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This discussion, "Unifix laminate tool", in Tools, Equipment and Supplies (part of the category The Professional Forums), begins, "Our sales rep for Quick Step was in the shop today with a tech rep from Quickstep. They had a ..."
Our sales rep for Quick Step was in the shop today with a tech rep from Quickstep. They had a new tool for repairing a damaged board in laminate. Anyone else seen it yet?
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"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten."
I visited their website, Quick-Step: home to see if I could get more information, but had nothing but trouble just sending the contact form. If they reply to me, maybe I can get access to their pro or press sections to get more information about this tool.
Thanks,
T
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Is this the tool that gaps the floor, to allow a new plank to be slipped in place? I've heard rumors, heard it called by another name. but never have I seen one. I used to do pretty well doing board replacements for other store's when the product was glued, but not one since. Not even a repair.
Someone said they saw it demonstrated at a seminar. I have not seen it myself Danny.
I like Crain tools, but they have a habit of coming out with a new tool... ol'Jerry buys it...then they will make a needed change after I already bought it. For instance the 820 undercut saw and the Crain laminate cutter which i heard will now snap wider laminates. That gets a little irritating.
Crain should have a trade in program for us early buyers who encourage other installers to purchase it.
I sent an email off to the Quick-Step people asking for more information on the UniFix tool. Here's the reply I got:
The Floor Pro,
Below is a short explanation of the uses of the UniFix repair tool. If you are interested, I have a instructional DVD that shows how to use the UniFix. Please send me your address and I will send you one.
The UniFix tool is an innovative tool designed to help the Quick Step installer.
The UniFix allows you to remove a plank from anywhere in the room and replace it without taking up the whole floor. Install Quick Step flooring without taking the baseboards off. Check the expansion gaps in the room and use it to install flooring in place of a pullbar.
The UniFix takes advantage of the UniClic joint on every plank of Quick Step flooring. The UniFix allows you to unclick the joints on the long sides and the short sides to remove any plank in the room without any dust.
Replacing a damaged plank in the middle of the floor only takes a few steps. To use, first separate the short side joints on the damaged plank using the Unifix. Next separate the longside joints. Now the damaged plank should be free on 3 sides. You may then remove the damaged plank and replace it with a new plank. To close the gaps you simply work backwards from how you started. Close the longside joints and then close the shortside joints. That’s how easy it is to use the UniFix to replace a plank.
To install flooring underneath existing baseboards it’s even easier. Using an undercut saw cut the baseboards on the bottom and remove the cut portion. On the last row use the UniFix to position the planks underneath the baseboard while leaving room for the expansion gap.
Regards,
Adam Ward
Product Manager, Accessories
I replied to this, requesting pictures, but haven't received a reply to that email yet.
Using an undercut saw cut the baseboards on the bottom and remove the cut portion. On the last row use the UniFix to position the planks underneath the baseboard while leaving room for the expansion gap.
I'm so confused...I always feel like the dumb kid in class. Cut the baseboard on the botto m????
Neat story on the guy who invented the unifix. He's an installer who lives somewhere over the pond. His first pototype was a 2X4 block of wood with double stick type on the bottom, which didn't last long due to the 2lb slap hammer splitting the wood block. He made one out of metal and developed a patent for it. Quickstep bought the patent, and pays the guy $20 for each one sold. Tech guy said they would sell over 10,000 first year on the market. Wholesale price is around $79.
__________________
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten."
Quik-step was demostrating the tool at the last Surfaces, I wasn't that impressed but didn't actually use it, just watched. Time to start thinking about Surfaces next year, flight and hotel res. You can get a better deal now than closer to the date. Go see the new stuff before everyone else.
I received another email from Adam Ward this morning:
I have attached a photo of the finished product as it would come to a customer. I have also attached a couple of slides that show the UniFix being used.
I noticed on your website that a couple of the people didn't quite understand section about installing underneath the baseboards.
This would be used to install laminate in a remodel job were you would want to leave the existing base boards. Currently, you would need to remove the existing baseboards to install the laminate and leave the proper expansion gap or leave the baseboards and then use quarter-round to cover the expansion gap. With the UniFix, you can use an undercut or jamb saw to remove the bottom section of the baseboards (leaving enough room to slide the flooring underneath and the proper expansion gap. Then you would install the flooring as normal. When you get to the last row. You slide the flooring underneath the base board where you have undercut it and use the UniFix to click in the last row of planks. This allows you to install the flooring without having to remove the baseboards.
We will be showing this at Surfaces again this year. Your welcome to come by and see it.
Regards,
Adam Ward
Product Manager, Accessories
Here is the boxed product:
The slide show helps to explain how the tool is used and also depicts its use in circumstances where the baseboard is left on and the flooring installed (click the first one, then click the right-arrow in the picture's upper right corner to see each image in turn):
I'd like to thank Mr. Ward for his generosity and for providing us with this information. I hope that we will be able to bring you future news and information from the QuickStep people. Maybe I can talk the company into providing this nice little tool as a prize for one of our contests.
TFP Admin
Last edited by TFP Admin; August 23, 2007 at 02:21 PM.
I guess the gap you created by the undercut baseboard in a small section, is not going to be a concern, to the home owner, that now has a bigger gap at the baseboard & flooring????
Somehow I connected this tool with Crain.... my apologies... I'll be OK.
This is a tool I would buy. I did a job in May that the walls were made out of old rough barnboards..warped and gapped open. I could have just ran it underneath instead of using 1x Roughsawn Cedar for baseboards.
Another advantage I can see is using it on undercut hearths. Also a diagonal last board puller.
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