Im only 24, i left school early and started at the age of 15, was taught for 4 years before i even gained the confidence to start fitting with my teacher even though my work at that age was far better than anybody elses on the firm we was at, i dont like to do things if i dont feel i can or i cant do a perfect job of it. I stayed learning for another year before going out by myself with my younger brother, still learn new things everyday, i can do stripes and basic patterns on stairs and landings,rooms etc to all line up. I would like to have a go at some really fancy stuff and learn border work with patterns inside it etc but its not really something the place im at does,and nobody there is good enough id feel confident learning from (they'll teach the bodge way lol) I get a decent rate for carpets £4sqm subbing. My brother has a friend who "learnt" it all in a year and is now out fitting (poorly) but they think their the bees knees and cant be told anyway. If i had a room with a Low rad and i couldnt get the power stretcher under it id power stretch infront of it and kick on with a kicker,if that wasnt possible id stretch onto the opposite wall with the power stretcher, if for some reason that wasnt possible id use a mini stretcher that hooks onto the gripper.Ive not personally come across a room like that in my time so far. and if none of that was possible, id come on here and ask you I still learn something new nearly every day, its just a shame 90% of the fitters out there cant learn the basics
I think that if I was stretching carpet to the extent that you describe with a power stretcher on a solid floor, then I would want to drill and plug the gripper. All adhesives have limitations or breaking points. I also feel that anyone taking up carpet that was power stretched over a small area, and asked to refit, would be faced with a carpet that was short.
Well i do use the power stretcher alot,not because i stretch it an incredible ammount all the time, its not much slower than a kicker and saves my knees. Everyone in America uses them and they have no problems uplifting and replacing etc. You can get them back on with a power stretcher anyway,alot of my work is site work so the only people that pull up carpets are customer care to fix crappy floors. Its a laugh watching them try to fit it back
Flexyfix does do 40 linear metres with a 3mm bead and is more than strong enough for the job. Put the bead down and slide/smudge the gripper into place. Try it, less is more.