seat update

koda2 · #1 09-21-2010, 02:47 PM

Finally got some pictures of my seat building process.
Turned out fairly well but there are some issues.
Look somewhat like OA seats but the design was from scratch.
I like the idea of the seat back setting on the cushion rather than behind.
I started with the HiTech drawings but this is much different.

Here are a couple of pics.

Did save some money but not sure if the struggle was worth it.
If anybody is interested, I'll try to put together some lessons learned.

Dave A.
6A build

Scherminator · #2 09-22-2010, 07:08 AM

Would love to hear your seat building lessons learned. I'm planning to do the same - not to save money, but to learn something

koda2 · #3 09-23-2010, 09:14 AM

to put together some kind of doc or webpage. Too many pics for thread.
Dave A.

bkilby · #4 09-23-2010, 09:50 AM

Look into these folks for foam:

http://www.sunmatecushions.com/dsi/D...s/Sunmate.aspx

The foam is awesome, and you can't beat $10 for a bottom cut! I used this and my seats turned out awesome.

flyboy1963 · #5 09-23-2010, 10:23 PM

just sat in my -9a a few hours ago, and wondered why all seat bottoms have the long thigh supports? They really get in the way sliding your feet in and out, and your thighs never touch the last 3" of them!?
If they weren't there, you might also be able to put your heel on the 'box', rather than on the seat etc. Could be really beneficial to passengers or other occasional users who haven't perfected the 'slip, move, slide, shuffle, grip, twist, drop, ease, grunt, wiggle, wiggle, ahhhhh!' procedure like most pilots.

koda2 · #6 09-26-2010, 01:03 PM

http://pages.suddenlink.net/tismuoi9/seatfab.html

jdiehl · #7 04-12-2011, 10:26 AM

I've had the Vans foam seats stashed in the back corner for the past 2 years. My wife said she'll gladly (?) do the sewing but is looking for some guidance. Vans provided paper templates for the various panels but did not provide any further guidance. Any help or tips would be appreciated.

Jim Diehl
RV-7A N891DD

Waynem · #8 04-14-2011, 06:22 AM

Kitplanes magazine ran a four article series, from April to July 2010 by Mike Manning on the whole process. The first one is called Designing Men, the June one talks the most about seat covering techniques. I think you can acess them online through the Kitplanes website.

I also found some Youtube stuff that is helpful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pawRX...eature=related

Do a search and you'll see more, it's not rivieting video but it's free

I made a booster cushion as a practice piece and as soon as I finish wiring the panel I'm going to start the real seats.

Wayne Millson

RV 10 Finishing

Upholstery Guy · #9 04-23-2011, 10:47 AM

Thank you for mentioning my Kitplanes articles. I also did a few articles for Custom Planes magazine about a decade ago. You can find copies of them at:

http://webpages.charter.net/mannings/trimtips.htm

Cheers,
Mike

Waynem · #10 04-23-2011, 09:04 PM

Hi Mike

I've been wishing there was a way to contact you! You never know who your going to find on VAF!

I picked up some leather hides at Oshkosh last year and am hoping to make them into something decent looking.
Do I still use the sandwich technique with leather?
On my practice cushion I used leather, 1/2 inch foam and canvas. The canvas and foam came from a local upolstry shop, the foam was the only fire rated stuff they had and was quite firm, making it very difficult to sew the seams together.
I've acquired some 1/4" foam from Scandia and it is much softer, but I haven't had a chance to do anything with it.

Appreciate any wisdom you can share.

Thanks

Wayne Millson

RV 10 Finishing