I switched from a power stretcher to a knee kicker for most jobs and people think I'm crazy

For a decade, I used a Roberts 75-500 power stretcher on every single install, thinking it was the only 'proper' way. About two years ago, on a small, awkward bathroom job in a 1920s bungalow, I was forced to use just my knee kicker and realized I got a tighter, cleaner seam in the corner. Now I only break out the big stretcher for wide open spaces over 15 feet. Anyone else find the power stretcher can be overkill sometimes?

2 comments

2 Comments

nathana481mo ago

My old boss swore by his power stretcher, but I haven't used mine on a job under 20 feet in years. The kicker just gives you more feel for the corner work.

the_zara1mo ago

Sounds like @nathana48's boss had a weird love affair with that stretcher lol.