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MG TD TF 1500 - tacks or screws in the hidem strip?

As I move towards my convertible top project (currently stripping the metal frame) I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to do the canvas attachments.
With the hidem strip, I've decided I'm not going to buy a special staple gun just to put in twenty staples (I can use my regular stapler everywhere else).
So my choice is using tacks or brads or very small screws in the hidem strip. I lean towards screws because they are removeable.
What have people done and what would you recommend in terms of screw length/head shape/type of metal?
Geoffrey M Baker

If you use screws they are going to have to be tiny and have a smooth head otherwise you run a chance of damaging the hidem whey you install/remove them.

I would also predrill the holes (old ash, or any ash, is as hard as a rock). Also you might want to create a set of shims that you can insert on both sides of the screw location to separate the hidem enough so the screw and your driver will clear.

Seems like a lot of work for nothing. How often do you expect to pull off your panels? I have done it once in 30 years. And I just pried off the panel and then reset the brads back in the same holes etc. I had a few I put in larger brads as pilot holes and then everything else seemed to line up. In fact in most cases I was able to reuse the same nails.

Now I will admit if you do this too often you will enlarge the holes so you will not be able to reuse them but ...
Christopher Couper

Ok what size brad or nail?
Geoffrey M Baker

I used #18 5/8" for the bulk of them and #18 3/4" where I thought I needed extra security.
Christopher Couper

Geoffrey, I'd be glad to ship you the upolstry (sp? haven't the foggiest) staple gun if you promise, PROMISE, to ship it back. It belongs to my wife (the best woman, hell person, in the world who when I said what I really want is an MG TD said "Just buy it" and when I was wistfully looking at the Harbor Freight catelog saying "I need a floor jack," said "Why don't you just buy a lift." She only had to say that once). Anyway, the upolstry stapler buries the staples completely in the hiddem and you may like that.

Let me know.

Jud jchapin3 at aol dot com or just on this bbs.
J K Chapin

Darn Jud I can see I'm going to be owing you some beer ��
Geoffrey M Baker

When I'm buying I drink copious quantities if cheap (curently Icehouse) but when friends ar buying I drink only Hieniken 'cause I really like the taste.

I just retired and for my going away ("get the hell outahere!?") party they gave me a new beer fridge and two cases of Hieneken to go with it. They truly love me.

Jud
J K Chapin

That's what I call a thoughtful gift Jud...
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoffrey, I'm sure you've looked at SDave Braun's fantastic site for tips on installing the hood. If it's not too late you might want to look at http://www.ttalk.info/Hood/ for my variation to make the hood fully removable. Dave's installation is a whole lote neater and more professional looking but I've really enjoyed not having to fold the hood canvas into the boot and keeping that space for important stuff - beer, folding chairs and the like.

Jud


J K Chapin

This thread was discussed between 15/06/2014 and 16/06/2014

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