The Rodding Roundtable

Motorhead Message Central => Rodder's Roundtable => Topic started by: My52Chebby on March 31, 2014, 05:44:39 PM

Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: My52Chebby on March 31, 2014, 05:44:39 PM
(http://images51.fotki.com/v278/photos/2/20008/35310/Speakerpunches-vi.jpg)

I think that those punched holes for the speakers on the rear window shelf are done with punch plates instead of punching them one hole at a time.

Any idea who would sell those?

Thanks all.

My52Chebby
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: Glen on March 31, 2014, 06:51:03 PM
I think shops do those by hand.  I know Glenn Kramer does
 Every car is different.  Glenn draws his out on a cardboard template then punches them.
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: kb426 on March 31, 2014, 07:01:43 PM
I was curious so I googled it. I didn't find anything. It'll be interesting to see if you find anything other than the hand method.
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: phat46 on March 31, 2014, 07:37:55 PM
Could be done by a steel rule die shop like the one I used to work at, but it would cost about a grand for each die.... :lol:
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: enjenjo on March 31, 2014, 07:46:34 PM
If you know some one with a CNC mill, it would be no problem to create a template from 1/8" aluminum, and while holding it with clamps, punching the holes one at a time with a regular leather punch.
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: Glen on March 31, 2014, 11:11:50 PM
crappy small picture, but this was my buick.

(http://www.hotrodsbyglen.net/interior12b.jpg)
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: BFS57 on April 01, 2014, 07:30:06 AM
Hello;
The way it's done is outlined above. the upholster (custom) has made several templates over the years of their craft. they  hold the template in place and drill out the holes, by hand. Another way to "conceal" speakers is to use "tweed" style material (porus) over the areas where the speakers are.

Bruce
Title: Just got an email from Sid Chavers...
Post by: My52Chebby on April 01, 2014, 12:25:15 PM
Hi guys,

Thank you all for your input, I had also sent an email to Sid (Sid Chavers, upholsterer extraordinaire to Roy Brizio) asking the same question and he replied this morning.

He too says that over the years he's developed several patterns for speaker "grilles" and the holes are all punched by hand one at a time.

Here's a picture he sent me.

(http://images14.fotki.com/v218/photos/8/20008/9260701/Speakerpunches-vi.jpg)

I guess, I'll get out the old geometry set and design my own pattern.

Thanks again guys.

My52Chebby
p.s.: Link to my '52 Chevy pickup build album on Fotki : http://public.fotki.com/skylark/1952-chevy-pickup/
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: kb426 on April 01, 2014, 01:00:19 PM
It's kind of surprising that after all these years there's not something more automated. Nothing like some old fashioned craftsmanship.
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: wayne petty on April 01, 2014, 01:51:53 PM
my friend gus (rip) did stuff like this.. he always kept a slab of lead on the work bench .. so he did not dull the punches.    using a hammer to flatten the surface once in a while.. do you want a block of lead around??



one might want to invest in something like this..

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12132920106274964790?q=leather+punch&client=firefox-a&hs=gP4&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.63934634,d.b2I,pv.xjs.s.en_US.XfwMuUWwEZU.O&biw=1362&bih=755&tch=1&ech=1&psi=z_o6U96PHsT72QXv2oDoBw.1396374224538.3&sa=X&ei=2Po6U6fQNeTAyAGGkIGYAQ&ved=0CMsBEPMCMAU

in case the link does not work..

Leather Factory Tool Punch Set Mini 6pc

tempered steel tubes come in a variety of sizes (5/64in/2mm; 3/32in/2.5mm; 1/8in/3mm; 9/64in/3.5mm; 5/32in/4mm and 11/64in/5mm) and securely screw into the handle using the included wrench. Imported.


just ideas...
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: Mac on April 01, 2014, 03:04:58 PM
Lay a pattern out on a piece of hardwood. Drill holes half way thru at each spot for press fitting pieces of steel tubing in your size choice . Sharpen the cutting end of each tubing piece with a sander before installing into block. Place your material on a scrap of softwood, position your "multipunch" and give it a good smack with a deadblow hammer.

Your 2nd speaker cloth will go much faster.  :lol:
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: kb426 on April 01, 2014, 05:49:28 PM
Mac, if I put the tubing in the lathe and machined it, I'd have a gasket cutter affair. If I ever need to do this, I'll remember that method.
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: enjenjo on April 01, 2014, 06:50:56 PM
Here's an idea, you can buy these stainless steel tubing inserts in several sizes, and they will punch through leather easily. You could insert them through holes in your template, put a pressure plate on top, and use them to punch your holes. As long as you backed it with something like wood, or hard rubber, you could reuse it several times. The inserts are the ID of the tubing, so a 1/4" insert is .133" diameter, a 3/8" insert is .215"


 http://www.midlandindustrial.com/product.php?cat=Brass+Fittings&section=D.O.T.+Air+Brake++Nylon+Tubing&shape=&master=Stainless+Steel+Insert


(http://www.midlandindustrial.com/photos/38035.jpg)
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: purplepickup on April 01, 2014, 10:12:27 PM
How about taking it to a laser cutting shop that does custom work.  When I was working we had some leather keychains made for marketing with our company's logo cut into them.  There's a set of motorcycle leathers about 1/4 of the way down on this page with ventilation holes cut with a laser.  http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/rev-it/2010/  The pattern possibilities are endless.
Title: I'm looking for this upholstery tool...
Post by: river1 on April 01, 2014, 10:18:42 PM
I think george is on to something

https://www.google.com/search?q=laser+cutting+leather&client=chrome-mobile&espv=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&sboxchip=Images&source=univ&sa=X&ei=yXI7U_fzEOeTyQG12oDoBw&ved=0CEcQ7Ak&biw=1280&bih=752

lots of cool possibilities

later jim