KNEE KICKER VS POWER STRETCHER
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2017
- this video gives a demonstration and explains the differences between a knee kicker and a power stretcher
www.thefloorsbysouthernboys.com/
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Here are links to a few of the tools used in this video!
power stretchers
amzn.to/2Em0sUG
knee kicker
amzn.to/2TYp2jW
updated version of my carpet trimmer
amzn.to/2U31Xg6
stair tool/packer
amzn.to/2XgIvyl
carpet knife
amzn.to/2GW170P - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I was originally planning on cheaping out and just using a kicker. Thanks for posting this video!!!
korelinlakes You’re welcome
I've always said let the stretcher do the work . I also will use the stretcher for small hallways and small closets . Thanks for sharing.
CarpetMan I couldn't agree more about letting the stretchers do the work
Installing some wall-to-wall carpet in my house working on the living room was going to use the kicker method but you convinced me to go rent a power structure thank you for the detailed and an actual comparison with the actual difference between the two methods nice work by the way
😀👍awesome
excellent demostration thank you
Francisco Navas Thank you sir and thank you for watching
i always enjoy watching how people do things differently, always cool to watch.
brad williams Thanks for stopping by the channel
Another great video - your awesome videos are getting me through this first carpet job with more confidence and way fewer mistakes. Thanks again, brother!!
Awesome
Thank you for this. Very well explained.
Thank you I appreciate that, I’m glad it helped
Thanks. Very informative.
Awesome,you’re welcome
Thanks!
Great video! Answered my question
That’s awesome
what was the question though?
Wow! We are having all of our carpeting replaced this coming Tuesday and Wednesday by Flooring America. I HOPE they use this method! What a huge difference and will clearly cause less damage!!! Impressive!
Yes your carpet will not last if they do not power stretch it, I would definitely insist on them power stretching
Will do, thanks!
@@audnbob1 👍
In Ireland it’s all knee kicking. I have worked in New Zealand where it was all Power Stretching. It was my first time using Power Stretching. My Lord , it’s like night and day ! Knee kicking is so hard on the body , plus it’s not pulling from the other wall really. If someone stands on the back wall you can feel the Power Stretcher working under foot . Absolutely amazing tool 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
Thank-You Sir...very informative. Kicker looks very rough on body.
markgevin17 It definitely is rough on the body, thank you for watching
great Vid Rubin !! I carry 2 jr stretchers and have a senior with 10 pipes Iwill always stretch be for kicking !! i do mostly do high end jobs and with todays backing you will never move anything with a kicker 40 yrs in this business and counting
Dale Mitchell Congrats buddy 40 years is a long time
I worked for guys and all we did was kicker only then I was introduced to a power stretcher and its all we use. But with that being said I was on the kicker for 4 years soft back water proof back wool installed it all with no call backs. If you kick proper and prep works proper you can get it tight enough to never bubble.
I'm short two inches with my carpet I want to refit in another room, do you reckon the power stretcher could get me there ?
Awesome brother! Thanks for the video short, simple, sweet. Wow all these years and I never knew that the kicker does that to the backing of a carpet and the difference in the stretch from the kicker to the power stretcher with such little effort. This is what people think that your cranking the hell out of the power stretcher but obviously that not the case thanks again I look forward to your next video. P.s if I have any ideas I'll let you know.
sausage man yes it's real simple to push the handle down on the stretchers much easier than kicking and thanks for the idea of this video
FloorsbySouthernboys you seem to make using the power look effortless!! I was wondering if you could do a video on tips and tricks on how you use a power stretcher. Plus when i get mine it will help me out, thanks alot for these videos really helpful.
sausage man yep I sure will just as soon as I get the opportunity glad to hear that you're getting a set of stretchers
FloorsbySouthernboys great looking forward to it. After watching the way you fly round a room and stretch the carpet tight with such little effort it's a no brainer really, I know it's a expensive tool but if I don't buy one now I'll probably suffer in the long run and buy then it'll be to late. I can't wait to get one ordered!!
I honestly can't believe it is a topic of discussion. If you have any pride in your work just use a stretcher!!! I'm truly amazed at the stores and installers that think it's ok to kick in a entire room.
I like it
😀👍
I'd love to see this done against the spike .All the guys I work with claim it's as good as a stretcher but yet they have to go restrech the carpet 1 ta 3 years later.Plus the holes it's poking in the back of the carpet.
Nice work great videos.
I have a spike specifically for making videos with even though I never have been kind of scared to show it due to people starting to use it because of my video. It is still brand new in the box never been used. It will get a good stretch, because it basically works with the stretch your head, but it does gouge big holes in the carpet
@Floors by Southern boys I understand what your saying .
But the facts don't lie here it seems like it gets a good stretch we do alot of 2500 ta 3000 plus Sq foot rooms and 2 crews run them .Almost every other job has to be redone.
In small areas or rooms ya probably fine.
It seems like it's tight but it does not pull threw the room .it does about 20 per cent more than the knee kicker.
When it's pushing forward and the spike digs in its stretching in front and on the sides but not behind the spike .
Your rite probably better to keep that thing off the Net .
Great work man I just told my helper today go study this guys videos and keep keep working for me and you will be great
Love your video, it was great. Couple questions: 1. can you use the stretcher on a staircase. 2. what brand stretcher would you recommend?
JuggernautUSAdotcom Huron No you cannot use a stretcher on a staircase, you have to use the kicker, and if you’re in the trade for the long-haul I would go with a crain Stretcher, if you just do it here in there or if you’re not planning to do it very long I would go with the Roberts
Just curious how would you go about stretching a large room 26x26 the stretcher I rented doesn't reach
foxrunner2099 You can take a 2 x 6 or a 2 x 8 and lay it down lengthways have one end on your wall and one end On the end of your stretcher and use the board sort of like an extension, however you might have to have someone stand on the board while you are stretching to keep it in the right alignment , Also you might want to put a board against the wall that you’re pushing off of to protect it, so this will require two boards in the shape of a T, one flat on the wall and then one lined up with your stretchers
Hey man where's the videos!!? Just put them up I enjoy watching them what ever they are.
sausage man I've had a lot of jobs lately with customers so depending on the customer sometimes I won't ask them about making a video in their home you can just kind of feel when you can and can't so I've just not had the right customers lately but I'll be getting some before long
FloorsbySouthernboys haha no probs, maybe put video up of your appinion of what a properly fitted carpet should look like? that would be cool,Look forward to your next vid.
Power stretcher also seems a lot better for your knees. I imagine the knee kicker really degrades you knees and leg bones over time if you install a lot of carpet. I mean you are getting a better workout for sure and probably build it up to a degree but after years and years it eventually becomes wear and tear.
RecklessTheory You’re exactly right buddy
@@garyb3689 Yes sir I believe that for sure
@@FloorsbySouthernboys I am a bit late to the party but being an English carpet fitter you know we all use knee kickers and i have been at it for 30 plus year and i feel kicking has hurt my hips the most so looking at using one of these power stretchers , will be a learning curve ill expect and a few funny looks from the other fitter haha .Love your videos Rubin .
These tools a brilliant. I never can remember my old man using these tools. How long have they been in operation?
1970's to 1980's old man used to fit is own carpet. How things have moved on.
But the power stretcher is much better. But it's a heavy tool
Dan wood I’m not sure how long they have been around, they are heavier but they are definitely worth using, thank you for watching
I started in 1967 an we used a polestretcher for stretching everyday!!
@@FloorsbySouthernboys my Dad used a pole back in the 50s!!
If the room is 10 ft, should you still power stretch it like in your video. I understand it's better but my dad doesn't power stretch little rooms just long stretches and big rooms. Is that okay?
Yes sir every room shouldn’t be power stretched, should be
Good demonstration on why a power stretcher should always be used. In my opinion, a kicker is for steps or positioning the carpet. A knee kicker is a chiropractor's nightmare.
Fred Wiedlich I agree, thank you for watching and for your feedback
I've got two questions were did you get your power stretcher from and could you do a video of how to cut a carpet and vinyl in free hand I know the carpet tool is a time saver but for people that don't own on thanks guys love the videos gives me loads of points and tips helps me in my flooring profession :)
mikes life I ordered my stretchers from Crain carpet tools I've had them forever about time for some new ones and as far as freehanding carpet the only carpet I can freehand with my knife is going to be a commercial carpet if you try to free him stretching carpet you're more than likely going to cut the baseboard or mark it up so I don't even attempt that I can do a video on how to freehand vinyl cuz you kept that the same way you do AZ commercial carpet so I can do that
mikes life I'm not sure where you get your carpet supplies at but any Carpet Supply Warehouse we'll have catalogs that you can order tools from so if you're interested in ordering some you can definitely go look through the catalogs at your supply warehouses or just look online either way again mine is it crane which they're really durable I've had them for 21 years now so they really hold up
Like your videos. How long have you been laying carpet and how many yards a day can you stretch?
Tom S Thank you I have been installing for 26 years and I don’t know how many yards we could stretch in a day we have done 274 yards of Berber With steps before in a day
Power stretcher ftw. I always use a stretcher on hallways , closets or even bedrooms that are 12x12 or less . That's how professionals get the job done right
Exactly
Can use the power stretcher in halls take that pin out wrap a 2x4 with carpet cut it down to doorway size and put it in door ways and against walls butter. Its what my uncle is teaching me atleaat I'm new to the power stretcher
yeah i thought a kicker would eventually beat up your knee. that's a good idea to just move the stretcher all along. i had thought you're supposed to use both the stretcher and the kicker. once the stretcher holds it, you kick it into place, but i guess just moving the stretcher works in place of the kicker.
Yes sir I rarely even use a kicker at all anymore for any installations
Thank you for your videos. For a diy do you have any suggestions on how to buy carpet? I'm guessing professionals like yourself don't go to Home Depot or Lowes.
NeverlandEP Your best bet would be To try toFind a family owned business say mom and pop store that’s where you’ll get your best deal for your money
Much Appreciated!
I'm new to carpeting and while shopping for a customer I'm realizing the depleted stock and they are not restocking... your opinion take on this?
Because of Covid lots of manufactures are running behind and lots of products are not able to be gotten at this time
If u have a basement 28'*30' how can u use the power stretcher? !
Mohammad Juma If you don’t have enough stretcher polls you can lay a 2 x 6 down lengthways and stretch off the 2 x 6 it will probably takeTwo people to do this because when you stretch where are your tail piece meets the 2 x 6 it will try to Spring out to one side if your Stretcher polls are not in perfect alignment with the 2 x 6 you are stretching off of the 2 x 6 will work as an extension to your stretchers
Wow that's very smart sir . I'm sure at will work . I will try it tomorrow. Thanks big time .
Mohammad Juma It would definitely work I have done it many times myself
@@FloorsbySouthernboys We had a job once that was 60x65, they didnt want a double glue down install, we ended up going to a muffler shop and got pipe and had them expand one end so we could put them together....worked like a charm.
k smith I have nailed a board down through the carpet to the floor and stretched big rooms both directions before
Do you place you knee knicker on the top of the track strip to hook up the carpet. Or what will you recommend to hook up the carper perfectly before power stretching??
Rivas Misael I will usually bump it up just a little bit with my knee kicker just enough to make the carpet stick on the tax strip and then power stretch
@@FloorsbySouthernboys perfect I seen many installer who recommended to kick right on the top of the tax trip and leave 1/2 inch of space from the wall to stick the carpet on the strip
@@FloorsbySouthernboys your recommendation it's perfect for me as I'm getting a lot more residential work which I have little of knowledge and your videos had helped me a lot
Rivas Misael Well that’s good, keep up the good work
Crikey, even when you show people to see with their own eyes the benefits of a pole stretcher over a knee kicker, still they won't accept. Apart from anything else, it's common sense. But then i guess common sense isn't that common anymore. It's like turkeys voting for christmas! I agree with Dewan though, that the teeth were too far out on your kicker Reuben. I've got an Orcon Magnum (probably the most powerful kicker in the world :-)) and it doesn't cause that damage to the backing. However, you've convinced me on the PS. I can't wait for a Crain 520 to find it's way over to Blighty so I can start doing the job properly and drastically reduce the amount I use the kicker.
Prime Flooring that’s awesome
The pole is the best way to go!!!
Fred Towns completely agree
Do you lay the whole carpet with a stretcher or do you have to start with a kicker?
Daniel Rodriguez I’m just simply fastened the carpet to the tack strip at the beginning with the kicker, but I did stretch the whole room with a power stretcher, however I do think it is a necessity to have both tools when you’re doing carpet, I hope that helps thank you for watching
@@FloorsbySouthernboys thank you
Daniel Rodriguez Yes sir, anytime
how often do you need to get your knees replaced? Not worth the price!
Yeah. But what would be the price difference between the two though... ..?
Curt Williams The price difference is most definitely to the installers advantage, because he’s not gonna get callbacks and he’s going to get referrals because the job is done right and it’s going to stay flat for a long time, so I would say tens of thousands of dollars To the advantage of the installer, otherwise I power stretcher will run you about $600, and it’s been too long I don’t know how much a kicker cost I think about probably 80 to 150 bucks, can’t remember
Great video! I just installed my first (small 10x12) room. Used knee kicker and may go back later to tighten up with a power stretcher (when I do the rest of the upstairs). Question: Does carpet quality make a difference? I installed Shaw sandy hollow 3...very thick, plush, and strong backing material that didn’t seem very stretchable. It laid down very nice and I couldn’t get it to kink if I tried. Should I still be concerned about slack down the line?...or does a higher carpet quality maybe reduce the need for - or benefits of - a power stretcher?
Any grade of carpet needs to be power stretched, you will have problems down the line, a knee kicker is not intended for stretching, it is made for Positioning the carpet
@ 1:39 Think fast camera guy :)
This Space For Rent Yeah i know right, That was my bad
Great when you have a square room 😂
Carpet layers make up less than 0.06% of the U.S. workforce, but they file 6.2% of all workers’ compensation claims for traumatic knee injury-a rate that is 108 times that expected in the total workforce and the highest rate of any occupation reporting such claims [Tanaka et al. 1982].
Trogdor Burninator I can’t believe it is also in the top 10 list of OSHA‘s ranking of being the most physical hardest job In the workforce
NOW THIS IS A REAL INSTALLER
Chan Cleveland Ha ha ha thank you sir
A kicker is not a stretcher. If you kick a room you are a hack
I own and use a true power stretcher like yours but I never use it. It’s the only powers stretcher technically considered “power stretcher” by manufacturers.
I also have a crab stretcher and a knee less stretcher.
I get a better stretch out of my knee less stretcher than my true power stretcher and if I’m dealing with a 40’ hall or 40’+ square room I use the crab stretcher.
And it’s soooooo much faster
I would suggest your teeth are set way too deep on your carpet positioning tool. I've positioned a lot of wrinkle free carpet without a power stretcher in my time. Get some knee pads too..... I wear proknees from the minute I walk in the door till I get in my van to leave. I install and kick steps and everything with them on. It was a tough adjustment but I have zero leg pain now and its like theyre not even there.My wide says my knees look normal again. The two greatest tricks I've learned in last 10 years are "pinch & go" and proknees. 31 years.
Dewan Thornberry OK thank you for sharing
I would add that you need a professional grade kicker. It’s heavier, has a wider head, and a better knee cushion.
Jordan Oconnel Thanks for watching and for your comment
Kickers are knee assassins..... I have a friend who has installed carpet for 40 years.... He never uses a kicker except for special reasons... He has no debilitating knee problems which is common for carpet installers.... power stretchers are the best and Im not an expert....
You are absolutely correct
Be ware of super store installers most use a kicker 80.00 for kicker 600.00 for stretcher wrinkles to come after payment be ware
Kevin Kotchevar 😀👍
Я один смотрю его из России ?
Sorry my phone won’t translate that
HAS ANYBODY INVENTED AN ELECTRIC POWER STRETCHER BECAUSE IF YOU CONTINUE USING A KNEE KICKER YOU GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A KNEE REPLACEMENT AND KNEE KICKER IS NOT GOOD FOR ANYBODY PHYSICALLY HANDLING TO PUT DOWN CARPET SOMEBODY NEEDS TO INVENT ONE THAT'S ELECTRIC
this is why my knees ,elbows, wrists kill me at 54 . can you say carpel tunnel surgery , monkey knuckles , no cartiledge in my joints. flat fold and carry a 12x75 from the alley to the elevator and then up to 14th floor then down to the 12th floor because there is no 13 th floor at cable car clothiers in SF back in the day. CCP carpets
David Heilmann I feel you buddy, it’s a hard trade
David Heilmann so sorry to hear that i see it alot of work
Good video but gross colour carpet lol
Hoshm 😁👍
Its painful watching just how much misinformation you are sharing. You dont pin your knee kicks when it should be pinned, you have zero comprehension on what the powerstretcher is really doing or to what tension you are looking for and you are starting your room from the wrong spot. Always start from your doorway. Its just really painful to watch how little most layers (not just you) dont actually comprehend what it is you are doing and why you are doing it.
Airbrush Effect 😂😂Thank you