Seamer Down Now Tool

Dobby Tappet · #1 August 4, 2008, 09:49 PM

The SDN can be beneficial in very limited circumstances. It, in my opinion , study and use, does not even come close to meeting the claims made by the manufacture. I have tested the quality of seams made with the SDN and without and have found no benefits or advantages in the quality or appearance of the finished seam.

The SDN is extremely LOUD! It is a shop vac motor blowing eight inches behind your iron with you kneeling directly above it.

Using it in a closet or small space makes it seem E-V-E-N L-O-U-D-E-R !

The size and presence of double power cords makes it cumbersome to use on short seams or seams in confined quarters.

As for the claim of the SDN abilities to draw the thermoplastic into the backing to eliminate peaking and make a stronger seam,... with the SINCH tape there is no excess thermoplastic to be drawn up, making the issue moot.

As for the rapid cooling, while the SINCH iron does introduce heat and cooling into the seaming process, the degree of heat it is far, far less than the heat generated by following the SDN's manufacturer's instructions that specifies the traditional seaming irons be set to the highest maximum temp for all product and backings to allow the thermoplastic to be drawn into the backing for rapid cooling. Again, with the SINCH tape, there is no thermoplastic to be 'sucked into the backing' and the backing temp is already far less than with a traditional seaming iron set on high.

As for the benefits of having or using an SDN, they are, at best, extremely limited and the SDN is clearly not a 'gotta have' tool and even less so in conjunction with a Sinch Iron. This is not only my opinion, the SDN has never been deemed worthy of any official endorsement by the CFI despite being throughly tested by Jim Walker himself.

Again, this is my opinion and experience. Others may, and most certainly do, have views and opinions that differ from mine and I respect and appreciate their positions. But if I had six children and was making double mortgage payments buying an SDN would not be high on my list of tools or equipment to purchase. Not that I would recommend anyone to purchase it at anytime, but hey, two hundred dollars can buy a lot of school clothes.

With kindest regards,

Dobby

PS: Sorry, Admin, I was making my post at the same time you were

If a new thread is started, by all means feel free to move and/or copy this reply there. Although I must say, I do believe any benefits the SDN may bring to the seaming experience with traditional heat irons those benefits are even less with a Sinch. Thank you.

TFP Admin · #2 August 4, 2008, 11:04 PM

It's okay, I just used your post to start the new topic. In its original context, you were basing your comments on the use of the Kool Glide seaming tool. I just want others to know this is a discussion of the SDN, no matter what seaming tool you use it with. For those who don't know here is a link to the tool's website: Seamer Down Now! - Carpet Seamer

T

The Carpetologist · #3 August 5, 2008, 05:32 AM

Now that is what I was looking for!
I was also curious about the noise since watching the videos it seemed kind of loud.
I will be holding off on buying one.... today.
Thanks for your post.

Roland Thompson · #4 August 5, 2008, 07:48 AM

I have one and I find it very helpfull doing many of things I feel it was well worth the investment.

Roland

mcurrin · #5 August 5, 2008, 11:46 AM

I don't think there is anything wrong with the machine itself. Many have given it great reviews and like it. I don't doubt that it is beneficial tool. The problem I have had is with the promotion of the tool. If it as good as others say then that is the way it should be marketed. The owners tend to exagerate the value and importance of this tool. And if you want a fight, just question these claims, not dispute them, just question them.

Mike

rusty baker · #6 August 5, 2008, 12:04 PM

I made the mistake of complaining because they were advertising when it was against the rules. They sent me several nasty e-mails.

Mark in Tulsa · #7 August 5, 2008, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by rusty baker

I made the mistake of complaining because they were advertising when it was against the rules. They sent me several nasty e-mails.

Huh? Who did what to you? Sorry I'm a little slow today.

But I have heard guys love it on the cheap polyester builder grade carpet. Helps with the swelling of the naps from the heat. Also they can stretch on it faster in the new construction atmosphere.

But on a thicker heavier nylon carpet where you can't fly as fast with installation there isn't much benefit.

Not my words, just what I have heard.

Hoss · #8 August 5, 2008, 01:43 PM

When this product first came out, I tested it against several different kinds of seaming tapes. I tested shear strength and the "20 second stretch" test that the manufacturer claims. The product failed most of the tests with most of the seam tapes except on some of the cheaper tapes. I posted pictures of the testing with each seam tape on another website. Maybe someone from the admin here can link that so you can see for yourself.

A few months to a year after I posted the results, the company changed it's stance on the types of tapes and backings it could and could not be used on.

The noise level in a 9x9 room was almost unbearable. All of my testing was performed in a climate controlled environment using the tool just as recommended by the company and all the testing was deemed unreliable to them.

Just as mentioned in the above posts, when you even question the abilities of the product, you will face some serious opposition from the company.

I gave mine away. Fot the type of work that I perform, I did not need it.

Darren Ramey · #9 August 5, 2008, 01:47 PM

I still say it is a great tool regardless of the way it is marketed or the way the Bennett's themselves come across. I use mine on most everything. It's great for locking in those little patterns/pin dots that can move around on you even under your weight. A Seamerdown will lock it in place almost instantly. It is a huge help when you are dealing with snakey rows. About the only thing I don't use mine on is wovens.

I can't say that I have noticed a decrease in peaking since I started using it, and it wont speed up the seaming possess itself but if you have a 1 room job with a seam at the door, it will save you 15 min of standing around. If you have a helper that can stretch it in behind you, it will save you more time than that every day.

It is loud though, and the cord is constantly getting tangled up with the iron cord. If they came out with a pro model with a quieter motor that was cordless I would be all over it.

Bill Watson · #10 August 5, 2008, 02:38 PM

My experience with the tool has been mostly positive.
I believe most of the comments made by Mr Tappet concerning the use with the Sinch to be true.
Although I have never met him in person, from reading his posts here on this forum, I have developed a huge amount of respect for him.

IMHO, he also is correct in saying that it may not be a "Must-have" tool. I could get by just fine without it.

My position is this, the Seamer Down has it's uses. Many of which have been stated by others here. It is a tool in my "box" that I feel helps me improve the quality and speed of my installations. I will admit that in some cases, it could be purely psycological (SP?), but not in all cases.

I think this is a tool that is absolutly worth checking out, and form your own opinions on.

Daris Mulkin · #11 August 5, 2008, 03:53 PM

I agree with Dbby, Roland and Bill. It definitely is not a must have tool. I do like mine and use it religiously on most everything. I feel that it does help the seams somewhat and is another tool in my arsenal.
With the Koolglide it may not help due to the amount of glue but it also doesn't hurt anything.
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