Replaceing Plywood in Seat

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Mailman
Posts: 215
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Sandy Otte
Location: Wakefield, NE

Replaceing Plywood in Seat

Post by Mailman »

Hey, I have looked in this forum as I am sure I've read it in here but here goes. What is the best way or best glue to use to hold the plywood strips that I am going to replace in my 81 Sportfire seat? I want to box it up and send it to John ASAP. I just can't seem to find the post. Thanks. Mailman


;)
jddecalguy
Posts: 249
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:00 am
Location: minnesota
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Replaceing Plywood in Seat

Post by jddecalguy »

let john glue them in that way he can fit them the way he needs to to make them work and look the best for your seat. he just did 2 seats for me and he made the wood for the bottem and glued it the seats are really nice.

jddecalguy
JDDDeere
Posts: 119
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:00 am

Replaceing Plywood in Seat

Post by JDDDeere »

As an alternative to sending him the seat, I'll explain the process I've use with great success on 2 JD500, a spit, and soon a Sprint (using covers that John has provided me).

I remove the foam from the old plywood. Using 5/8 inche plywood I cut a replacement piece. I use a router to route a channel for the tail light wires (about 1/8 inch deep). THen, I drill 1/4 inch holes thru the plywood, using the two holes in the rear of the tunnel as a guide. Then i temporarily thread a bolt thru each and temporatily affix the plywood. THen I drill two more holes thru the ply wood toward the front while the plywood is lightly bolted on from the rear (this ensures they'll line up perfectrly.) Once i have all 4 holes, I remove the plywood, and counter bore the holes, from the top, so that a nut sits down in the hole a tiny bit... then I use gorila glue or epoxy to secrue the nuts to the plywood, pulling them snug while the glue dries. Using a cover from john, I replace the foam and staple the cover all the way around. For this method, you don't need the "clips" that are riveted on the tunnel, so I cut those flush. Once the seat is back together, cut tiny holes thru the cover material on the bottom of the seat around each of your 4 previously drilled holes. put it on and thread the bolt (with washer) up thru the tunnel, the nut has always stayed in place with the glue/epoxy.

I've had great success this way. I'm sure there are others way, but thought I'd share this if your looking for alternatives.

Dan
Jingles
Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2005 12:00 am

Replaceing Plywood in Seat

Post by Jingles »

Use what's left of the original wood as a template to cut new plywood. Test fit it on the tunnel and mark the rear mount holes on the wood. Drill out the holes, then install a 'T' nut, available from any hardware store, into the wood from the top side of the wood. Use generous amounts of contact cement to adhere the new wood to your foam,
tack on the seat cover, and install the finished product on the machine. The key to a nice job is the seat cover, the original covers I have reinstalled are stiff and shrunken,
causing the base of the finished seats to be too wide on the bottom, and difficult to install. The front mounts are flimsy and this is were you start to run into problems.
That's my expeariance so far. Has anyone had good luck with NOS covers, or are they stiff and shrunken? Considering ordering repo covering fron 'John's'. Any advice? Jingles.
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