Anyone wrapped their yokes in leather?

[Jay Honeck]

We've got a bag full of leather scraps, left over from our new interior job
last fall. I would like to wrap our yokes with it, so that they match the
seats and throttle cover.

Anyone ever done this? I don't want to just wind the stuff around and have
it look like crap in a few months.

Should I use adhesive? Cut it into strips? Try stitching? Is there a
proven technique to follow?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Greg Burkhart]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:hm80c.427286$xy6.2499822@attbi_s02...
> We've got a bag full of leather scraps, left over from our new interior
job
> last fall. I would like to wrap our yokes with it, so that they match the
> seats and throttle cover.
>
> Anyone ever done this? I don't want to just wind the stuff around and
have
> it look like crap in a few months.
>
> Should I use adhesive? Cut it into strips? Try stitching? Is there a
> proven technique to follow?

I have very little experience with this so this advice might be worthless...
;-)

When I was a kid, I used a vinyl strip to wrap the handlebar of my bike with
'decent' results. The trick was to keep it TIGHT and stretched while doing
it and it lasted and looked good for years. I realize that leather is quite
a bit different than vinyl and the results may not come out the same.

There used to be steering wheel covers that would slip over the wheel and
then a lace was wrapped around which looked good and worked for a few months
then looked like crap.

Another option is to check how golf club grips are installed, not the ones
that are tubes, but the wrapped style. You may find some information at your
local golf pro shop.

Keep us informed as to how you decide to do it, how well it works, how hard
(or easy?) it is to do and how well it lasts...

[Dave Stadt]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:hm80c.427286$xy6.2499822@attbi_s02...
> We've got a bag full of leather scraps, left over from our new interior
job
> last fall. I would like to wrap our yokes with it, so that they match the
> seats and throttle cover.
>
> Anyone ever done this? I don't want to just wind the stuff around and
have
> it look like crap in a few months.
>
> Should I use adhesive? Cut it into strips? Try stitching? Is there a
> proven technique to follow?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"


I did mine and they turned out excellent. They are laced with the leather
lacing (you could use another type of lacing but I wanted the added grip
from a somewhat bulky leather lacing) on the back side which gives a smooth
look from the sitting position but the lacing on the back gives a good grip.
I only covered the part of each yoke that you normally hold during flight.
I wet the leather, stretched it tight around the yoke, cut it to fit and
punched holes for the lacing. I then laced them on while still wet and
after 5 years they are as tight as the day they were done. Tandy makes a
dressing that seals the leather and prevents it from getting discolored
during those sweaty max effort landings.

[Jay Honeck]

> I only covered the part of each yoke that you normally hold during flight.
> I wet the leather, stretched it tight around the yoke, cut it to fit and
> punched holes for the lacing.

Thanks for the tip, Dave.

Could you point me to a picture of your installation?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Blanche]

I know that a completely wrapped yoke may look better, but I took
the simple approach. Two pieces of suede about 5x3 in. Friend with
a professional sewing machine sewed velcro on (each type on the ends).

So one side looks like this
-------------------
|o |
|o |
|o |
-------------------

And the other side looks like
-------------------
| +|
| +|
| +|
-------------------

They wrap perfectly around the yoke (cherokee 180). And if I want
to change colors or something, comes off with no effort. The suede
forms perfectly to the finger bumps on the yoke.
I chose black because it matches the yoke.

[S Green]

"Blanche" > wrote in message
...
> I know that a completely wrapped yoke may look better, but I took
> the simple approach. Two pieces of suede about 5x3 in. Friend with
> a professional sewing machine sewed velcro on (each type on the ends).
>
> So one side looks like this
> -------------------
> |o |
> |o |
> |o |
> -------------------
>
> And the other side looks like
> -------------------
> | +|
> | +|
> | +|
> -------------------
>
> They wrap perfectly around the yoke (cherokee 180). And if I want
> to change colors or something, comes off with no effort. The suede
> forms perfectly to the finger bumps on the yoke.
> I chose black because it matches the yoke.
>
If you want the feel of leather wear gloves. My dad ex airforce always
advises gloves just in case things get "hot" in the cockpit.

[Blanche]

Jay Honeck > wrote:
>I like the velcro idea, but I worry about it being too loose.
>
>Does the leather ever rotate on you?

I didn't measure the yoke handles properly and the velcro isn't
as exactly sewn on as I'd like (that will be fixed with the
next version) so once in a while, yes, it rotates a little. But
because it's conformed to the yoke by now, it's not
a problem. I used the "stick on" velcro to position and check
on the yoke, then used a professional sewing machine (leather,
suede, shoes) to sew it on permanently. Unfortunately I
didn't think about the suede stretching. Next version.

I just measured the "unused" set and the distance between
the velcro edges is 2.8 in. For the next version I think
I'll make it 2.5 to 2.6 inches and have 2 people involved.
One to hold the yoke so it doesn't move and one to wrap
the yoke.

Come to think of it, even wrapping with the thong, you'll
probably need 2 people.

My big problem right now is the flap
handle! The rubber "grab" handle isn't glued/attached properly
and *that* often rotates!

The advantage of the suede scraps is that it's really the
prototype for whatever you want to do. Cheap, easy, and you can
adjust, play, etc until you get it exactly the way you want.
Then if you prefer leather, the pattern is ready to go.

Personally I like the suede better. It's a bit thicker than
leather, slightly rougher so your hand doesn't slip when you
start to sweat.

[Mike Rapoport]

If you are going to wrap a strip around the yoke, you should try leather
made to cover bicycle handlebars since it has beveled edges and will be flat
where it overlaps.

These two places cover yokes with leather:

http://www.aviationdesign.com/mailorder.html

http://www.bitchin-stitchin.com/yokespip.htm

If you try to do it yourself, you might experiment with soaking the leather
in water, stretching it and then put it on. It will shrink tight as it
dries.


Mike
MU-2


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:hm80c.427286$xy6.2499822@attbi_s02...
> We've got a bag full of leather scraps, left over from our new interior
job
> last fall. I would like to wrap our yokes with it, so that they match the
> seats and throttle cover.
>
> Anyone ever done this? I don't want to just wind the stuff around and
have
> it look like crap in a few months.
>
> Should I use adhesive? Cut it into strips? Try stitching? Is there a
> proven technique to follow?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> If you try to do it yourself, you might experiment with soaking the
leather
> in water, stretching it and then put it on. It will shrink tight as it
> dries.

Thanks, Mike. Someday, when the weather warms up around here (it was 60
degrees here earlier today -- just a ten days after being below zero)
consistently, I'm going to tinker with this.

I've got LOTS of leather scraps to screw up! :-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[John Galban]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<arm0c.7476$PR3.140201@attbi_s03>...
> Thanks, Blanche.
>
> I like the velcro idea, but I worry about it being too loose.
>
> Does the leather ever rotate on you?

I have those expensive leather yoke covers (Warren Gregoire?) on my
Cherokee. They attach with velcro. The trick is to attach them
tightly, then let them stretch for a few days. Then, you just re-snug
the velcro. The second time does the trick. Mine have conformed
themselves to the bumps and bends on the yoke and do not move around
at all.

John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)

[Jay Honeck]

> I have those expensive leather yoke covers (Warren Gregoire?) on my
> Cherokee. They attach with velcro. The trick is to attach them
> tightly, then let them stretch for a few days. Then, you just re-snug
> the velcro. The second time does the trick. Mine have conformed
> themselves to the bumps and bends on the yoke and do not move around
> at all.

Hey John -- do you have a picture of your yoke cover(s)?

Are those the kind that cover only the upright rams-horn handle portion, or
do they cover the whole yoke?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[John Galban]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<hM41c.28383$PR3.505762@attbi_s03>...
>
> Hey John -- do you have a picture of your yoke cover(s)?
>
> Are those the kind that cover only the upright rams-horn handle portion, or
> do they cover the whole yoke?

Sorry, I have no pic. They cover from the upright part of the
rams-horn, down to the badge in the center of the yoke. Velcro joins
on the outside of the upright part of the yoke, and the bottom side of
the horizontal part. See the before/after pics from the manufacturer
here :

http://www.warrengregoire.com/aviation-leathercontrolyokecovers.htm

Scroll down to the Piper Rams Horn.

They used glue to attach the velcro to the leather cover. In my
case, their glue couldn't stand up to the ramp temps during a PHX
summer, so I had to re-glue them with a high-temp epoxy. They really
should sew the velcro on. Now that they're on, I really like the
covers (very soft lambskin), but I don't think I'd pay $120/yoke for
them. I got them as a present.



John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)

[Doug]

I remember seeing steering wheel "leather wrap kits" at auto parts
stores. Maybe one of those would work.

[Jay Honeck]

> They used glue to attach the velcro to the leather cover. In my
> case, their glue couldn't stand up to the ramp temps during a PHX
> summer, so I had to re-glue them with a high-temp epoxy. They really
> should sew the velcro on. Now that they're on, I really like the
> covers (very soft lambskin), but I don't think I'd pay $120/yoke for
> them. I got them as a present.

$120 per YOKE? That's insane.

Especially when you see that they don't cover the whole yoke, but just where
your hands rest. I like the way they did the Aerostar yokes, where they're
covered completely in leather.

Oh well, I've got lots of leather to play with. I just wish I had a yoke to
take home and work on!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"