I got my genuine leather seat upholstery from Classtique Upholstery for my 1910 T, and I'm planning on installing it on my seat frames but don't know the best way of compressing the springs. Does anyone out there have a good method for compressing the springs in order to get a tight fit? These are brand new upholstery springs and are rather stiff. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I recently did a seat cushion on my 21 touring. I compressed the springs with a series of Kwick grip clamps and tied them down with plastic zip ties, then readjusted the ties to get them all equal. After installing the cover, just cut the ties.
John

Bill when I bought the Touring kit my 21 T they had some instructions about how to compress the seat springs. They also have a video on their website showing how to do it.

Maybe the earlier T's seat frames are different than the
earlier ones Their method worked for me. If you didn't get any instructions I definitely would ask for some since you bought your material from them.

Classtique has information on their web sight on fabricating a compressor. I made one relatively cheap and worked really well.

John S that's about the way I did mine also.

Bill, once the padding was attached to the spring, I placed the cover on a padded work table (inside facing up). Cut 2 - 2x4's longer than your spring. Drill 2 - 3-1/2" long holes thru each of the 2x4's to accept the threaded rod. Drill receiving holes in your work table as well. Lay the 2x4's across the bottom of your spring. Use 3/8 threaded rod(plus nuts & washers)to draw the 2x4's tight to the spring bottom compressing your spring. I was able to get a nice tight installation using this method. I believe Classtique suggested this method. Hope this helps.

Great ideas fella's - thanks!

If your seat cushion is somewhat like my '13, and I know it most likely isn't, you will have to compress the spring and upholstery using a 3/4" piece of plywood. You most likely will have to do it in steps. The bottom piece of leather is sewn to the front skirt. After that, the two sides and back are hand sewn to the skirt by hand with a curved needle.

Bill-
Is the outside frame of your seat cushion made out of bent laminated wood?

Kind of like this cushion from John G?

This is what I did.

Do the seat backs need to be compressed too? My seat bottoms are done, but not the backs.

Keith, yes, my frame is made of steam bent wood. I had a rear original that I used as a pattern and had the front frame made by Whitmore Coach of Pennsylvania. James, I like your simple method; how did you attach the hooks on your straps to the saw horse - eye bolts?

Bill-
Are there any body irons that you need to make notches in the wood for them to fit around?

It looks like the straps in James' picture hook together and go between the sawhorse legs.

Please take pictures along the way.

Keith, I do have the cut-outs in the frame for the body irons; you just can't see them in the photo. Yes, I'll be sure to post some photos when I get around to doing it, unless it turns out crappy then I'll just quietly disappear!