Help using the Trim Master Carpet Trimmer
This is how I figured out it should be used. I searched the web, I tried the Stikatak website, the Homebase and B & Q websites, DIYnot, eHow and so on. I could not find out how this gizmo I had bought works. So this is all based on my own experience.
Contents
Carpet Trimmers
Blades
These blades are hooked, and very sharp, so keep them in, and return them to their dispenser, treat them with care. Use gloves if you have them to handle them safely!
Set up
The grey handle has screws to the left and right, and screws underneath.
The plate underneath should be considered a guide - it allows the device to glide smoothly over the carpet as the blade cuts. So far, beyond my initial investigation, I have not had another reason to unscrew the two screws holding the guide in.
The blade itself is actually fitted to one of the sides. Consider where you will be working, and the direction of the cut. Unscrew one side, and the panel should come off. There is an internal nut the other side of the bolt here, and it should be clipped in place. If it wanders, then you will need to remove the glide plate, reseat the nut and replace the guide plate.
Under the side panel, you will see there are standard Stanley blade style notches - the blade will sit in these, with one hook protruding from under the tool.
Now get yourself a blade from the dispenser. Handle it carefully - as noted many times, it is fiercely sharp, and hooked. Without gloves or due care, it is quite capable of burying itself in a finger and slicing other skin on the way back out!
Place the blade into the slot and over the two notches, and screw it down well. Make sure it is well held, but not overtightened.
The trimmer is now ready to use.
Carpet Tools
This tool is only part of the range of gear that can or should be used to make a good job of laying carpet. It just struck me as the least explained. Here are a selection of other handy tools at good prices.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byPreparing The Carpet
You will need to have cut the carpet until you have around 50mm (5 cm, 2 or 3 inches) flaps to trim away.
The carpet should be clear of any other trimmings and so on.
Try to get the carpet right into the corner made by the floor and the skirting. I found using a block of wood and kicking into the corner works for this.
Using the tool
Hold it firmly, and keeping it down and into the wall, push it along to the next corner. Once the initial cut is made, it will (with some resistance) glide through fairly well, just keep it going to the end.
As the meagre instructions say, there will be a few cm at the ends of the cut that you need to use a carpet knife or good strong sharp scissors to finish. Try to use a metal rule to keep them straight.
Home Improvement and DIY information
Finishing Up
Screw the side plate back onto the side, and you are done.
Take care to store the blades safely. Never leave blades out on a floor or surface, never leave the tool armed when not in use. Never leave the tool where children can get to it.
All Home Improvement projects should be carried out safely. He who DIY's in a safe way, lives to DIY another day.
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Reader Feedback - Carpet fitting and DIY tales?
Have you tried to use this tool? Perhaps you are a carpet fitting professional who can tell me the error of my ways, or perhaps just another person looking at Home Improvement projects trying to figure it all out.
If you have any other interesting DIY stories or lenses you want to share please do. HTML is allowed, pure spam is not.
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- Jul 22, 2009 @ 11:56 am
- Nice lens, I thought it was pretty insightful so I decided to give you 5 stars, hey, I have a page that's pretty similar to yours, maybe you can check it out when you have time: The Perfect Carpet
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Reply
- EelKat EelKat Jul 1, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
- I had no idea there was such a thing as "carpet trimming", I have never heard of it before! good info - sent you a blessing
More info on this tool and carpet fitting
- Stikatak Vinyl & Carpet Trimmer - At B & Q
- A place where this inexpensive device can be bought.
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