference CJ to M38. Also I have to keep in mind the materials, as mentioned in that CJ2A site -General Willys post - he had to by 1000 ft of webbed tape - 1000 ft was the minimum order. I wonder if there is minimums on fabric bolts, buckles and other hardware? The problem is these new reproductions are getting up there - nearly a thousand for a full suit of canvas. One of the other things to keep in mind, reading between the lines, is shrinkage - it would be a shame to build a suit of canvas and have it shrink. Finding a real M38 top in whatever condition is true luck. There is a pair of doors presently on eBay, but looking closely, they are M38A1 doors. If anyone knows of a site as good as eBay to watch for these type of items let me know. I also use searchtempest.com, it searches craig's list and eBay, unlike eBay you can't have it email when something comes up.

[wesk]

Nearly a Thousand dollars is not a lot of money based on the current inflation rates. Unless you are fully retired and doing well on your retirement program with plenty of spare time and great sewing skills and a quality industrial heavy duty sewing machine it will cost you nearly that much to create the single copy you are after. If you are still earning a living then you must value your own labor time at at least $45/HR. Add materials and their higher cost in smaller quantities and you will end up investing nearly a Thousand Dollars in no time.

Kendall's approach for a working stiff would probably save him a little over the price posted by the Big Three canvas repop dealers.

[Texbillhs]

I would bet Kendell's upholstery shop is going to be nearly that of the commercial repro guys or at least 2/3s the price. I though of that too. I have a guy who did my work truck custom tonneau - although cheaper then buying one (if they made one that fit) it was still sticker shock. I have great difficulty with the times and the destroyed US dollar - I guess I will forever be living in the 1950s. I started this thread thinking maybe someone had a US ordn. blueprint - there must be one somewhere.