Had to pick between a power stretcher or knee kicker on a tricky stair job last Thursday

I went with the power stretcher for the main run but used the knee kicker for the last two steps where it curves. Has anyone else found the knee kicker gives better control on tight turns like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

campbell.logan24d ago

Knee kicker for the last two steps where it curves" - that's exactly where I wonder if the power stretcher is even worth messing with. On a tight turn like that, doesn't the power stretcher's head just want to slide out of place or pop the carpet off the tack strip? I've only tried the knee kicker on stairs so far, never dared to bring the big one up there.

skyler_white24d ago

Actually, that "pop the carpet off the tack strip" part you mentioned is EXACTLY what I used to worry about. I honestly thought the power stretcher was overkill for any stairs with curves. But then I watched a buddy of mine do a curved staircase and he used the power stretcher on those last two steps and it blew my mind. He put the head at an angle and used a smaller tail piece so it didn't slide around. I totally changed my mind after seeing how much tighter it pulled the carpet compared to my knee kicker. So now I'd say go for it but just be careful with your angle and use a short tail so it doesn't pop off the tack strip.