Fitting grille cloth?

robgilmo

I just realised, I dont have a staple gun! Any tips, tricks?

munckee

Get a staple gun. You'll end up getting one. Just do it. 

ICBM

munckee said:

Get a staple gun. You'll end up getting one. Just do it. 

This. And 8mm staples.

And a pin hammer if you don't have one, since the staple gun often doesn't drive them fully tight.

robgilmo

One of these do the job?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb515stp-15mm-electric-nailer-stapler-240v/99925

Or a cheap hand powered one?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stapler-nailer/10110#product_additional_details_container


I have read people use a hair dryer to tighten it up a little, there isnt any need for that surely?

munckee

I e done it a few times with a hand staple gun with no problems. Didn't use a hairdryer. It's not too hard, try retolexing!!

robgilmo

munckee said:

I e done it a few times with a hand staple gun with no problems. Didn't use a hairdryer. It's not too hard, try retolexing!!

Is that a yoga type thing? I dont think its going to be so bad I need to do some yoga first, do I? I take it stretching it isnt a good idea either? Ive reupholstered chairs before and had to stretch the fabric like buggery.

munckee

What sort of cloth is it? I did it with oxblood and a plain cotton type cloth and didn't stretch it just stapled one side then the other then the top then the bottom. 

robgilmo

Its pretty much the same thing thats on there, its like a plastic type thing, its not cotton. I suppose if its tight it will be all right. Did you double over the parts that the staple goes through to give it more to grip?

munckee

No but logically that sounds a good idea. The oxblood was too thick. 

robgilmo

Ah, this stuff is a fairly loose weave and quite thin, its strong but fragile at the same time.

munckee

robgilmo said:

Ah, this stuff is a fairly loose weave and quite thin, its strong but fragile at the same time.

Like me.  Should be fine to double, pull it reasonably tight but not so tight you distort it. 

Bygone_Tones

No you don't need a hairdryer or a water sprayer, that is internet forum nonsense. There are some crap tutorials online too that show the wrong technique. It takes a bit of practise to get right but is not too difficult. The hard part is setting the right amount of tension in the material (thats where the hairdryer & water nonsense comes from, because people do it wrong).

Staple all 4 corners down first (2 or 3 staples per corner edge), you will always have a perfectly straight grill cloth if you do it this way. Any other method and you are likely to have corners that bend off and look wonky.

Staple along the side edges last, keeping the thread in line with the baffle edge, and this tightens up the material.