Patching a hole on bottom skin

[piercewhat 0]

I have looked in the poynter manual's and in the forum's but I cannot find any info on this. I want to repair a 5.5 inch hole in the bottom skin of my canopy. It is in the center of the cell and it looks like a straight cut/snag. Does the repair need to be a square or can I do a rectangular patch? Is there a difference in how it will effect the whole of that cell? are square patches more efficient then rectangular ones?

[nicknitro71 0]

Make it square so there'll be even tension on all sides.

Memento Audere Semper

903

[masterrig 1]

I've done rectangular patches and have never had a problem or complaint about them. Just follow patching procedures as in Poynter's.


Chuck

[KevinMcGuire 0]

Rectangular patches are fine when they are applied correctly. How close to the load barring seam is the damage? Are there any line attachments close to the damaged area. How far from the PCA reinforcing tape is the damage?
These are the real issues to be considered when working on the bottom skin of a canopy. If the hole is close to a line attachment point or load barring seam, then the best course of action may be to incorporate the patch into the load barring seam. Doing this may require you to remove the line attachment and or remove reinforcing tapes. For putting it all back together, you'll need a good straight stitch, and have access to a bar tacker or at least a good zig zag. If you try to put a patch too close to a line attachment point, then you run the risk of "point loading" the patch. Sooner or later, it will fail.
If you think any of this is beyond your skill level, then maybe you should find some one close to you who has the experience, machines, and skill to do the repair. Doing lousy work will result in failure down the road. Can you take a picture of the damage and post it here?

[piercewhat 0]

I will try to take a picture. It is in the center of the cell and i have plenty of working room. It is a straight tear 5.5 inches long, running from left to right.

[piercewhat 0]

Here is the picture it runs parrallel in the relation of the span of the canopy if that makes any difference.

[darkwing 5]

It looks fairly straightforward to put in a rectangular patch there. The main question I have is how did it happen? Is there a reason to suspect the strength of the fabric?

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[piercewhat 0]

Branch sticking out of a bush on landing cut/snag. It is on F111 so I will patch it and do a strength test to see if it directly affected the fabric strength. That is why I wanted to know why a rectangular patch wouldn't work. It would be a waste cutting out all that other fabric. Wouldn't it?

[riggerrob 643]

Square or rectangular?
It depends upon the shape of the damage.
Both shapes work well if sewn neatly.

[masterrig 1]

What Rob said!


Chuck

[piercewhat 0]

Awsome thanks Rob.

[piercewhat 0]

Well I did a rectangular patch. Going to jump it this week and let you know if it worked or not. Thanks again for all the help. By the way I found a 31-15 in Connecticut and drove 3 hours to go get it and 3 hours to bring it back. Yeah thats right I spend my saturday's hunting for sewing machines.

patch or be patched

[masterrig 1]

Quote

Well I did a rectangular patch. Going to jump it this week and let you know if it worked or not. Thanks again for all the help. By the way I found a 31-15 in Connecticut and drove 3 hours to go get it and 3 hours to bring it back. Yeah thats right I spend my saturday's hunting for sewing machines.

patch or be patched

____________________________________

...and, the problem is? That way, you can see first-hand, what you are getting and decide whether or not you want the machine. Buying off the net via e-Bay or something like that, you stand a fat chance of getting stung. Good going! I've had my 31-15 for about 15-yrs. and use it more than any machine I own. It's great for patching parachutes. Once, you get over the idea of no reverse and learn how to 'work' the material.


Chuck


Chuck