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[Mark M]

Hi all, First off, thank you to John for setting up this forum. Lots of great info here, along with the videos on Youtube.

To say I'm new to sewing would be an understatement, try 2 weeks! I think I've done too much research, looking at reviews that in the end you are not sure what equipment to pull the trigger on, so you buy nothing. I'm going to be redoing the two bench seats on my '71 Plymouth Scamp. In fact I have two sets of seats and door panels for it. My question is about the door panels.

As I'm just starting out, I wanted to learn on cheaper material so it didn't cost me much when I screw up. Just like a newbie mechanic buying cheap tools from Wally World then appreciating the Snap-On tools once, and only once he's got a full understanding on what the heck he is doing. So the question is, I know I need an air staple gun but I don't want to go overkill right out of the gate. I was thinking of the Sailrite short nose as a starter. For the door panels, I will be testing with 1/8th hardboard (Home Depot) and 1/8th ABS (Alro Plastics in Michigan). Just using regular EZ Vinyl with 1/4" Sewfoam and a #92 thread. (If you had asked me 3 weeks ago what those were, I would have replied,"Specs for a new camshaft?"). I want to be able to not only glue the vinyl to the back of the board, but also staple it. What would I need, if it's possible, to staple into ABS plastic? Just to add, I haven't decided on a sewing machine yet for my stitching as the wife dusted off her old Kenmore, that I think has "Owned by Noahs Wife" stamped underneath it, but it will not be a new one. My pockets aren't that deep. Already figured out the the timing is off and it doesn't like #92 thread, along with 2 layers of vinyl and 1/4" Sewfoam LOL. Just using that to at least understand stitches and control the fabric etc. Long winded intro but I thought I'd let it fly.

Thanks in advance

Mark

[John Long]

My advice, @Mark M , would be to be sure and buy a stapler that will accept “series 71" staples. They will be 3/8 crown by whatever leg length you buy.

The reason for this recommendation is you can buy the series 71 staples in stainless steel which are really needed in automotive work and absolutely imperative in boat work. I have them in 5/32, 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 lengths. All are stainless. There are many sizes, like the Arrow brand, where you can not find all sizes of staples in stainless. I would advise against going that route.

I don't know about the Sailrite stapler but I think I paid about $130 for my BEA. It is known as a quality brand and has been really good.

John Long

[Mark M]

Thank you John. The Sailrite uses 1/2" crown (21 gauge) as opposed to the 3/8" of the BEA, which I thought might be better for working with Vinyl. But saying that, I'm no expert. Have you used the BEA on ABS? - If so, what size did you shoot though it? - just trying to see if it is even warranted/needed for ABS. This is the sailrite https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Short ... Staple-Gun . Which BEA do you have?

[John Long]

If I am not mistaken, the BEA is what John Pollock uses to shoot staples into ABS in all of his instruction videos. I will have to check my stapler to see which model it is. I have bought a sheet of ABS and fully expect the BEA to work just fine. I have used it on PVC solid panel many times.

John Long

[Mark M]

@John Long I bought some 12" x 12" 1/8th panels to test/ruin before I forked out $80 for a sheet. I think it'll boil down to the length of the staple once going through the vinyl then then abs.

[John Long]

You can shoot a 5/32 through the panel at an angle without going through.

John Long

[Mark M]

@John Long Thank you, that's what I needed to know.

[Rug Dr.]

70's will shoot into ABS, plenty of them at sea ray boats in Phoenix back in the day. The real deal is a 71 series long nose. I needed one for one ABS seat, and now I use it all the time. German BeA stainless can be found on ebay in both sizes and several lengths. Just shop around, 50 bucks for a box of 5000 isn't a good price. And don't buy those cheap china knock off's, you will buy 10 of those before a BeA breaks down, if it breaks down.

[Mark M]

@Rug Dr. Thanks. Seems at this point the long nose would get more use than a short nose. Thanks again to all.

[John]

Welcome to the forum @Mark M Happy to have you here!

Yes you can staple to ABS no problem. Its my favorite material to work with.

I only recommend Bea guns. They are the best and rarely malfunction. This is the gun I recommend https://amzn.to/2KjALK0

I'm not sure about the cheaper brands out there. There is one at harbor frieght that might be able to work for the time being. https://www.harborfreight.com/20-gauge- ... 68029.html

[Mark M]

@John Thank you. Great forum full of info. In regards to stapling to it, do you use the 5/32 at an angle as John Long said and 1/4" at an angle if using thicker vinyl? Just trying to cover my bases. Thanks

[John]

No I would only use 5/32. 1/4 inch you will run the risk of it shooting through the the face of your panel. We used to use 1/8 staples on door panels but in recent years the have gotten difficult to find for some reason. So now every one uses 5/32 at an angle.

[Mark M]

@John . Its proving hard to even find 5/32, unless I'm missing something. Do you have a preferential place to get those from?

[John]

Albrights has them. https://www.albrightssupply.com/empire- ... ish-emp532

[Mark M]

@John, right under my nose as I was just on their site LOL - Thanks :)