Article Number : 4736 |
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| Date | 8/12/2009 8:25:51 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4736 |
| Abstract | “Tools? Professional installers can’t have enough of them,” said Jim Walker, CEO of the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI), when asked how the suppliers are doing in... |
| Article | “Tools? Professional installers can’t have enough of them,” said Jim Walker, CEO of the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI), when asked how the suppliers are doing in helping installers do their jobs more efficiently and professionally. “Since CFI was organized in 1993,” he explained, “a focus has been on the new tools and techniques that make installation better. At the CFI convention, manufacturers speak directly to the members in small sessions for 20 to 30 minutes concerning their products and how they benefit installation. The seminars are always a highlight because it is important to not only provide the best service, but to be on the cutting-edge of methods and tools to improve it.” Walker noted even though there are not as many new tools on the market, which is a direct reflection of the economy, they are still being introduced. “Times will change, and better and improved tools are the professional, quality-minded installer’s dream.” With that, FCNews spoke with some of the industry’s leading installers to find out what some of their favorite tools are and why. Jerry Miller of Miller & Associates in Dalton pointed to Advanced Adhesive Technologies’ (AAT) new adhesives in its Problem Solver line as something that offers installers assistance for one of the toughest situations they face—wet slabs and high alkalinity. “The new Triton series with advanced technology can be used over concrete substrates with up to 10 pounds of MVER, 90% relative humidity, and a max pH of 11. There are four trowel-on adhesives available and three that we apply using the spray system, which is widely used in the commercial marketplace.” Roy Davison of Roy’s Flooring in Chillicothe, Mo., said the SureShot 764 Nailer from Duo-Fast “is a heavy quality tool that provides consistency for large jobs even though it is compact. “I have found it easy to use, lightweight and easy to load. The thing I like best is the versatility to adjust the depth of the drive for the variance in board thickness. This tool makes our job easier to perform.” Jon Namba of Technical Flooring Services in Salt Lake City finds The Magnum Shear from Bullet Tools “to be one of the most innovative tools available for hard surface professionals. It is a portable saw to cut wood flooring that can be moved from floor to floor in the work area. There is no dust created, which protects the environment of the customer and it does not require electricity.” He noted the company’s new Pro-I Series machines have increased power, strength and cutting smoothness. “I can cut a 45-degree angle on standard wood and laminate planks with minimal effort. At 32 pounds, it also weighs less.” Namba said he is also fond of Bullet Tools’ new RCT Resilient and Carpet Tile Magnum Shear, which shears cuts of any soft tile and also cuts carpet tiles easily, even at a diagonal. “With the castor system, it stays parallel to the wall, and the self-measuring wall gauge eliminates hand-measuring of the flooring tile.” When it comes to substrate preparation, Kelly Huddleston of Kelly’s Flooring in La Junta, Colo., said Mapei’s Planiprep FF is his choice. Planiprep FF is a new feathered finish and fiber-reinforced cement-based skim coating and patching compound. What makes this a quality product? “In less than one hour after patching minor surface defects on most substrates, you have a strong, durable, high-compression-strength surface ready for almost any type of floor surface,” he explained. In addition, Huddleston noted Mapei has formed a partnership with the Kraft Tool Co. to provide all types of flooring tools. The company states these will be available in the same type of high performance quality as the Mapei products. “We are looking forward to seeing these on the market.” Danny Sherman of Megs Flooring in Atlanta said, “We use the Bronco by Taylor Tools because it can operate for hours and remove enormous amounts of material. It’s a great tool and the support staff at Taylor is always ready to assist us when we call. The new Variable Drive Control Self-Propelled stripper provides both forward and reverse speed control from zero to 27 feet per minute. The timesaving features that are required for our commercial workroom really make a difference in achieving job completion as scheduled.” To help eliminate face nailing and makes board replacements easier, Leon Harrison, owner of Design in Mind installation workroom in Tucson, Ariz., said his company uses the Kool Glide Instafast System. “We use the Kool Glide over the specified Seam Master Kool Glide Utility tape and it is activated through the board. We put the tape behind the boards after they are positioned in place, activate the tool and no nails are required. We have been using the Kool Glide System for carpet seaming and patterned alignment for several years now with great success.” Michael Hetts of Hetts & Sons of Cranberry Township, Pa., noted when it comes to helping the company deal with the unfinished appearance of a stair installation it uses Instabind by Bond Products. “It is now available in the serge edge in 25 earth tone colors, which is necessary. This product has saved us a great deal of time and money in so many different ways.” Lastly, Alan Ellis of Alan Enterprises in Council Bluffs, Iowa, expressed excitement that the tackstrip manufactured by Traxx is made in the U.S. “and is available in different pin lengths for different types of carpets. It is a full inch wide, which is required to obtain a proper stretch. We have noticed also that the pins and plywood do not bend or break when powerstretching. This is a first-class product that we have needed for some time.” |