indyz 1 #1 January 8, 2005 As you can tell from the attached pictures the damage is mostly on the panel between the tabs on each side and in an inch-long section on each of the chest zippers. It looks like the fabric was pulled perpendicular to the seams. I'm thinking this may have happened if the suit was accidentally hooked up with the harness laced in a tab or two lower than it should have been. When I deployed the harness would have slid up and put tension on the seams. Has anybody seen this before? I've done a half-dozen jumps since I noticed the damage it hasn't worsened noticeably, so I'm not worried about jumping with it. I'm mostly interested in repair costs and/or how it would affect the value of the suit, as I am planning on selling it and I can't really afford to have it repaired first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #2 January 8, 2005 I see a lot of damage to our demo fleet and the tearing along side the zipper is usually caused when the suit is too snug, usually accross the chest and stomach region. People force the zippers closed anyways and the fabric starts to break down,eventually it tears. The tearing in between the tabs is not as common but it is a result of the same thing, someone wearing a suit that is too tight and stressing the materials. Improper rigging will hasten this as well. How old is your suit?from the looks of the material in the pics it appears to have been used quite a bit."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #3 January 8, 2005 I'm not sure how many jumps it has on it. I'm sure the seller told me when I bought it, but I can't remember. Probably a few hundred jumps at most. I think it might look more beat-up than it really is because I adjusted the brightness levels to make the damage show up better, and white jumpsuits, in my experience, then to look grubbier sooner than other colors. It is quite snug across my gut, but no more than my slick RW suit which has lasted 300+ jumps with zero damage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #4 January 8, 2005 OK, the color adjustment did make it look quite a bit different.Not being able to see the suit or it on you, I can only assume that it is too small for you in those specific areas. I tend to think this is the case since you stated the tears do not seem to be getting worse. A picture with you in the suit with rig would give me a better idea as to what the problem may or may not be. If you have a BMI close to you have them look at the suit and they should be able to square you away."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #5 January 8, 2005 The simplest repair involves laying a 1.5 or 2 inch tape along the inside of the damage and resewing along the existing rows of stitching. Most FAA Senior Riggers can do that with E-Thread. That should take less than an hour. That is just a quick guess. I would have to see the suit to give an accurate estimate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #6 January 8, 2005 Would the rigger have to first open the wing up to get to the inside, then sew it closed after repair? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #7 January 8, 2005 Quote Would the rigger have to first open the wing up to get to the inside, then sew it closed after repair? From what I could discern in the pictures, those repairs are all along a seam, not a wing, and should only require that the seam be picked, new material added and re-sewn."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #8 January 8, 2005 I wasn't sure if the damaged seams are body side or wing side. Am I mistaken ( happens from time to time ) or are you jumping while deployed? Do you got a little BM booth set up, hoping for some sales? I bet at the very least you could sell a few beenies. But you sell a GTi or four to some local friendlies and you would be the man! Of course get some pics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #9 January 8, 2005 Lets just say sales are slow over here as the client base is new to the skydiving market, but that doesn't keep me from getting mine"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
