DIY Carpet Installer

[Former Workshop member]

I will be fascinated to see what people think about this!
I had about 3 lineal metres of carpet to 'retack' onto the tacking strip (the strip that is nailed/glued to the slab/floorboards/whatever and has spikes pointing towards the wall...that stuff!). Bunnings have a great product to use should you wish to DIY that type of carpet installation...

https://www.bunnings.com.au/capitol-d-i-y-carpet-installation-kit_p6820043

However I didn't really want to outlay that sort of money for such a small job...so I dodgy'ed something together that worked well enough! It is pretty self explanatory from the photos I think...though once everyone has managed to stop laughing hysterically at how lame it is  I can give details if you wish!

Peace

The Captain

Side view Top view Carpet grabbing part...may be tough to see but the 'tacks' on the wood strip are pointing forward

[Kermit]

This reminds me of the amazement I felt when I saw new carpet being installed at my first house. I couldn't believe how punishing the job was on the installers, having to belt their knee into the knee kicker over and over again all day. 

Good job @Former Workshop member. I'd suggest some padding for the kicker though! 

[Former Workshop member]

Haha @Kermit  yeah I remember seeing the same thing! The guys look like martial artists or something...dropping a 'flying knee' into the end of the thing with some real force!

I totally agree though...grab a couple of spare rags <or whatever> and put some cushioning on the end of it! I found that as the spikes weren't as long as the proper tool they didn't grip anywhere near as well; so to compensate I just left my knee in the same postion whilst pushing down on the front part with the 'carpet grabbing spikes'. From there I just sort of shifted my knee forward and made sure that the tacks held to the top of the carpet - and that when ready - the tacks on the concrete slab engaged as well.

Definitely took a couple of goes and a lot longer than the proper tool; plus I think I will redo bits of it once the Walk In Robe is completed (not sure if I mentiond that as the area that I needed to do it to?). A the end of the day though; I had 3 lineal metres of carpet tack strip to fix. I just wasn't going to get a tradie in to do it and I wasn't going to spend $70 for the decent Bunnigs unit....I think most DIY'ers have encountered smaller things like this where you are stuck for a solution!

Thanks for the reply as well mate  I don't know about guys here; but sometimes the smallest little tip has been a 'light bulb' moment for me; and has saved both time and money. I only wanted to put some photos of that down with the thought that it might help someone somewhere...I have benefitted from guys on this forum's advice and I want to try and give at least SOMETHING back!

Plus I kind of believe that having a laugh at your own 'dodgy shortcuts' is a very healthy thing! Taking everything super serious all the time isn't much fun