Sr. Power Stretcher

[kwfloors]

Here is a Sr. power stretcher that ends in a day for cheap.
ROBERTS MODEL SENIOR CARPET STRETCHER - eBay (item 380130445289 end time Jun-15-09 14:18:16 PDT)
You can still get tubes for this, the best I've found is from toolsforfloors.com.

[TFP Admin]

Wow, that's just down the road a piece from me (well, about 70 some miles down the road). That thing looks like it's had a bit of use.

Jim

[BrianM]

I think it's saying something about how much commercial stretch carpet work is out there right now that there's no bid for a $50 starting price on this tool. This one is an older model and has been well used but there's nothing I see besides being short of poles that doesn't make this a steal at $50+$40 for shipping. I only need mine once, maybe twice a year tops so it lives in the back of the shed on the back of the lot. It's still all shiny and new---well over twenty years old though. I was kind of hoping that if I ever wanted to sell mine it would fetch some kind of collector's premium as I heard they stopped production.

Guess not.

[kwfloors]

I have the new style and it cost me over 10 times as much and I too only seem to use it about 4 times a year. I wouldn't be without one now and I have nobody that I know that has one to borrow so I must be that guy.

[Daris Mulkin]

I had the newer model also. I sold it to a friend and he has broke it 2 or 3 times. The same part each time. I think the last time he had troble getting them to give him the part. Design defect I think. I've heard of other breaking the same part.
I used it to do one room and that wa enough. It beat me to death trying to move it from a kneeling position.

Daris

[davegarden]

I have one of these and used to love it. It was great for Basments and patterns. It kept breaking and now roberts won't talk to me about replacing parts. I have 2 sets of poles for this that are now useless because the head is broken.

[Daris Mulkin]

Dave has the one I was talking about.

Daris

[rusty baker]

Reminds me of the Crain I bought new. I finally wore out my old Roberts jr. Had to make my own parts to rebuild it. Should be good for another 10 years.

[kwfloors]

So, what parts are breaking as I have had no problems.

[BrianM]

kwfloors said Here is a Sr. power stretcher that ends in a day for cheap. ROBERTS MODEL SENIOR CARPET STRETCHER - eBay (item 380130445289 end time Jun-15-09 14:18:16 PDT) You can still get tubes for this, the best I've found is from toolsforfloors.com.

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The item went down without a bid.

[davegarden]

The two side rackets that attach the handle to the head. They are made out of cheap tempered metal made overseas. I understand Roberts trying to make the tool lighter, but it also must function. I thought that where I live might be an issue. The first time it broke was in the winter. However, the second time it broke was in the summer. I really liked using the tool and would like it fixed. I am currently using it as a deadman to stretch off of.

[kwfloors]

I have a friend machinist that has modified more than one tool that has broke on me. Everyone needs a good machinist.

[davegarden]

I had a machinist manufacture a couple of parts for this stretcher. Although I am disappointed in Roberts, I really like the stretcher.

[rusty baker]

I bought the Crain 499 new in, I think,1983. Nothing but problems. One of the Crain reps even told me they were defective. I stored it for years. 5 0r 6 years ago I needed a second stretcher, so I bought all the sliding parts new. Same thing. I would never own another Crain stretcher.

[DJ]

they're touchy. also temper mental just like a woman i found if you're gentle,talk dirty to it it, it will work