My power stretcher calibration was off for 6 months without me knowing

Finally figured out why my seams kept splitting in new builds around Phoenix. Took a level to my power stretcher base plate and it was bent by 3/32nds from dropping it on concrete. Anybody else ever check theirs for flatness?

3 comments

3 Comments

verar2122d agoTop Commenter

Man I felt that pain when I finally found the issue. I started checking my base plate with a straightedge every few months after I ruined a whole master bedroom in Surprise. Took a hard drop off the tailgate and it was bent just enough to give me a 1/16th gap on one corner. I keep a machinist square in my truck now just for checking it before every big job. Saves a ton of headache when you catch it early.

the_holly22d ago

Totally agree with @verar21 on catching it early. That straightedge check is a lifesaver. I started doing the same thing after a similar headache with a floor that just wouldn't lay flat. Found out the hard way that even a tiny 1/16th gap can snowball into a nightmare once you get a few rows deep. I keep a 6 foot level in my truck now just for that, and it's saved me more times than I can count.

reesemiller22d ago

Yep that 6 foot level trick has saved me from plenty of headaches too.