Serging tape

[Daris Mulkin]

I was wondering if anyone has used the serging tape that National puts out? I have a job coming Monday and have never used it. Any do' and don'ts? I have heard you can't back up the machine and start over in case of bobbin shortage or breaking a threade or needle. The rugs I have to do are about 21 x23 of C & A's power bond on site as it is installed.
Any hints will be appreciated.

Daris

[rgfloor]

Have you ever run your portable binder thru Powerbond?

Doesn't sound like fun at all.

[Daris Mulkin]

RG I have done it many times. have even done base. Just haven't done the serging tape before other than play with a little piece here at home. Little meaning 3x6 inch piece.

Daris

[mcurrin]

Did it one time one a rug I made for my sons dorm room. It didn't work out to well, lots of fraying, but then again it was a dorm room.

Mike

[Harry Myers]

Daris I use it alot . Good stuff charge alot more p.m me for my price if you like.

[Dobby Tappet]

My experience with NCE's surging tape has not been positive and I absolutely love our twin puller binding brute. The thing binds anything and everything but I have never been able to get the surging tape to work well for more than a few feet. Just my experience, even purchased a special folder just for the tape and still got nothing but cuss words out of it all.

Harry, maybe you could share some tips or insights on the topic, maybe I'm just missing something cause I believe the concept is a good, if I could get it to work.

Dobby

[Harry Myers]

Dave I use nationals surge tape all the time. No problem what so ever for many years now. If so what is the problem and maybe I can help. Now if you are referring to NC that is a different story. I also complained to them how can they sell NC Binders and there surge tape not fit the folders. Well that is why I buy from National. It is there loss not mine.

[Dobby Tappet]

National Carpet Equipment, you know dose friendly folks up in minn-ah-soda.

The problem I've had is with the tape riding up or down, depending on how the folder is adjusted and the stitches not catching. It seems to work perfectly for a few feet, then, like I said, the tape rolls up or down, anyway but straight.

The last time I used it it took about four hours and an entire roll of tape to do a 7' x 10' rug. That was the last time. BTW the machine I use is a NCE Binding Brute with the twin puller with adjustable speed and stitch. Like I said, I love the machine, just have never been able to get the serging tape to work with it.

How is it working for our friend Daris?

With kindest regards,

Dobby

[Daris Mulkin]

Well today I did the first rug. As David said the tape must be moving up or down in the folder as I was not sewing on the underside of the tape. I called Nat'l and got no answer other than it could be the tension on the material or I wasn't holding the machine tight enough to the carpet. But get this. I sewed the side of the rug up the length of the carpet. Perfect ! When going across the width it would be on then off and then on. Then it was off and didn't come back on. After wasting about 10 foot of tape I readjusted the machine and went to zigzag[also suggested by Nat'l] and now it is sewing real well except it make the tape look like crap, which it does anyway as far as I'm concerned.
The guy at Nat'l [Mark] said that in straight stitch it would be very hard for it to sew on both top and bottom.
Now for a new problem with this friggin job. In each area there are 6x7 in electrical cut outs that are susposed to be done also. Any suggestions on how to do this? Can't get a machine in there and there is also the matter of inside corners. I played around with a glue gun this afternoon and that didn't work and look for crap. I am also thinking of a hand stapler but the material is only 7/8" wide and how do you finish off the where the end comes? This is some ravilly junk when cut. There are 15 of these all together.
I'll post more as it comes or i think of it.

Daris

[Chris Flynn]

Daris.... did you try to bevel the yarn Back when running the serging tape? that does make a differece.... also I do not know about color, but Bond was working on some 1 1/4 serging tape that you could staple on around the outlets and then glue.... what we have done, and to be honest it goes a lot faster that you might think, you can overcast with a needle and yarn.... I can overcast a 9X12 in less than a half of a day.... I will give everyone one little secret about overcasting, always use a needle that will hold at least 4 strands of yarn so when doubled up you have eight strands.... you will be amazed on how fast it is.... I know a guy that will overcast faster that I could hand sew binding on and glue on the back side... a pretty amazing site and the finished product was beautiful....
Chris

[Harry Myers]

That is my main product and do not have a problem with it . If it was not sewing the underside i would move my folder over at the litttlest of increments. I dont understand the problem it is really a simple product. Daris further reading. When adjusting your folder on a zig zag stitch what I do is , Don' t put the stitch on the serging. Simply adjustment it to the very end catching about a 1/6 of your outer border lets say , of the binding. The folder is where everybody goes wrong as well as the tension. Hope I helped . What do I know. I use the product everyday.

[Lance]

We had the same problem with serging tape folder, tape would not stay staight.We now use an old regular binding tape folder and have never had a problem.We also use the zig-zag stitch, it keeps edges from curling and always catches the edge.

[Daris Mulkin]

I completed the job this morning after a lot of cussing and screaming, and once kicking the machine across the floor.
Basically after I went to zig zag it went somewhat smooth. I did have a problem today twice, one tread from the serging caught on the end of the tensioning loops and screwed up a area about 6 inchs before I caught it. I ended up having to do about 21 feet all over again.
Yesterday was the real kicker. I went to lunch while the installer laid out the rug so when I got back I could bind it. Well when I got back there was one of the terrazo guys repairing an area in the terrazzo. Just so happens it was right where my machine would track. Wet cement and stones. I asked the guy if i could lay a piece of luan over it long enough for the machine to go over. The area was about 2x2 feet. He said no!!! Tomorrow!!! That is when i really let him have it with both barrels calling him everything but human.
So It ended up being a 3 day project and $30 for gas. I bet I won't do this again.
I also was told there was 150 feet on a roll of tape. It ended up having 120 which really screwed me up. But I had enough as the job was only 200 feet.
Daris

[rgfloor]

Originally Posted by Daris Mulkin That is when i really let him have it with both barrels calling him everything but human. Daris

No, I don't believe our own mild mannered, kind hearted, Grampa Daris would blow his stack!!

[Harry Myers]

Good for you Daris glad you accomplished it . If it were not for Dave specifying the folder . The material moving up and down . I guess you would have never figured it out. Good choice boys.