Seamer Down Now Tool

[Harry Myers]

It does have it benefits . Now we know the Kool Glide tape has little adhesive. But in actuality it is drawing closer to the surface where you do not have to use a roller or tractor. Now I would not use the technology where talking about on a Kara-Loc or some velvets or even a H-5 backing. But for a Wilton it does work nice. I tested as well.. It is a tool that has it place. Most people do tufted action back . I see know reason why they should not have this tool to. Also Spot welding. No deadmen or stay nailing. ?That right there is a benefit to me. Once again we all have differences.

[stullis]

Originally Posted by Daris Mulkin Noise don't bother me as I'm quite deaf anyway and just take out the aids if I think it is to loud. Hearing aids do have some advantages of which I won't go into. Daris

Daris you still might want to be careful. Just because you can't hear if you take the hearing aids out doesn't mean that additional damage might be done.

Hearing protection is a good idea when using any loud product. Common sense.

[Peter Kodner]

Great point Scott! Ear plugs were a part of the safety kit we provided every mechanic and apprentice. Sales people also carried them in their cars. We also provided company hard hats, dust masks and a small first aid kit. Large first aid boxes were in all of our gang boxes and they were inventoried every time they came back form a site.

Sorry to hijack, but we don't discuss safety very often and it is an important topic

[stullis]

I carry that stuff but am guilty of not using them often enough.

[The Carpetologist]

Based on all the input here (thanks guys!), I believe I am going to hold off on this tool for awhile. It does sound beneficial on those trouble seams (which I don't have to often) but with money being tight, I don't see the need to spend the cash for something that may just being using space in my van.
If I run into a nasty one, Ill send my helper up to the supply store.

Thanks for all your help.

[Don Monfils]

I have used the Seamer Down Now on almost every seam I have done for the last few years. I think It works great.
I got a Kool Glide Pro A few months ago and it works great with the S.D.N.
I bought mine when they first came out. After a year and a half, the motor stopped working and I called the Benetts and they sent me a brand new one with a bigger motor.
I sent the old one back to them, and sent them around $50 (including shipping) for the new tool.
I believe they have a 30 day full refund if your not satisfied with the tool.
I agree its not a must have tool but, I think the machine is well worth the money.

[The Carpetologist]

I do have a question about the SND with regards to seams sealed with thermoplastic. Is there any danger of the SND pulling the thermoplastic up the yarns?

Things are starting to slow down here, getting smaller jobs where I am having a helper standing around waiting for me... need to get on the stretching a little quicker.... but I want to be certain that all my questions about he SND are addressed before I make the investment.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Don Monfils]

I have never had a problem with that Chris.
Buy it , I would bet you would like the S.D.N.

[Dobby Tappet]

Why not take advantage of the extra time and teach your helper how to make the seams? After all, making seams is not that hard, especially with a patient teacher like yourself.

Why I recall seeing Jim Walker take people out of a crowd who had never made a seam before and teaching them how to make a seam good enough to sell to anyone, yet I see helpers who work in the trade for years and never learn how to make a seam.

All I'm saying is, if you really want to invest in your business, invest in educating and training your helper. Take the few extra minutes each day and show them that they are a valued asset to your business and the dividend will be returned ten fold. Too many in this trade prefer to keep helpers as unskilled grunts and oddly enough, thats just what they get.

Just a thought.

Respectfully,

Dobby

[Nick Arrera]

I agree , once they master one thing start on another .. Nothing worst then doing all the work , while a guy you are paying is just watching you ..

[Daris Mulkin]

I have a SDN and like the tool enough I got rid of my seam weight. I have not had any problems of bringing the glue up above the seam line, but have a friend that did. But I think he possibly didn't have the edges tight together, just a thought, I've seen him make seams without any type of weight. Just a light tap of the fingers.
I also agree with Dobbey, education is the key. Seams were the second thing I taught behind stretching. Its amazing how fast someone will pick it up if they have never done it before.

Daris

[Roland Thompson]

I to have not had any problem with glue coming up thru the seam. Give it a try.
I will also 4th the motion that you take the time to train your worker for this will also add products to your day. And the Lord knows we need some well trained people in the industry.

Roland

[The Carpetologist]

Thanks for the input guys....
About the training for the helper...
This guy is only going to be with me long enough to find someone else.
He is the slowest person I have ever met.
No matter how many times I show him, he will still spend an hour in a 12 x 12 room to pad it.
He can stretch simple bedrooms (with instruction every time on every room) but it takes him an hour to that as well....
Add an extra hour for trimming, and you have a 12 X 12 that only took 3 hours with no seams, no tack strip and no take up....
And, you better plan an extra hour if there is a closet involved.
Fun times.
He does save me about 2 hours per day, and I do need help getting the carpet in so I probably break even on him.

If I could get a hold of a guy who wants to work, willing to learn, and hustles, I would show him everything I know with the intentions of eventual partnership, as it is, this guy is not the one.

[Demonseed]

Dobby hit the nail on the head, teach, but at the same time, learn to be more productive. Why are you standing around waiting for seams to set? Why do you have down time? If you know you have to wait for your seams, why isn't there any scraps or garbage to be picked up? Organize or clean tools?

I believe in the least amount of wasted motion possible on a job. Get your transistion strips in place, cut stairs, whatever you have to do, even run out for a coffee. There has to be something that can be done, buy air movers if you do alot of floor prep.

I really hate standing around doing nothing.

[The Carpetologist]

Well....
I only had one room to do in the house, and it had a seam.
No trash to pick up, tool boxs and van are clean.
No transitions to install...
I bring my own coffiee...
And I hate leaving the job site.

I am ALMOST convinced to get the Seamer Down now...
But I watched the video again with the guys sealing the seam only one one side and they used the Seamer Down now behind the Kool Glide and it was so stinking loud that I could not hardly hear what they were saying!
Why in the world can't they get it to be a bit more quiet?
I really like the idea of it, especially for being about to stretch quicker and helping with the spot seaming trouble seams but Lord... It's so load!

OK, I'm going to bite the bullet and order one direct.
Thanks to all of your for your valuable input.