CRAIN 515 User manual
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
No. 515 Mini-Stretcher
with Seam Repair Attachment
STRETCH
LOCK
BUTTON
CRAINCRAIN
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.
CRAIN NO. 515 MINI-STRETCHER FEATURES
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.
DUAL PIVOTS &
PIVOT LOCK PINS:
The gripper heads or wall blade 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).
1
PATTERN MATCHING USAGE
GENERAL 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.
2
START
AT MIDDLE
OF SEAM
The Mini-Stretcher works by pulling the rear
gripper head towards the front, when the
leverage handle is lowered (Figure 4).
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 rst. Dry lay
the carpet prior to applying adhesive. Pre-stretch the carpet only enough
to match the pattern fairly closely, but do not attempt nal alignment. For
nal pattern alignment, apply adhesive to the suboor 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 into
nal alignment. The use of stay nails is required to hold the carpet in place
until the adhesive is fully cured.
3
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 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 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 strip 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.
4
SHORT LEGS
DISASSEMBLY
TALL LEGS
ASSEMBLY
SEAM IRON GOES UNDER
WITH TALL LEGS
STRETCHING ASSEMBLY STRETCHING CARPET
5
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 specied by the carpet manufacturer.
EDGE
DEVIATION
A visible wavy
or crooked
pattern, running
parallel from
the edge of the
carpet.
ELONGATION
Increase or
decrease of
cumulative
pattern
measurements,
one breadth of
carpet to next.
BOW
A visible
distortion or
wave of the
pattern across
the width.
SKEW
OR BIAS
The pattern is
not square with
either edges.
10
12
14
15
16
1500-5
18
19
20
28
31
30
24
26
32
36
35
18
1500-8
31
1505-
K
28
1500-6
28
1505-Q
1505-Q
23
12
14
15
11
24
26
24
1505-K
21
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)
CRAIN
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 accom-
panied with 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 nal.
Please ll 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
REPLACEMENT PARTS
NO. 515 MINI STRETCHER
1155 Wrigley Way
Milpitas, CA 95035-5426
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
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