I came here from the Baumgartner Restoration, where he spits tacks to stretch a 100-year-old canvas. kzread.info/dash/bejne/nHyXraSDZNa-dcY.html (it's at 26:00) I thought he was joking when he put a handful of tacks in his mouth, I didn't realize that it was actually a thing until he started actually spitting tacks

Thanks for this! 71 and still learnin.

Third generation upholster here. Have known probably 20-30 upholsters through out the years. Most all spit tacks. Inevitable, to swallow one now and then. The consensus is. That once in the stomach. Stomach acids round off the sharp edge. Causing no harm on the way out. Must be true. Neither I, nor anyone I know of. Ever had a problem. That could be traced to swollowing a tack. The staple gun has certainly taking over the trade. Much better in so many ways. However, I still like to baste most of fabric on with tacks. Before switching to the gun to finish off. Back in the 1970's A Russian immigrant worked at our shop for a while. He was a upholster in Russia. He wore a magnet on his belt. It would hold a bunch of tacks. He could grab one. Stick it where he wanted it. Drive it in. Fast a lightening. Very strange I remember thinking.

My grandfather was an upholsterer. I remember watching him do this. It was amazing to watch especially for a child. I don't know if he ever used 3 different tacks but I did see him do 2. And he was pretty fast, too. When he ran outta tacks he'd just dip the tip of the hammer into the box and collect some more tacks then load them straight into his mouth and keep going. Fun times!

Who cares about spitting tacks? My man shot a fly out the air with a staple!! Seriously though.. awesome video flawlessly demonstrating a trick of the trade I had no idea about. Brought here by my great grandfather's Craftsman 3803 "professional upholsterer" I believe to be from the 50s or early 60's and it's still magnetized! I didn't even know what it was till today. Thanks for your demonstration!

The cotton tip alone was worth a thumbs up.

I had no idea spiting tacks was a literal thing. That's pretty cool, thanks for posting this.

hahaha in my sharp shooting days, there was a fly buzzing around me and he landed on the wall which was covered in foam, one shot from 4ft away and I pinned him right to the wall! :) ...Very interesting vid, this is one technique I think I will leave to the "old timers" tho!

That was great. And I've seen tack spitters way quicker than machines. Plus having 3 different tacks at once a is a plus.

Thanks for the Clip

Yes, when I started back in 1970, I didn't know people were using staple guns and we were taught spitting tacks was the only way. A trained tongue, they called it.

I’m in UK and my Tutor showed us this , I remember trying it myself.

so what kind of automatic feed pneumatic decorative tack tool would you recommend for the home user?

I just ordered a CS Osborne. It’s got the split end that is magnetized. I was expecting the bigger end to be magnetized. I’m stretching some massive acoustical decorative panels in a historic courthouse I’m helping restore. Currently staples are approved but i may be persuading them to do tacks for a more genuine hair if look. I don’t plan on spitting tacks lol. Anyhow…so what do you do…set the tack and then flip the hammer around to drive it home?

I’m so trying this

If you swallow the text they must be income tax

Hmm, I’m pretty sure all pneumatic staplers and nail guns have a safety switch to not allow the gun to be fired unless the switch is firmly pressed against the workpiece.

@shadow-wulf

3 жыл бұрын

its easily defeated by people who wished to go faster, not recommending that, just saying

I wanted to use tacks because I cannot afford a pneumatic staple gun and the electric staple gun has been difficult-with the pointed end staples seem too short to hold in areas of layers. The longer staples have flat ends and I end up crushing the staples and they barely go in. For home upholstery do you think tacks would be better for me; one at a time from the box (not concerned about speed or spitting)?

@BroadwayUpholsterySchool

5 жыл бұрын

Tacks would your only alternative in this case If you have the time!

My Dad upholstered all his life and spit tacked.

The first thing I thought of was ruining my teeth! Haha. I can see it now: practicing & whacking my front teeth with the hammer. How would I ever explain that to my dentist. Lol. (Of course, I’m only kidding around).

I've bought vintage upholstery tacks, with the label saying they are sterilized. Obviously for the spitters' health. I'll not try it, thanks. I was taught with tacks and magnetic hammer. Just spill out some on the table and pick them up and put them in. No sweat.

I'm looking for a non split end tack hammer mainly for hammering small nails where a standard hammer would be too large. What brand is the hammer you are using? Thanks

Dentist!

My uncle told me back in his day. They would just get proficient in holding the tacks in one hand in between their fingers,and then just grab the tacks with the magnetic tip.That way he could use his fingertips to hold the upholstery.Then a quick tap to place it; followed up with another to finish. Now I thought he was full of it,but he claimed to be able to place 12 in a straight line in less then 6 seconds. Now he's been retired. So I was like yeah right,and said I'll kiss your fat ass if you can;now I'm now on my way to CVS for some more mouthwash. The moral of the story people; is that old people have big,smelly asses. So don't bet them if you can't win! Damn. LoL I hope you found this funny,and it made you laugh,or smile. Now your ready to tackle the day!

A good way to get poisoned

@BroadwayUpholsterySchool

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Mike, Actually the tacks come sterilized thus the blue color, I would not spit tacks today and certainly not used tacks, Thanks !