need some idea help on building a top

jackel440 · 05-17-2010, 05:29 PM

I would like to build a metal frame that has a couple of bows ,and attach a canvass or vinyl material by the way of snaps..I want to put the on my Taylor Dunn flatbed.So when I take it to the campgrounds we don't have to worry about rain.I also want to be able to remove it when I don't need it.
I can build the frame with no problem.My problem is I don't know how to go about making my toand getting it to attach to my frame.
Any ideas?

crash12888 · 05-17-2010, 07:42 PM

You could go with something similar to what the jeep Bimini top looks like. It just snaps to the roll cage for sun/rain protection.
I will eventually be doing the same to my Yamazuki, it has a top support that looks like a roll cage but it made out of 1.5" exhaust tubing.
I would suggest you get top support built and looking the way you like it and then check the net or local upolstery shops for a snap kit.
I would also spend the little extra and go with stainless snaps.
Or check with any local Marine upolstery place for stainless snap or even get them to qoute making the top for you.

jackel440 · 05-17-2010, 09:04 PM

I went out and looked at it for a second tonight ,and i have a couple of ideas on how I want the frame to look.I will have to check into some vinyl type material.Good I dea on the s.s. snaps.Didn't even think about those.
I need to get it unloaded and do some measuring.I have to wait until the 100 year flood quits outside first.lol!

Crazy Canuck · 05-17-2010, 09:45 PM

I might be interested on a top like that. It would be my project for this winter. Keep me posted on what you decide. Also as many pics as possible. thanks in advance

gornoman · 05-17-2010, 11:15 PM

SS snaps are available from West Marine. Easy to work with, too.

jackel440 · 05-18-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gornoman

SS snaps are available from West Marine. Easy to work with, too.

That is a nice looking install of the cover on your top.I am after something like that.

gornoman · 05-18-2010, 05:16 PM

The hard part is the sewing, LOL!

OutCole'd · 05-18-2010, 06:19 PM

I built a rectagular frame, and had a cover made that uses those snaps that gornoman posted. It just wraps around and snaps on the bottom. I didn't use bows which was a huge mistake because when it rains, it just puddles up on top.

jackel440 · 05-18-2010, 09:13 PM

yeah I was definatly planning on atleast 2 bows to keep it up,and from pooling water.

Gornoman, what kind of material is the fabric on your top cover?Were you able to sew it on a home sewing machine or did it need to be done on an industrial sewing machine?

crash12888 · 05-18-2010, 10:25 PM

If you tilt/angle the top forward or back a few degrees water should run off and not pool, if the material is tight enough.

05-17-2010, 05:29 PM	#1
jackel440 Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Galveston,IN Posts: 386	need some idea help on building a top I would like to build a metal frame that has a couple of bows ,and attach a canvass or vinyl material by the way of snaps..I want to put the on my Taylor Dunn flatbed.So when I take it to the campgrounds we don't have to worry about rain.I also want to be able to remove it when I don't need it. I can build the frame with no problem.My problem is I don't know how to go about making my toand getting it to attach to my frame. Any ideas?

05-17-2010, 07:42 PM	#2
crash12888 Gone Crazy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chesterfield, Va Posts: 6,021	Re: need some idea help on building a top You could go with something similar to what the jeep Bimini top looks like. It just snaps to the roll cage for sun/rain protection. I will eventually be doing the same to my Yamazuki, it has a top support that looks like a roll cage but it made out of 1.5" exhaust tubing. I would suggest you get top support built and looking the way you like it and then check the net or local upolstery shops for a snap kit. I would also spend the little extra and go with stainless snaps. Or check with any local Marine upolstery place for stainless snap or even get them to qoute making the top for you.

05-17-2010, 09:04 PM	#3
jackel440 Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Galveston,IN Posts: 386	Re: need some idea help on building a top I went out and looked at it for a second tonight ,and i have a couple of ideas on how I want the frame to look.I will have to check into some vinyl type material.Good I dea on the s.s. snaps.Didn't even think about those. I need to get it unloaded and do some measuring.I have to wait until the 100 year flood quits outside first.lol!

05-17-2010, 11:15 PM	#5
gornoman Stay thirsty my friends! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Suburban Chicago Posts: 24,286	Re: need some idea help on building a top SS snaps are available from West Marine. Easy to work with, too.

05-18-2010, 05:16 PM	#7
gornoman Stay thirsty my friends! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Suburban Chicago Posts: 24,286	Re: need some idea help on building a top The hard part is the sewing, LOL!

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05-18-2010, 06:19 PM	#8
OutCole'd Getting Wild Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vegas Posts: 129	Re: need some idea help on building a top I built a rectagular frame, and had a cover made that uses those snaps that gornoman posted. It just wraps around and snaps on the bottom. I didn't use bows which was a huge mistake because when it rains, it just puddles up on top.

05-18-2010, 09:13 PM	#9
jackel440 Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Galveston,IN Posts: 386	Re: need some idea help on building a top yeah I was definatly planning on atleast 2 bows to keep it up,and from pooling water. Gornoman, what kind of material is the fabric on your top cover?Were you able to sew it on a home sewing machine or did it need to be done on an industrial sewing machine?

05-18-2010, 10:25 PM	#10
crash12888 Gone Crazy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chesterfield, Va Posts: 6,021	Re: need some idea help on building a top If you tilt/angle the top forward or back a few degrees water should run off and not pool, if the material is tight enough.

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