no different to a kicker. As its slow movement it dont rely on grabbing the tufts with cotton heads so no damage to carpet either. Knee kicker damages most carpets its used on.
biggest excuse i hear from fitters up by me for not having one is that their too expensive to buy! If its a tool thats required, then it justifies itself straight away
just to add, did you all realize that all 'action backed' , 'low back' , 'wall paper stripper' backed carpets are supposed to be power stretched no matter how large the area? Reason being is you cant get the correct amount of stretch on them with a kicker as they will simply rip first. This type of backing has to be power stretched to get the correct amount of stretch. If only the British Public was as understanding and wanting a job done correctly like the Americans do. We need to educate the public with the correct methods of installing carpet that some how us British have managed to shove into a DIY / anyone can do job. If only we had a forum to tell people ....................... .... .....
easy way to tell if a cpt hasnt been powered.. that little ridge in front of the gripper that acts like a trampoline lol pet hate!!
Problem is as far as I can tell its the trade that doesn't wildly use power stretchers. I wouldn't even know how to use 1.
Ahhh, BUT.... It is possible not to get that little ridge. Using the power stretcher eliminates it simply because there is plenty of stretch to take up the slack. The little ridge is normally caused (including lack of stretch) by tucking the carpet. When the carpet is tucked it lifts off the front pins of the gripper and arches backwards. The stretch (power stretcher) stops this as there is 'correct' tension there to start with. However if you use your hand as a weight while stretching on the gripper you 'should' eliminate the little ridge as you hold the carpet on the first row of pins as you tuck. Basically you dont rely on the stretch to hold it flat if that makes sense? Not that im anti "power stretcher" or anything as they are the best way of stretching a carpet.
That's the way I do it, always put one hand behind the other holding it on the gripper as I tuck. I never get restretch's either, but I'm trying to extend my career by taking the serious effort out of getting enough tension in a carpet with a kicker. Like you say after fitting a sandpaper backing carpet Im fecked.
Im not happy if I get that on a carpet. I make sure all edges are flat on the gripper, like Matt says always hold the carpet on the gripper when it's being tucked in.
would any of you be interested in a 1 day power stretching course? get to see it used the correct way and have a go your selves? our new training center has a dedicated bay built for power stretching (18 sq'm ) training bay.
Thinking about this. I will look at making this into a demo at the new training centers open day. That way it will be FREE for you all to see rather than a paid course. However it will be a short demo and wont be able to do a 'hands on' as such due to time. If we have enough interest we will run a course at a latter date NOTE TO MYSELF, STOP DOING THINGS FREE
I also have and use a power stretcher........not on every job but it is always in the van if I need it. Particularly on those large carpets that have been folded to get them up a staircase or just to get them in the van etc.
When using power stretcher there is no shock or sudden presure applied to a small area so less chance of damage. You can feel how much tension is being applied And the customers think you no what your doing
I've been a fitter for 6 years and work for my dad and his power stretcher has been collecting dust for all that time. My grandfather on the other hand regularly power stretched carpets. I can usually get a good stretch when using a kicker but I might look into power stretching if this is deemed the correct way to stretch by British standards. I do like to do things properly lol. Does anyone charge more for the extra time it takes ?
