Taylorcraft/Martin wire

[birdlegs]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Good lord, its like a soap opera, tune out for three years and its still the same.

[N96337]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

HEY!! I resemble that remark. I HAVE an old Singer. That sucker will sew together a stack of wooden match sticks and is GREAT for doing aircraft fabric work. No way my mothers new Bernina could do it. It will sew leather seat covers too with no problem. I think the mechanism was used for WW-II Machine Guns.

Hank

My Singer was built in 1910, my Landis #1 was built in the late 1800's (they quit building the #1 in 1911), and my BUSMC (Pearson) #6 was built in the late 1800's....the Landis and Pearsons will sew 3/4" of hard leather all day long and never miss a stitch...the Singer will start missing at about 1/4", but will also sew silk... for all the rest, I have a newer Artisan. I quit sewing aircraft fabric when we got what is now Stewarts System going. The Artisan is a great machine for upholstery...in fact it's being used for just that today!

As far as the comment about the stitching being over your head or a practiced skill....there's only one way to develop that skill, and it's not by saying you can't do it!! Dive in and you'd be surprised how quickly it will develop. Grab half a dozen or more needles (make them....) and get to stitching...it goes quicker than you think it will.

John

[PA1195]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Yes the old machines were meant to last, and many have obviously survived their owners. Quality and dependability were expected features. A local mechanic uses his for exactly what you note...fabric covering and upholstery.

As far as wire clips vs stitching it may be due to having to work alone without the added helper that makes stitching go quicker, especially on large surfaces like wings. Same for rivets or screws...one person can do it. And some may not possess the practiced skills (me) to make stitching look nice. There is a technique involved that I've been a part of but I would never consider doing it alone. Watching a gifted fabric installer do their work can be both a learning and humbling experience.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

HEY!! I resemble that remark. I HAVE an old Singer. That sucker will sew together a stack of wooden match sticks and is GREAT for doing aircraft fabric work. No way my mothers new Bernina could do it. It will sew leather seat covers too with no problem. I think the mechanism was used for WW-II Machine Guns.

Hank

Probably because they'd rather restore a 1939 Singer 201 sewing machine than buy a modern Bernina or Viking. It's a restoration and lifestyle choice for enthusiasts that enjoy that activity versus simply operating a finished product.

Gary

[Peterroy]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Tim, I sent you a PM.

[Ray36048]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

I still cant figure out why everyone is not rib stitching! It is so much less of a hassle that trying to get someone to make a wire...Tim

Or use screws using the STC.

[PA1195]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

I still cant figure out why everyone is not rib stitching! It is so much less of a hassle that trying to get someone to make a wire...Tim

Probably because they'd rather restore a 1939 Singer 201 sewing machine than buy a modern Bernina or Viking. It's a restoration and lifestyle choice for enthusiasts that enjoy that activity versus simply operating a finished product.

Gary

[astjp2]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

I still cant figure out why everyone is not rib stitching! It is so much less of a hassle that trying to get someone to make a wire...Tim

[Leenicklas]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

I used the A/C Spruce martin wire and put the "z's" in. It worked reasonably well.

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Yes, ditto that.

Dave

[Robert Lees]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Thanks Mark for the work you are putting in to this.

[Mark Bowden]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Quick update. The vendor here in KC could not do it due to the limitations on their machine clearance. Started with them as they were in town. Will be on to the next 10-20 vendors or so that are in close in the midwest. Will know more next week.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Mark,

Here are the measurements we talked about.

.023" rib thickness
.158" wire hole i.d. (5/32"?)
.009"-.010" cloth reinforcing tape thickness (modern tape may be different, will check, I have some)
.026" rib flange trench depth
3.011" wire hole to wire hole distance

Dave

poly fiber reinforcing tape is much thicker than you have listed. Its probably closer to .025-.035 thick.

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Mark,

Here are the measurements we talked about.

.023" rib thickness
.158" wire hole i.d. (5/32"?)
.009"-.010" cloth reinforcing tape thickness (modern tape may be different, will check, I have some)
.026" rib flange trench depth
3.011" wire hole to wire hole distance

Dave

Re: Taylorcraft/Martin wire

Hi Mark,

I don't follow that description.

Will be happy to measure for you but I only understand the thickness part of the request.

I could post a picture of a rib in particular the portion around a hole and then we could go form there.

Maybe that will help.

I am at 919 365 3063 if you want to call.

Dave