2/28/2008
10:03:22 PM 

After you powerstretch a job and trim it in, wait for about one month and then go back and pull the carpet off the tacks along one wall and wait oh 5 days and see what happens.

Tell us, what do you think will happen and why?

2/29/2008
12:17:56 PM 

I'm pretty sure you would have some arguments with this.

When I did install, I could feel the stress against the handle and the tension.... I could feel the kicker "stop" as well.
The sound of the back of the carpet as well as the tension felt with the power stretched gave me lots of information...

So I really don't know where you are coming from with this statement about knee kicking.
IT's all about what you are "in tune" with.
You are obviously in tune with the kicker..

x

2/29/2008
4:53:43 PM 

I think you also need to know the history of the backings to understand the change from kicking to powerstretching. Why, because the backing is the most important part of the stretch you need to understand when it comes to the stretch. Back in the 50's and early 60's woven is what was being put in the most and powerstretching is how it was done. Then tufted carpet came in and the backing was Jute with almost pure latex, ( you could kick and even water the backing drum tight and it would be ok ) then came poly backing 5 and 6 pick with less latex and more filler, now we have picks from 5 to 20 on the backing and the installer needs to understand each.What I tell installers is to bend the carpet and if it bends easy it should stretch more but if it does not bend easy it will stertch harder. 'Note' you need to check in many of place's for the latex and filler can change thruout the same roll.
As far as the strecth between kicker and the powerstretcher you need to know the art of stretching first.With the Kicker you could close your eye's and fell the stretch in your hands and arms along with your legs as you are stretching and if there is any change in the make up of the backing you might of missed you will be able to feel it. Now with the powerstretcher you again could close your eye's and feel the stretch in your hand and arm as the handle come's down. I could go into how the filler in the backing has alot to do with how going back later will tell you lots but I need to do some things with my children.

FD

2/29/2008
6:18:05 PM 

quote:

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I'm pretty sure you would have some arguments with this.

When I did install, I could feel the stress against the handle and the tension.... I could feel the kicker "stop" as well.
The sound of the back of the carpet as well as the tension felt with the power stretched gave me lots of information...

So I really don't know where you are coming from with this statement about knee kicking.
IT's all about what you are "in tune" with.
You are obviously in tune with the kicker..

x

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3/1/2008
8:29:12 PM 

quote:

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Ray, put the handle for the stretcher, at it's highest position and try to push down on the handle, in the width, while the carpet has quite a lot of fillers and tell us what you see, hear and feel.

Then lower the handle half way and do the same. What do you feel?

Then

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3/1/2008
10:51:25 PM 

quote:

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We have talked about kicking in rythm and as it looks like Jim call's it brittle bond in the backing. I talked in my post above about feeling the stretch but I did not see anyone come back with what matter's the most when it come's to the stretch. Yes, knowing your backing and being able to see and tell how much latex and filler's are important but there are things that are more important.
The CRI 104 and the 105 tell you you need to get 1 to 1 1/2% in lengh and width I do not agree with that completly. They had to come up with some type of amount to where the stretch would start causing damage to the backing and in the ideal setting that is about the amount. We all know that it is not always that way.That is where feeling and listening come in to play. I feel that it could only be 3/4 % in some case's that damage started.
The main thing that needs to be taught is that you always need to keep and even stretch in all direction, once you deside the amount of stretch then you keep that same stretch both in lenght and width even if it mean's less percentage one way or the other ( that again is when the backing construction come's into play)
Example's are, what are the main things in carpet, Fiber, plastic and latex with filler so let's take fiber first that your blanket and go make your bed ( I know your wife will pass out ) tuck in the bottom and pull it up and tuck it in the top now you will have crease's running the lenght so for you to get them out you need to tuck in one of the sides and stretch it even to the other side if you pull to much you will have wrinkes going the other direction. Know let's look at the plastic, get a cake pan or bowl a 8x13 inch's will do. There again wrap one side stretch the lenght or width first tuck that and then stretch the other way and if you do not get an even stretch you will have wrinkes.Know take a hand towel and glue some plastic to the back side of it and do it again over a cake pan and you will see that it still take's an even stretch. You say what is your point. you need to understand all this to make sure your carpet stay's stretch for a long time. I have seen to many time's even with a powerstretcher carpet wrinkle because he did not get an even stretch. There again that is where the feel come's in, you learn it or you will always have issue's.

FD

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