Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > Supplies

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 08-24-2010, 07:52 AM   #1
mrlizard123
Dojo: Templegate Dojo
Location: Bristol
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 129
United Kingdom
Offline
Buying canvas for dojo

Hi,

Does anyone have any information on where I could source canvas material for covering the mats in our dojo?

I have someone who would be able to machine stitch and put eyelets in etc. if I had the material; if not a complete constructed mat then just the material would be sufficient.

My knowledge of canvas is limited so I'm unsure of what type/weight of canvas is appropriate and as such when Googling I'm finding lots of art supplies and various of types of canvas but am still somewhat confused as to what is suitable.

If anyone has any advice/suggestions I'd be most grateful.

I'm based in the UK.

Thanks in advance
Rich

Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, iudicium difficile
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2010, 09:19 AM   #2
Janet Rosen
 
Janet Rosen's Avatar
Location: Left Coast
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,339
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Art supply canvas, even the heaviest weight/tightest weave, is generally not as wide as you'd want - at least 2 dojo I can think of offhand buy theirs as sailboat sail canvas from marine supply companies.

Janet Rosen
http://www.zanshinart.com
"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2010, 09:38 AM   #3
chillzATL
Location: ATL
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 847
United_States
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Quote:
Rich Hobbs wrote: View Post
Hi,

Does anyone have any information on where I could source canvas material for covering the mats in our dojo?

I have someone who would be able to machine stitch and put eyelets in etc. if I had the material; if not a complete constructed mat then just the material would be sufficient.

My knowledge of canvas is limited so I'm unsure of what type/weight of canvas is appropriate and as such when Googling I'm finding lots of art supplies and various of types of canvas but am still somewhat confused as to what is suitable.

If anyone has any advice/suggestions I'd be most grateful.

I'm based in the UK.

Thanks in advance
Rich
We've got someone in our org who does this for a living and has sourced it for many of our dojo's. Let me see if I can get you some info.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2010, 01:27 PM   #4
Larry Feldman
Dojo: Atlanta School of Aikido
Location: Atlanta, GA
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 387
United_States
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

You might try a tent and awning company....
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2010, 04:14 PM   #5
philipsmith
Dojo: Ren Shin Kan
Location: Birmingham
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 362
United Kingdom
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

There's a tarpaulin cover company based in Stourbridge, West Midlands which did a canvas for us a few years ago.

Can't remeber their name but basically do lorry cargo covers as there main business.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2010, 05:27 PM   #6
Michael Hackett
Dojo: Kenshinkan Dojo (Aikido of North County) Vista, CA
Location: Oceanside, California
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,253
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Upholstery shops usually do canvas work too.

Michael
"Leave the gun. Bring the cannoli."
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2010, 12:13 AM   #7
Michael Varin
Dojo: Aikido of Fresno
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 567
United_States
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Quote:
Larry Feldman wrote:
You might try a tent and awning company....
That's definitely the way to go.

You'll want to look for marine grade. It has a sort of vinyl covering and comes in many colors. The company I dealt with called it RS 18, but I have no idea if that is industry wide or just that store's numbering.

-Michael
"Through aiki we can feel the mind of the enemy who comes to attack and are thus able to respond immediately." - M. Mochizuki
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2010, 07:11 AM   #8
mrlizard123
Dojo: Templegate Dojo
Location: Bristol
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 129
United Kingdom
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Thanks for the replies so far, I'll return to the almighty Google and see if I can refine my searching a bit more.

Does anyone who's sourced canvas in the past recall what weight it was that they purchased? I guess I could cut a square out of the old canvas and weigh it but I'm not sure that'd make me overly popular...

Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, iudicium difficile
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2010, 02:20 PM   #9
philipsmith
Dojo: Ren Shin Kan
Location: Birmingham
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 362
United Kingdom
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

here's the website for the firm I mentioned before

http://netandcoverservices.co.uk/default.aspx
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-01-2011, 04:04 PM   #10
AlanWardroper
Dojo: Salt Spring Aikikai
Location: Canada
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 8
Canada
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Resurrecting an old thread because I have the same question. I'm in Canada, haven't found anywhere with anything wider than 60", so for a 20x20 mat you're looking at at least 4 strips

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Last edited by AlanWardroper : 07-01-2011 at 04:08 PM.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-01-2011, 05:32 PM   #11
Janet Rosen
 
Janet Rosen's Avatar
Location: Left Coast
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,339
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Again suggest marine canvas (sails) as they are made considerably wider - I believe you can get up to twice that wide for commercial uses.

Janet Rosen
http://www.zanshinart.com
"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-01-2011, 10:49 PM   #12
Garth Jones
Dojo: Allegheny Aikido
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 166
United_States
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Marine canvas is a good idea. In fact, I just had my sailmaker make a new canvas for my dojo. It came out very well.

You might check in to companies that make custom awnings and/or covers for trucks (large trucks!). They can probably handle the job.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-01-2011, 10:52 PM   #13
AlanWardroper
Dojo: Salt Spring Aikikai
Location: Canada
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 8
Canada
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

Great ideas. What weight works ? I've seen 10oz, 12oz, 18oz, thicker too.
Coated or not?
Anyone used vinyl?

Thanks
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 07:36 PM   #14
BKK
Dojo: Elkton Ki Aikido, Elkton Va.
Location: Elkton, Va.
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
United_States
Offline
Re: Buying canvas for dojo

I was a sailmaker many years ago and I've made a few mat covers over the years.

I think that the last couple I've made I've used 10oz canvas. If you're not sure what weight you want to use ask for samples. You will find that the biggest difference between the weights is the number of threads per inch, with the heavier weights having fewer threads per inch. So the heavier you go the coarser the texture, and the worse the mat burn factor. The 10 oz seems like the heaviest you can go without having something with a surface like sandpaper. The one we have now has been on about ten years or more and is holding up very well.

If you find the right supplier you should be able to get 8, 10 or 12 foot wide canvas, so you can work out what will fit with the least waste and fewest seams.

Personally, I would not use a coated canvas because I like the appearance and feel of the surface that natural canvas gives. People that are used to other surfaces sometimes comment that it seems slippery, but I think it is all in what you get used to.

Brian
  Reply With Quote

Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mending the canvas ruthmc General 3 06-22-2009 09:03 AM
How to Clean a Canvas Mat Kristen Hall-Geisler Supplies 5 09-03-2008 12:48 PM
Help buying Katana TronTreez Non-Aikido Martial Traditions 28 03-29-2007 04:17 PM
Canvas Vs. Vinyl Dajo251 General 23 06-21-2006 12:19 PM
I was thinking of buying a Tessen Sam Williams Weapons 4 12-09-2005 06:43 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:59 AM.



vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate