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Topic: Need some tips on Tolex for a project ... |
Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
From:
Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
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Posted 17 Feb 2010 7:32 pm |
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An integral part of my pedal steel rig has always been my effects rack. When I was on the road, lugging that 130 pound contraption around wasn't really an issue, but I'm a little older now with back & pelvis issues ... so ... I decided to build a small cart on casters to make moving this thing around a lot easier.
The images below sort of show how I built it (had to use spare pieces of wood and such around the house, the only thing "new" on it is the felt and casters).
It's not finished yet, though. But, I've given it a test run and I love the angle and height that my rack sits at. The recessed tray that I made for my RAT foot controller and bar/picks/tuning wrench, etc. is really handy, too. Puts the RAT controller at my fingertips instead of snaking a cable around to push the buttons with my foot.
I initially thought of just spray painting all the bare wood in flat black, but as I plan to start gigging again, I don't want it to look so "home made" on stage. I'd like to cover it with Tolex like my amps are covered in, but I've never used Tolex before.
If anyone, after seeing the images below, has some helpful tips on doing this, I'm wide open to suggestions. Any helpful tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Here's an image of it freshly assembled and ready for the rack to be placed on it ...
And another showing it from the front ...
This one shows the rack loosely fitted into place ...
A photo of the rack beside my steel in playing position ...
Here's a view of the recessed tray for the controller and bars/picks, etc.
And, one last image showing a closer photo of the tray ...
I'm thinking the application of Tolex (with metal corner protectors) is the best way to make this thing have some stage appeal and not look so "home made" ... but I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance for any tips you may have to offer. 
_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks) |
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 17 Feb 2010 7:51 pm
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Hi Jim, the best thing to use in my opinion is black speaker carpet cover, i've made a rack for my P.A and it looks real professional and it's easy to work with compared to tolex and it's really tough, it doesn't gets scratch or tear ect...like paint and tolex , i used a ciment contact in spray can and i was amazed at the final result has it was the first time working with that material, one thing with carpet is that it hides the seams real good and are hard see. 
check this link.
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=826&CFID=24001461&CFTOKEN=33809390
_________________
Comeau SD10 4x5, Comeau S10 3x5, Peavey Session 500,Fender Telecaster,Fender Stratocaster, Fender Precision,1978 Ovation Viper electric. Alvarez 4 strings Violin electric.
Click the links to listen to my Comeau's Pedal Steel Guitars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYiaomZx3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GhZTN_yXI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvDTw2zNriI |
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David Beckner
From:
Kentucky, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2010 8:21 pm
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i run an upholstery shop and i would suggest that you could use either a carpet or a vinyl whichever way you decide will look good ..let me make a suggestion tho.. go to an auto parts or paint shop in your area and buy the best headliner or spray on carpet glue you can find - 3m or misty are two that i use religiosly in my shop..they will not give due to climate change.
_________________
WILCOX SD10 (love the white mica)
WALKER SEAT
NASHVILLE 400
BEHRINGER RACK TUNER
CUSH CASE RACK
PEAVEY DELTA FEX
PARTS CASTER.Gospel and Classic Country Music
http://www.dbupholstery.yolasite.com |
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Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
From:
Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 12:24 am
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Pat ... thanks for the suggestion and link. I went to the link and I'm going to order the Peavey Black Carpet Covering 3x6 Foot Roll and 1 yard of the latex backed black carpet covering (for a couple of made of a hard board wood that'll swell if moisture hits it). The carpet stuff looks like it'll be easier to work with than Tolex for sure.
David ... thanks for the tip on the glue. I'll definitely get one of the two you mentioned --- either 3M or Misty.
One question I do have is, after I make my cuts for the pieces (I'll disassemble the cart, make the coverings and reassemble it), should I spray the adhesive directly onto the back of the carpet that'll be sticking onto the surface, or spray the surface itself then apply the carpet to the sticky surface?
_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks) |
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David Beckner
From:
Kentucky, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 1:42 am
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Jim your question about the glue will depend on the type you get..some say spray both surfaces wait 30 -60 seconds and then stick together and some glue say to spray on a roughened surface so be sure to read the can..let me know how this turns out for you.
_________________
WILCOX SD10 (love the white mica)
WALKER SEAT
NASHVILLE 400
BEHRINGER RACK TUNER
CUSH CASE RACK
PEAVEY DELTA FEX
PARTS CASTER.Gospel and Classic Country Music
http://www.dbupholstery.yolasite.com |
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Rick Johnson
From:
Wheelwright, Ky USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 5:20 am
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Jim
The black carpet won't bend around
the narrow plywood very well. It will
need lots of staples and I think it tends
to trap odors and even mildew. Tolex would be a
better choice. Most chrome corners are
made to fit 3/4" thick material.
You have a good design. I have seen similar
versions.
If it were me I would build the sides from
3/4" birch plywood and use a 1/2"
radius on the edges. Definately put a support between the sides on the rear.
It looks like you have casters on it, thats good.
Maybe just build up the sides to make
it 3/4" and round them over.
Just my thoughts
Rick
www.rickjohnsoncabs.com |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 5:33 am
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Jim,
You might want to consider painting it with truck bed liner. It's available at auto parts stores or WalMart. You can brush or roll it on. It's weatherproof, inexpensive, easy, and looks pretty darn good! I put a new top panel on an old Vox bass case a few years ago and it came out pretty nice, all things considered.
_________________
Doug Earnest
Manufacturer of Stage One & Encore pedal steel guitars
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com
"Teach Your Children Well" |
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Dave Burr
From:
League City, TX
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 6:13 am
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Doug, You beat me to it!! I was thinking the same thing! I'm not so sure it wouldn't be more durable than the tolex.... 
_________________
Respectfully,
david burr |
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Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
From:
Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 9:35 am
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Hi, Guys ...
Thanks for all these great tips and suggestions. It's definitely going to boil down to a decision on what to cover the cart with now. Lots of food for thought to consider.
Pat makes a good point that seams in the carpet are less noticeable (and after looking at my steel case which is covered in that stuff, I see what he means).
Rick also brought up some good points to consider: with the thin design of the plywood I'd used on the sides, the carpet would be harder to bend around those (but I'm thinking of using small upholstery tacks if I go that route). Also, I didn't initially consider that carpet covering can hold odors (I'm getting a sudden image of taking my rig into a church to play some Gospel music and, to everyone's displeasure, my rack smelling like a tobacco factory after being in smoke filled venues).
I'm thinking of getting 1/2" birch plywood and adding it to the sides already there to create a 3/4" side and then use my friend's router to round the edges like Rick suggested (even though the cart is surprisingly sturdy the way it currently is).
Now, the paint-on truck bed liner suggested by Doug Earnest and Dave Burr sounds very interesting, too! I wasn't aware that truck bed liner came in a paintable form for consumers. This might be the way I end up going (out of the necessity of economy) if it's the least expensive route. Economy seems to be the key word on this project.
To be embarrassingly honest, the real challenge I've run into on making this thing is expense. I know how I'd like to make the cart, but I'm currently on unemployment and pennies are literally like dollars right now. I'm hoping to start gigging again and draw some income that way. My end goal with the cart is to make it look stage worthy while still being economical about it at the same time (then, later after some good money comes in, perhaps built a new one that really looks a lot better).
Rick, I added a support between the sides on the rear this morning. And, it is on casters ... I used 2.5" casters (two of them with brakes so I can lock the rack in place if I happen to have to play on a surface that's not level).
I have some good rack handles for it, but those I'll install after the cart's been covered. I'll post some photos of it to show how it turns out when it's complete.
Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions made so far. They're all great and now I think it's just a matter of deciding the most economical direction to go in covering it.
_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks) |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 10:24 am
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| I feel your pain, Jim. I've had to go the economy route most of my life. Now I don't really have to, but can't break the habit. It drives my wife nuts. As well as I remember a quart can of the truck bed liner stuff is about twenty bucks. Paint it on and be done with it so you can pick! |
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Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
From:
Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 11:56 am
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Well, a little good news on expense ... my buddy, Daniel Arcuri, has offered to spring for my Tolex to save me some expense provided he gets to choose the Tolex ... and this is what he found as his choice for my rack:
It's a sheet of Tolex 36" x 54" in snake skin pattern ($24.00) ...
I took the photo of my rack on the cart and did a little Photoshop editing to render a "suggestion" of what the cart would look like with the sides and lower front plate done in the snake skin Tolex (and the upper front covered in the black carpet stuff).
Does this look a little too wild? Or, does anyone think this would be a cool way to fix it up?
_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks) |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 12:41 pm
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I suppose it depends on which church you play in, Jim.......   |
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Steve English
From:
Baja, Arizona
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 1:35 pm
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| I'm curious as to why you didn't just put wheels on the rack? |
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Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
From:
Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 3:05 pm
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Hi, Steve. Actually, I did initially think of putting casters directly on the rack, but the main reason I decided to build a cart for it is that I wanted the face plates of the units in the rack to be up and at an angle for easier reading and operation. And, sitting at my steel, I really love the elevation and angle it sits at. Works really well for me.
Doug, it's funny you mentioned about what churches I might play in with the rack covered in snake skin. I was joking with Daniel over the phone about his suggestion of the snake skin Tolex and mentioned that not only was it a little wild for my tastes, it might look a bit funny if I were to play in church with it, then he said, "Oh, you could always go to one of those congregations where they take up serpents. Then the snake skin cover would fit right in!" 
I think I'm going to go ahead and work with plain old black Tolex and hope I can do a decent job applying it.
_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks) |
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Larry Baker
From:
Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 3:32 pm
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Jim, the snake skin I think looks good, but I'm scared to death of snakes, and would be afraid to touch the thing. Larry
_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 3:58 pm
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| you carry that stand, rack 'and' amps everywhere you go...? |
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Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
From:
Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 4:16 pm
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Hi, Chris,
Well, the rack stand hasn't been anywhere yet as it's just built, but when I was gigging all the time and on the road, yep, I had my steel, pack seat, both amps and my rack with me.
I know that by today's equipment standards what I'm using is probably considered a dinosaur setup, and I'm sure there are units out there that do everything and more than what my setup does which would allow me to go way lighter, but I'm an old die-hard. I love the sound(s) I get through my system as it is and don't mind lugging it around. Especially, since I can't afford an upgraded system.
_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks) |
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Steve English
From:
Baja, Arizona
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Posted 18 Feb 2010 5:46 pm
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Jim,
I like the rattlesnake decor! I like the truck bed treatment idea too. Seems to me that if you're not going to be moving the rig around too much, any of the options of coverings would work. You can get metal corners at your local hardware stores if you go with the lighter ply.
My first thought was wheels on the case and some folding legs like on the fender amps, but it does look like you've got a system tailored to your needs.
Also, I really enjoyed your playing on the you tube recording with Mickey Adams! It would be a treat to hear more. |
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