Seats for C15

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey All

The wife and I decided to make some seat covers for my CMP to see if we can get them right. below are photos of our first try, the canvas is Beige as it looks like the ratty old one I took out of the truck. The one issue we have is we are unable to find the snaps in the (for lack of the proper term)
'tags" on the front and back of the seat, you will know what I mean when you see the pics of our attempt and the forth pic showing the snap.

Does anyone know where we can locate these snaps?

Gary

[Harry Moon]

I found some of those snaps at Lordco, they usually have a setup with all kinds of Roll pins catchs and other stuff in drawers along with bolts washers etc.

[Lynn Eades]

Google "lift the dot" It should give you plenty of results. They are still in common use.

[gary_bath_jr]

Thanks Harry and Lynn, I was able to find those snaps everywhere, there are a bunch on ebay even. Now we know where to find those we can make a few sets our problem is these are beige and some of the parts we have are beige and green.

Gary

[rob love]

http://dotfasteners.thomasnet.com/ca...ll-categories?

The link above will take you right to the company that makes them. They supply them in government black as well, which will save you the effort of trying to paint them.

They also have the special tools for cutting the canvas, and setting the backing plates available in their manual tools section.

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey Rob

Thanks, I have requested a sample of the 2 types they have, finding the right tool is a little confusing. I think I have it sorted out though so am just waiting for the samples to come in.

Thanks
Gary

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Gary

The tools you need for doing a few snaps are real simple, I'll take a picture of what I use.

Cheers Phil

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Gary

Here are the tools that I use for installing snaps, lift dot snaps, eye holes and grommets in canvas and seat covers. These are the simple tools if you are doing a relatively few of each, like a vehicle at a time. If you want to get into manufacturing seat covers then the more expensive high production tools may make senses.

First and most useful this is far the most useful tool use this for the little snaps and for the Dot Lift Snaps. Its usefulness comes from the different hole sizes that it will punch. Using the largest hole punch you can even larger holes by nibbling.

With the Dot Lift Snaps I take the backing plate and use it to mark all the little tab holes and the large center hole. Then using the tool above to punch the holes.

The next group of tools for various types of snaps these are for cutting holes in canvas for fabric most kits for grommets and snaps come with a hole punch which you are supposed cut the canvas by hitting it with a hammer on a block of wood. What I have found cuts a cleaner hole is to put the hole punch into a drill and cut the hole that way. Hence the drill and various sized tubing stock. Yes 303 shell casing cut nice 1/4" holes, short lengths of tubing of different diameters make good cutting tools. Just dress the edge a little by spinning the tube against a file both out side and inside. Once it dulls or roles edge over just resharpen. Cutting cloth is not a matter of pressure as much as speed of the drill and a soft block of wood underneath to press against When doing a lot holes putting the cutting tubes in the drill press and selecting a high speed works very quick, remember the wood backing. (Use the same trick when making gaskets in paper as well)

Two other tools needed less often are for doing eyelets on left is the cheap hardware or sewing store tool for eyelets. Tool at right is an old tool found it in a flea market multi tool crimping rare but if you see one cheap grab it. Purpose of these tools is to roll the inside end of the eyelet back on to the fabric.

Now for the snaps the little kits sold in the hardware or sewing store seem to come in two varieties cheep limited use generally made of aluminum or heavy duty made of steel as in the grommet kits style.

Hope this is of some help.

General question about readability is this style of posting with thumbnail picture inserted into the text at the appropriate location more useful than having all the thumbnail photos at the bottom. Which is easier read?

Cheers Phil

[r.morrison]

Simply....a work of art! Nice job Phil. Robert

[chris vickery]

Interesting sidenote here; When I restored my first truck, it was a 12 cab Ford 15cwt.
My friends mother in law was an ex wartime labourer in of all places, one of the companies that made seat covers for cmps!
As her passion and hobby in retirement was sewing, she was more than obliging to whip me up an exact pair for my truck. They were a work of art when I received them, it took her a bit of time to clear out the foggy memories and remember how she did them 60 plus years ago.
Sadly she has since passed but I can honestly say that my former truck has a pair of new manufactired seat covers, not repros, done by an expert who's efforts were greatly appreciated by the war effort.