carpet tacks vs staples?

mm4pool

mm4pool

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
First off, I am not a table mechanic and I did not stay at the holiday inn express last night. I am currently waiting on Shane aka Cuephoric to come recover my crappy old table. As part of our agreement I am stripping down the table and I thought pulling staples. Low and behold whoever set up the table used carpet tacks instead of staples or glue, was this a common practice back in the early 80's? The table is a 1979 model Brunswick Windsor.

Thanks for any responses,

Mike

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Tacks vs staples

mm4pool said:
First off, I am not a table mechanic and I did not stay at the holiday inn express last night. I am currently waiting on Shane aka Cuephoric to come recover my crappy old table. As part of our agreement I am stripping down the table and I thought pulling staples. Low and behold whoever set up the table used carpet tacks instead of staples or glue, was this a common practice back in the early 80's? The table is a 1979 model Brunswick Windsor.

Thanks for any responses,

Mike

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I wouldn't say it was common in the 80s, but it was common way before that. The really 'old school' guys would often take a handful of those tacks and put them in their mouth, then spit them out one at a time and do the cloth with a tack hammer. You probably didn't want to swallow too many of those. Thank god for the invention of the stapler. I was doing an antique brunswick one time and the guy wanted me to do the 'tack method' so it would be more 'authentic'. Not a chance:)
 
tacks

Those tacks can be a real pain to remove....kinda figure on taking your time and try not chewing up the wood while removing the tacks from the rail....
those old tables take more time,
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Rob.M
 
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Well i was able to get all of the tacks out with little or no damage to the wood. used a 6 in 1 painters tool, went under the cloth and pried them right out. all set and ready for Shane to work his magic.

Mike
 
I am astounded that the particle board subrails have survived 31 years, or are they plywood? Either way, they have outlived their expectancy.
 
You hardly see tacks they lead the way we still do tables today as in certain techniques used. The only time I use tacks are when the power is out and I dont want to make another long trip so I tack the rails and glue the bed.

Good to see that style every now and then.

Craig
 
I walked away from a Centennial because tacks had ruined the wood right behind the feather strip at all pockets. Sometimes making them like they used too is not a good thing.
 
Dead Crab said:
I am astounded that the particle board subrails have survived 31 years, or are they plywood? Either way, they have outlived their expectancy.
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they are particle board and appeared to still be in good shape. got lucky i guess.

Mike
 
Crash said:
I walked away from a Centennial because tacks had ruined the wood right behind the feather strip at all pockets. Sometimes making them like they used too is not a good thing.
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Good thing we can fix all that chewed up wood now. (thanks Glen)
 
Shane's table work

Well I am pleased to say that Shane (aka cuephoric) has completed his work on my table. I want to thank him immensely for his attention to detail even though he didnt have much to work with. The first time he came over was to pick up the rails and take them to his shop to reglue the rubbers and cover them. When he showed up to cover and complete the table he took his time, spent more time than I thought needed to try to level the table, come to find out I have a slight warp to the slate. Still he got the table rolling good. Shane did an outstanding job stretching and installing the cloth, not a ripple or shadow to be seen. All of this when he was running late for a scheduled meeting with a truck 3 hours from my house. He didnt rush or try to get out quick, I am very pleased with his work and glad I got to meet him. Thanks Buddy!


Mike
 
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