seat sling

[eric miller]

Hi,

It's time for me to think about my seat sling. I see that Aircraft Spruce has one that you can order from them. Has anyone bought it from them? Do you like it? Is there a better place to get it from, or sould I take the old one in and have someone make an exact copy?

Bob, I got the chains and have installed them. They are GREAT!!!! Thanks for your help.

Eric
Project Warbird
Salvage / Museum

[Guest]

Re: seat sling

I got mine from Airtex products and like it. Its rubberized and seems to be unaffecyed by water. Dave

[AndyDuke]

Re: seat sling

I got my sling from Spruce; good heavy (hard wearing) canvas. No issues after 5 or so years. Don't however get the baggage sling as it is very shallow and doesn't give much much capacity.

[Peterroy]

Re: seat sling

After putting my knee through the fabric of my seat sling, I now have to replace it. I bought the one from Aircraft Spruce. I was going to put it in today, but prior to doing so, I opened up the new one and noticed that it does not have the "baggage-bin" attached to it as is the case for the one currently in the airplane. The one from Spruce is simply the seat. It does not have the "baggage-compartment" attached to it. The message above recommends not getting the Spruce "baggage-compartment" that is sold separately as it is too small. Does anyone know where to source a seat sling that comes with the "baggage-compartment" attached?

Thanks.

Peter

[Scott]

Re: seat sling

I bought the aircraft spruce version. The fabric is good quality but their pattern is apparently not very good. For example the positioning and spacing of the grommets is not consistent and there are more grommets on one side than the other. The positioning of the cutouts for the baggage compartment fuselage tubes is different left and right as well.

None of the above impacts the performance of the product, and once the cushions are in you'll never know the difference... but it bugs me none the less. I complained to AS about it, followed up with them several times over the course of a couple of months but no response.

[M Towsley]

Re: seat sling

Scott,

As already discussed, the Spruce sling does not have the baggage compartment, so it is a moot point for Peter.

However, when I replaced my seat sling several years ago I received a sling that the material was too thin. Spruce had already realized this and were in the process of obtaining thicker material. Once the new one was made I compared it to my old one and it was an excellent example. There is a gentleman, cannot remember his name, but he spoke to me readily about the problem of the thin material. He was the one who actually manufactured them at Spruce. I have no complaints about mine. I posted on the forum about the problem and it should be searchable.

I suggest you call Spruce, dial extension 512 and talk to Amy. Tell her I told you to call and see if she cannot help you.

[Peterroy]

Re: seat sling

Thanks guys. I'm going to install a new seat sling and "ponder" for a while with regard to what to do about the "baggage compartment".

[PA1195]

Re: seat sling

I've never seen the baggage-bin but if there's an example for a pattern then places like this can usually fabricate a duplicate or larger one: http://alaskatent.com

We're spoiled in Fairbanks as all I have to do is drive over, give them a drawing or example, and pay for the product when done. They have many fabrics available but I'm not sure if the Taylorcraft bin requires something beyond normal canvas...is the seat material fire resistant or have a special for-aircraft designation?

Fire resistant material: http://alaskatent.com/walltents/fireresistant.html

The owner Jim is a friend and flies a C-180.

Gary

[Dick Smith]

Re: seat sling

Possible source: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/4010640...256&rmvSB=true

[M Towsley]

Re: seat sling

Yeah Gary, your lucky alright. I saw where you were laying in the snow already. Keep that stuff up there for the time-being.

[M Towsley]

Re: seat sling

Dick,

I have dealt with that Ebay seller and his sister, his name is Don and his sister is Patty. He is in Guam and Patty is in Indiana. Very nice folks to deal with and very honest. They have great stuff and you can return anything, no questions asked, if you would have a problem. I didn't know he was selling the baggage compartments.

He has a lot of Cub stuff, and sells some new Cub stuff. I tried to get him to make some T-Craft hubcaps, as he sells new Cub hubcaps. Unfortunately, the cost would have been prohibitive as not enough people would have bought them.

[PA1195]

Re: seat sling

It's barely 2" of snow but at least the leaves and dog poo have disappeared. Here's a fun Blog on Alaska weather with emphasis on Interior/Middle Alaska: http://ak-wx.blogspot.com

Today our Sun angle is about 7.5 deg above the horizon max which yields about 6 1/2 hrs of daylight. It'll be late January before we get back to where we are now.

I heard there was a recent election but it hasn't penetrated this far north yet.

Gary

[Scott]

Re: seat sling

Scott,

As already discussed, the Spruce sling does not have the baggage compartment, so it is a moot point for Peter.

However, when I replaced my seat sling several years ago I received a sling that the material was too thin. Spruce had already realized this and were in the process of obtaining thicker material. Once the new one was made I compared it to my old one and it was an excellent example. There is a gentleman, cannot remember his name, but he spoke to me readily about the problem of the thin material. He was the one who actually manufactured them at Spruce. I have no complaints about mine. I posted on the forum about the problem and it should be searchable.

I suggest you call Spruce, dial extension 512 and talk to Amy. Tell her I told you to call and see if she cannot help you.

Thanks Marty
the original poster had no prerequisite on the baggage compartment but asked about the AS sling. Just wanted to share my observations and experience.

As I said the fabric used looks very good but the pattern and grommet installation is second string IMO. For example there is 28 grommets on the right side of the centre seat belt attach and only 26 on the left. No biggie in terms of use/durability but combine that with the fact that the grommets are not even in a remotely straight line and the other issues and I conclude the sling is usable but disappointing.

I'm not about slamming AS, I'm generally content with the service I receive. I always give suppliers the benefit of the doubt and in this case I took the time to send detailed information and photos to Aircraft Spruce in August 2015 showing the shortcomings of their sling. I followed up several times through October 2015. The last communication I had from them said they'd be back in touch as soon as they had information from their pattern supplier. That was the last I heard. I have decided to repair the sling myself as that appears to be the most effective use of my time.

[M Towsley]

Re: seat sling

Scott,

You must have responded to the original post, which was from 2007. This thread was updated by Peter who was interested in a sling/compartment combo. Perhaps there was some confusion on your part, hence my observation of Peter's issue. Try calling Amy at Spruce and see what happens.

[Scott]

Re: seat sling

Yup that's exactly what I did. Obviously a need to pay more attention.

No need to waste any more time on the AS seat sling