Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Had a play around with my canvas tarp, draping it unceremoniously over the sunshine cab roof.
20160925_133920-resized-1280.jpg 20160925_133902-resized-1280.jpg
These 2 photos are taken from front driver side corner. The 'tuck' under at front, is how the canvas will sit over the metal piece that runs across and tightens into place with two brass wingnuts. I hadn't realised there was a very obvious seam down the middle. I don't fancy that at all. Apart from the seams having highly visible thread, it looks ugly to have a line right at the highest point, where the steel tube will hold it in prominence. Grrrrr.
20160925_134353-resized-1280.jpg 20160925_133958-resized-1280.jpg

The metal parts that form part of the rear cab window are now primed and ready to be incorporated into that project, which is the next thing i will tackle. I'm working my way up to the cab roof cover!
20160925_154903-resized-1280.jpg

[Mike K]

If you feel that the Indian canvas is not strong enough . Maybe consider two layers of it sewn together ? Nobody will notice any difference and it will have a heavy thick original appearance

[Private_collector]

I think it will be OK if I use strong thread (which I already have) on all stitching, and double seams all round. If I make allowances correctly, the slight stretch will work in my favor, because the raised up tube in the middle means without stretch it won't sit right at the rear. The tricky bit will be getting the stretch tension just right. If I am out by a little, that can be corrected, I think, buy the tension on the lacing through eyelets down at the back.

I'm happy with the cheap canvas. It looks right, when viewed in person, but when looking at the photos I took today, it looks all sort of wooly and overly fuzzy. In reality that's not the case. I also see the photos have highlighted very minor defects in manufacturing where a lump may appear in the weave. To be honest, I don't think the original canvas would be any better quality, so it's probably fairly representative of how it once looked, all those decades ago. Looking at examples in museum photos, theirs are rather poorly fabricated and sewn. If I get it taut and fitting well all round, I'll be alright with the result.

Incidentally, I made a remark some days ago, about having leftover material to use for my 25pdr spares roll. Noooooooo, there won't be enough for that or anything else larger than a gear boot cover perhaps.

[Mike K]

You know this already. Before you do any sewing , throw the canvas over the washing line outside, give it a good soaking and let the sun dry it , it will shrink about 1" - 2" all round .

[Private_collector]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

You know this already. Before you do any sewing , throw the canvas over the washing line outside, give it a good soaking and let the sun dry it , it will shrink about 1" - 2" all round .

Thanks Mike! I didn't know that. A very important piece of info to know.
If weather is fine next weekend, I'll give it a good hosing!
Might go back and visit the disposals store again this week, and see if the bigger tarps by same manufactrer may have wider single panels, so I can avoid the join down middle of the roof.

[Private_collector]

I'm about half way through the canvas curtain for rear window of my green truck.
20161009_183318-resized-1024.jpg 20161009_183432-resized-1024.jpg
Main part is finished, and the roll-up tabs on back are attached. The steel bar fits the bottom pocket OK. What isn't OK is my sewing. I sew like I weld. Terribly. Took second attempts on two stitch runs, both of which had to be unpicked stitch by stitch. It's a good incentive to get it right first time from then on!
_20161009_184723-resized-1024.jpg 20161009_183604-resized-1024.jpg
Speaking of dodgy. Look at how straight the top steel piece isn't! It is original, and the joining of two short pieces is obvious. They had to elongate some holes to make it fit the piece behind it. Classic WW2 bodge, to 'keep em rolling'. The two tabs seen above photo are not attached yet. The canvas I used was very coarse and looks right. It did stretch in certain ways, and once that was anticipated I had a better time of working with it. Freys very easily though, so I was grateful that the plans for this piece (supplied by a good friend and fellow MLU chap) called for mostly double layer seams, one way or another.
20161009_131239-resized-1024.jpg
The metal plates that sandwich the diagonal canvas tabs are painted and drying. I may place them next weekend, but will also be attending some duties in readiness for travelling to Bandiana early the following week.

Incidentally, I do believe I may have wasted my money on an industrial sewing machine, because this entire job was done on my Wifes standard duty Janome tabletop machine. There were seven layers of canvas in places, and her machine just chugged away without missing a beat. Can't imagine ever needing to sew eight or more layers in one place, so the Janome might get the job of stitching the sunshine roof cover in a few weeks time!

[Private_collector]

Courtesy of unsatisfactory results first time, a new pair of the corner tabs for my rear window curtain were made this evening.
20161011_200946-resized-1024.jpg
The first ones I made, like the originals, had a single fold hem only (see left side, following photo). I fully expected real problems with that at some point, and besides, they looked REALLY horrible when folded back to expose underside. Yuck! The one on right hand side of same photo is my second type.
20161011_200732-resized-1024.jpg 20161011_200813-resized-1024.jpg
The side view (right hand photo above) illustrates the increased thickness of second attempt. These are basically two like the first ones, sewn back to back and with diagonal stitching for added strength.
20161011_202429-resized-1024.jpg
After a brief search, I found the eyelets I had bought some time ago for this specific job. They will also be used for the canvas part of the sunshine cab roof.

I urgently need to see what the springs look like that pull the corner tabs down and laterally, holding the canvas curtain taut and stopping any flapping around. I have the right angle brackets that hold the other end of the spring to rear cab panel, but have never (so far as I know) seen an example of the springs themselves. If you have a photo of these, I would be most grateful to see it.