Crain 515 Mini Stretcher with Seam Repair Attachment Instructions

Crain 515 Mini Stretcher with Seam Repair Attachment

Product Information

The Crain No. 515 Mini-Stretcher with Seam Repair Attachment is a versatile tool designed for carpet installation and repair. It features various components and functions that enhance its usability and efficiency.

Stretch Lock Button

The stretch lock button is located on the tool and allows you to hold a stretch position, freeing up your hands for other tasks such as tucking or seam repair. You can easily lock the stretcher at any point by pushing the locking button forward to the “LOCK” position. To release the lock, simply pull the button back to the upper position. The leverage handle also locks at the bottom of its downward movement.

Quick-Change Push Buttons

Both ends of the tool are equipped with sockets that feature quick-change push buttons. These buttons allow for easy installation or removal of different attachments, including gripper heads and wall blades. By depressing a push button, you can insert or remove the pin on the attachment from the socket. Once the pin is fully inserted, releasing the push button will lock it in place.

Dual Pivots & Pivot Lock Pins

The gripper heads and wall blade can pivot when installed on either end of the tool. This flexibility enables various positioning angles for different tasks, such as pattern-matching work. If desired, the gripper heads and tail blade can be locked in place by depressing the pivot lock pins located on either end of the tool.

Product Usage Instructions

General Usage

To use the Mini-Stretcher, follow these steps:

1. Position the tool with the rear gripper head towards the front.
2. Lower the leverage handle to pull the rear gripper head towards the front, stretching the carpet.

Refer to Figure 4 for a visual representation of this process.

Pattern Matching Usage – Crab Walking

To perform pattern-matching work using the Mini-Stretcher, start at the middle of the seam and follow these steps:

1. Position the tool with the gripper heads parallel to the seam.
2. Move the tool in a crab-like motion along the seam, pulling and stretching the carpet as needed.

Refer to Figure 2 for a visual representation of this technique.

INSTRUCTION

STRETCH LOCK BUTTON

The stretch lock button (Figure 1) holds a stretch. This frees up your hands for tucking or seam repair work. You can lock the stretcher at any point by pushing the locking button forward to the position marked “LOCK”. To release the lock, pull the button back to the upper position. The leverage handle also locks at the bottom of its downward movement.

QUICK-CHANGE PUSH BUTTONS
As shown in Figure 2, both ends of the tool have sockets with quick-change push buttons to install either A.) two gripper heads, or B.) one gripper head and a wall blade. Depress a push button, and the pin on the gripper head or wall blade can be inserted into or removed from the socket. Release the push button with the pin fully inserted in the socket, and the pin will lock in place.

DUAL PIVOTS & PIVOT LOCK PINS
The gripper heads or wall blades will pivot when installed on either end (Figure 3), or they can be locked if desired. The gripper heads can be pivoted parallel to the seam for pattern-matching work (Figure 1). The gripper heads and tail blade can be locked perpendicular to the tubes by depressing the pivot lock pins on either end of the tool (Figure 3).

GENERAL USAGE
The Mini-Stretcher works by pulling the rear gripper head towards the front when the leverage handle is lowered (Figure 4).

PATTERN MATCHING USAGE
Attach gripper heads on both ends (Figure 5). Set the pin depth on both gripper heads using the dial. The pins should penetrate into the carpet’s backing, but not through the backing, or damage to the carpet may result. Turn clockwise for greater pin depth penetration, or counterclockwise for reduced penetration.

For pattern-matching work, the Mini-Stretcher
can be used for either “CRAB WALKING” (Figure 6) one side of the carpet seam at a time, or “DIAGONAL STRETCHING” (Figure 1) which pulls both sides of the seam inwards simultaneously.

CRAB WALKING
Place the Mini-Stretcher in the middle of the seam, and on one side of the seam (Figure 6). Step 1: raise the leverage handle to maximum height, anchor the grippers in the carpet, then lower the leverage handle. This forms a hump of carpet between the grippers. Step 2: place Mini-Stretcher in front of the hump just created, and repeat. Steps 1 & 2 gradually pull the carpet forward, bringing that side of the carpet into alignment with the other side. At the end of the seam, return to the middle and work in the opposite direction to bring the entire seam into alignment.

DIAGONAL STRETCHING
Diagonal stretching (Figure 7) across the seam can help with smaller adjustments, particularly correcting edge deviation or closing gaps. The dual pivoting grippers can be positioned at different angles as desired to pull the seams together at the angle that produces the right adjustment.

PATTERN MATCHING PRO TIPS
Cuts should be arranged so the longest pattern is installed first. Dry lay the carpet prior to applying adhesive. Pre-stretch the carpet only enough to match the pattern fairly closely, but do not attempt final alignment. For final pattern alignment, apply adhesive to the subfloor with the proper notched trowel, but apply only to those areas on either side of the seam being presently aligned, so that alignment can be achieved before adhesive tacks up. Set the carpet into the wet adhesive, then stretch it into the final alignment. The use of stay nails is required to hold the carpet in place until the adhesive is fully cured.

SEAM REPAIR USAGE
Install both gripper heads on the tool as shown in Figure 5, and set pin depth so that the pins extend into, but not through, the carpet’s backing.
To open a seam for repair, place the gripper heads on either side of the seam, with each head oriented parallel to the seam (Figure 8). For this usage, it can be helpful to lock the gripper heads perpendicular to the leverage handle using the pivot lock pins (Figure 3). Lower the leverage handle to pull the seam edges together to open the seam as needed.

Once the seam is opened, you can cut apart the portion requiring repair and apply latex or other form of adhesive to perform repairs as necessary. It is usually advisable to re-seal seam edges to prevent unraveling, delamination, or loss of tufts. Allow the adhesive to fully cure before removing the tool. Otherwise, it is necessary to use stay nails.

SEAM REPAIR WITH A SEAMING IRON
Tall seam repair legs are available as an accessory (Crain No. 519) to allow a carpet seaming iron to pass underneath the tool more conveniently (Figure 10). To install the tall seam repair legs on both ends, depress the quick-change push button on either end and remove both gripper head and short leg assemblies (Figure 9). Using the provided hex wrench, unscrew the four bolts, and remove the short legs from the gripper heads. Attach the tall seam repair legs to each of the gripper heads using the same four bolts. Depress the quick-change push button on either end to reinsert the tall leg pins in the sockets, and release the push button to lock.

STRETCHING CARPET
The Mini-Stretcher is convenient for removing undesired humps that may be present in improperly installed carpet.

NOTE: installing an extra row of strips in front of the existing row is normally required for reinforcement of the tack strip.
As shown in Figure 11, install the wall blade on the front end of the tool (nearest the leverage handle). Insert the wall blade behind the carpet and the tack strip (Figure 12). Lower the leverage handle to stretch the carpet.

TYPES OF PATTERN CARPET DISTORTION

TOLERANCES: although individual manufacturers have tolerances to which their patterned products must conform, THERE ARE NO INDUSTRY STAN-DARDS FOR CARPET PATTERN VARIATION. Call the carpet manufacturer for their tolerances. Note: do not install carpet if a defect is visible, or if the distortion exceeds the tolerances specified by the carpet manufacturer.

REPLACEMENT PARTS NO. 515 MINI STRETCHER

ORDER/DESCRIPTION

• No. 519 Tall Seam Repair Legs
• 1515-10 Outside Tube Assembly
• 1515-11 Inside Tube Assembly
• 1515-12 Short Leg w/Pin
• 1515-14 Pin Plate Housing
• 1515-15 Pin Plate
• 1515-16 Gear Assembly
• 1515-18 Handle Bushing w/Fasteners (2)
• 1515-19 Gear Assembly Bushing w/Fasteners (2)
• 1515-20 Leverage Handle
• 1515-21 Leg Bolts Set (4)
• 1515-23 Wall Blade w/Pin
• 1515-24 Release Pin w/Spring & Lock Ring
• 1515-26 Pivot Lock, Ring & Fast. (4)
• 1515-28 Bushing w/Fasteners (2)
• 1515-30 Thruster Slide
• 1515-31 Thruster Slide Bushing w/Fasteners (2)
• 1515-32 Stretch Lock Spring
• 1515-33 Carrying Case (not shown)
• 1515-35 Inside Tube Assembly Sleeve
• 1515-36 Hex Key
• 1500-5 Nylon Bearing Set (2)
• 1500-6 Dog
• 1500-8 Lock Button w/Fasteners (3)

TWO PACKS OF THE FOLLOWING ARE REQUIRED FOR REPLACEMENT TO EITHER GRIPPER (4 TOTAL BOTH GRIPPERS):

• 1505-K Gripper Insert (3)
• 1505-Q Gripper Screws (3

WARRANTY

• This Crain No. 515 Mini-Stretcher is guaranteed to be free of defects in workmanship or quality of materials for a period of ONE YEAR.
• Any parts of tools found defective subject to guarantee will be replaced at no charge. Credit in full or part cannot be extended by the distributor. New tools will not be given as replacements for those pending a warranty adjustment.
• All merchandise returned subject to this warranty must be accompanied by the same. All merchandise returned must be shipped
• F.O.B. Milpitas, California, and must be in complete, assembled units. No consideration will be given to unassembled parts. All disputes will be up to the consideration of CRAIN CUTTER CO., INC. and their decision will be final.

Please fill out and mail this card to validate your CRAIN guarantee.

• NAME
• ADDRESS
• CITY
• STATE ZIP

TOOL PURCHASED: #515 Mini-Stretcher

• PURCHASED FROM:
• DATE PURCHASED:
• PLEASE CHECK:
  • INDIVIDUAL FLOORING INSTALLER
  • WORKROOM
  • FLOORING DEALER
  • INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR
  • OTHER

Crain Cutter Co., Inc.
1155 Wrigley Way
Milpitas, CA 95035-5426

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>