Streching the Felt

R

rackcracker

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I have just aquired an 8 foot Leisure Bay 1 inch 3 piece slate furniture type table. They paid someone to take it down while they recovered the floor and then decided to let it go. There were maybe 10 staples removed, then they cut the felt pretty close 1/4 inch above the staples. The cloth looks good (not faded at all) and I need to reuse it. I don't know how tight it was, but can see where one of the slate seams was on the back, not sealed i guess. Think I can stretch it far enough to use it again? If not can a border be sewn around the edges to staple too? Money dictates that I to do the install myself and will probably be moving it again in a few months. Any thoughts or help greatly appreciated. Thanks Don
 
rackcracker said:
I have just aquired an 8 foot Leisure Bay 1 inch 3 piece slate furniture type table. They paid someone to take it down while they recovered the floor and then decided to let it go. There were maybe 10 staples removed, then they cut the felt pretty close 1/4 inch above the staples. The cloth looks good (not faded at all) and I need to reuse it. I don't know how tight it was, but can see where one of the slate seams was on the back, not sealed i guess. Think I can stretch it far enough to use it again? If not can a border be sewn around the edges to staple too? Money dictates that I to do the install myself and will probably be moving it again in a few months. Any thoughts or help greatly appreciated. Thanks Don
Click to expand...

Chances are it wasn't installed all that tight in the first place so yes, you should be able to stretch it even more to re-install it.

Glen
 
Test Stretch

Do a test stretch on it. Tack it on one end and go to the other and pull and see where it hits. Be careful as you stretch to not rip the cloth around the rail bolt holes that were cut through the cloth (do not use these to pull for leverage). You will need to get a uniform stretch out of it (read that the same stretch side to side and end to end) so your side pockets line up if they were notched for the initial install. Good luck.
 
Stretching the Felt

rackcracker,

You would do well to purchase a tool known as a "canvas stretcher". It is a pair of pliers with clamping jaws about 2 1/2 inches wide. Since your cloth is short, you will have a hard time gripping it for the stretch without some mechanical aid.

I bought my pair from the art section in the local Michael's craft store. Cost me about $25.00, but it was money well spent. Using that tool, plus some generous advice from the pros here on Talk to a Mechanic, I recovered my table twice with no stretch problems.

Good luck to you.

jfred
 
restretching is never a problem with stapled bed cloths. I suggest starting at the side pockets. If you overstretch in the beginning you may come up short at the end, be careful.
 
Thanks for all the help so far. I had seen a web video of a guy (artist I think) setting up his first table using a cue ball for a level and the canvas pliers to stretch the felt. Are those pliers what most of the for real mechanics use to re-strech felt? Any other alternatives?
 
Orchard supply sells vise-grip 3" wide pliers for about$ 20.00 .you may need to file corners sometimes are sharp. Do a search for mechanics tools or unusal tools about 6-8 months ago several good pictures.

Craig
 
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