Shoutout to the guy who told me to try a different knee kicker on Berber

I was installing a big Berber job in a Phoenix condo last week and my usual kicker just wasn't gripping the backing right. Another installer at the supply house said to try the Roberts 1075 model instead. I rented one for the day, about $40, and the difference was night and day. The teeth grabbed the backing perfectly and I got a tight stretch on the first pass. Has anyone else found a specific tool that saves the day on tricky carpet types?

3 comments

3 Comments

valthomas2mo ago

My old kicker always slipped on that loop pile commercial stuff.

tessacarter2mo ago

That "night and day" difference is probably just the relief of using a new, sharp tool. A worn-out kicker will slip on anything. I bet your usual one just needs its teeth cleaned or replaced. @valthomas, your old kicker slipping on loop pile is the same deal, it's a maintenance issue not a magic tool fix. Dropping $40 to rent a specialty tool for every tricky carpet is a band-aid. Learning to properly maintain and adjust the basic gear you already own is the real skill.

victor_adams951mo ago

Oh MAN, you're so right. I had the EXACT same thing happen with my old kicker on a dense frieze. Thought I was going crazy until I borrowed a buddy's kicker with brand new teeth and it was like a whole different tool. People sleep on how much a dull or worn kicker messes with your stretch. Sharp teeth make ALL the difference, especially on that Berber where you can't have any ripples.

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