Jack, The way I seal the edges of the ripstop is pretty low tech: I use a standard wax candle in a candlestick holder (so I have both hands free), and run the edge of the fabric right along the edge of the flame, or at least close enough to melt the fabric slightly along every cut edge. Just like you would do the end of a nylon rope. This is a bit trickier than it sounds and I have to admit that even with a lot of practice, I'll have black smoke marks from place to place and if I'm really sloppy, I'll occasionally catch the fabric on fire. And keep your nose out of the fumes as much as you can - they're no doubt toxic too - but hey, don't hit it that hard! You only need enough to see that little melted edge. I also try to hold the fabric up enough that I'm not looking at much of the flame - really gets to your eyes if you look at it too long. I think I've seen suggestions of using a soldering iron all along the edges but haven't tried that technique myself. Coated nylon is a bit less prone to fraying, but I'll often sear that as well. Happy cutting and sewing! Natalie >[snip]... how do you sear fabric edges? > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Natalie Wiest wrote: > I also try to hold the fabric up enough that I'm not looking at much of the > flame - really gets to your eyes if you look at it too long. I think I've > seen suggestions of using a soldering iron all along the edges but haven't > tried that technique myself. The skin on my skin/frame kayak is nylon, real beefy nylon. I did all the cutting with a soldering iron, many skin/frame builders use a hot knife. The nylon skin fabric won't cut with scissors (at least not without special scissors). All the cut edges were fused and have held up to the "drum tight" deck sewing pulling parallel to the cut edge. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Anouther thing that works really well is a butane soldering gun, and attach a cutting tip on it. Then you can work with out having that cord in the way. I use mine to cut out the fabric, that way the edges are already sealed and no "globs". Several places sell them, but I got mine from Radio Shack. James Natalie Wiest wrote: > > Jack, > > The way I seal the edges of the ripstop is pretty low tech: I use a > standard wax candle in a candlestick holder (so I have both hands free), > and run the edge of the fabric right along the edge of the flame, or at > least close enough to melt the fabric slightly along every cut edge. Just > like you would do the end of a nylon rope. This is a bit trickier than it > sounds and I have to admit that even with a lot of practice, I'll have > black smoke marks from place to place and if I'm really sloppy, I'll > occasionally catch the fabric on fire. And keep your nose out of the fumes > as much as you can - they're no doubt toxic too - but hey, don't hit it > that hard! You only need enough to see that little melted edge. > > I also try to hold the fabric up enough that I'm not looking at much of the > flame - really gets to your eyes if you look at it too long. I think I've > seen suggestions of using a soldering iron all along the edges but haven't > tried that technique myself. > > Coated nylon is a bit less prone to fraying, but I'll often sear that as > well. > > Happy cutting and sewing! > > Natalie > > >[snip]... how do you sear fabric edges? > > > * *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
If you cut a lot of nylon and the like you might want to invest in a 'hot knife'. The most common variation is basically a soldering iron with a knife like tip. This tool cuts and heat seals the edge in one slice. Try; http://www.sailrite.com/ for one source. michael wiestn_at_tamug.tamu.edu wrote: > > Jack, > > The way I seal the edges of the ripstop is pretty low tech: I use a > standard wax candle in a candlestick holder (so I have both hands free), *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Natalie Wiest wrote: > The way I seal the edges of the ripstop is pretty low tech: I use a > standard wax candle in a candlestick holder (so I have both hands free), > and run the edge of the fabric right along the edge of the flame, or at > least close enough to melt the fabric slightly along every cut edge. Folks know when I've been sewing because I set my hair on fire. Something else you might want to watch out for when doing this. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Yes, I have used it on 3/4 ounce ripstop, with no problem. The butane cutter has a adjustable heat valve and I just turned it down for the really light weight stuff. I use a sheet of plywood for my cutting table. Depending on what I am cutting out, I either tack the nylon down before hand, or just mark and lay a straight edge(either a metal yard stick or a long 1X2" board)on it. By laying a straight edge on the mark, you can just lay the iron at the edge and "zip" down the cut. The fabric will be "lightly" stuck to the board after making the cut.(if you have a good eye and a steady hand, you can do all sorts of free flow cuts with it as well, just tack the fabric down first) Also, I might add that you need to move along with the cut. Just putting the tip to the nylon and leaving it there would likely cause it to melt back on the side that doesn't have the straight edge on it. Once you try it you'll be hooked. Works really slick! I have used the propane "knife" on everything from light weight kite, to heavy weight sail making projects. I also have a high(er) dollar electric cutting knife, but don't use it any more, as I don't have to worry about where the cord is all the time now. Cheers, James Natalie Wiest wrote: > > James, have you used this on lightweight, uncoated ripstop? It seems to > catch on fire easily enough with only a candle. Using a soldering gun > makes a lot of sense (it seems)for heavyweight fabrics, but I'm wondering > if it isn't a bit of overkill on the lightweight stuff. Sure would be nice > though to cut and seal in one step. How do you stabilize the fabric for > cutting, i.e., don't burn a table top or other holding device? > > Natalie > > At 02:30 PM 4/12/99 -0700, you wrote: > >Anouther thing that works really well is a butane soldering gun, and > >attach a cutting tip on it. Then you can work with out having that cord > >in the way. > > > >I use mine to cut out the fabric, that way the edges are already sealed > >and no "globs". > > > >Several places sell them, but I got mine from Radio Shack. > > > >James > > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:58 PDT