Quilt Basting Gun User Tips

Good to Know

Quilt Basting Gun User Tips 

IMG_5024

QuilTak replaces pins-needle & thread-traditional attaching methods.  It’s uses are only limited by your imagination.

  • Attach rings-make pleats-secure layers of fabric
  • Great for temporary basting or permanent applications
  • Insert directly through fabric into foam for secure long lasting fit

QuilTak has Strong nylon fasteners-Rainbow, Clear. and Black

Some of QuilTak’s customers over the last 25 years have used it for repairing sails on a sail boat.  Wrapping sheets around tender plants to prevent frost damage.  Ballet companies have used it to do alterations for costumes.  Costumers have used QuilTak to do all sorts of temporary alterations on clothing and costumes.  Drapery rooms have used it to make valences, bedskirts, draperies, create pillow coverings and upholster couches.  There is no limit to QuilTak’s usefulness in your home, studio or sewing basket.

Problems??  Check out these ideas first.

Internal view of the QuilTak quilt basting tool.Under no circumstances should you, or any well-meaning individual, remove the 4 screws that hold the tool together. .  (Unless you want to risk springs and parts flying around the house).  In most circumstances we can talk you through problems with the tool without sending it in for repair.

QuilTak Brand?? Are you using the correct brand Taks and needle for your tool?  QuilTak Taks and the QuilTak replacement needle are the only brand that will work in the QuilTak tool.

  • The Taks are moisture sensitive.  They can loose, or gather moisture.  We suggest storing them in the original sealed zip lock bag.
  • Too Dry: The Taks tend to break off before they get through the fabric.Solution:  Place them in a sealed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel for two days.
  • Too Moist:  The tool tends to jam and/or cutter isn’t cutting Taks.  (It’s actually bending the Tak strip instead of cutting it.)
    Solution:  Remove Taks from package and allow to air dry (in a dry place) for two days.

The QuilTak needle must have space under the quilt layers in order for the tool to eject the taks.

IMPORTANT-Release the gun trigger all the way before removing the needle from the quilt—this will prevent most jamming occurrences.

If a jam occurs:  The needle will need to be removed. Follow the instructions below for REPLACING THE NEEDLE.

If the needle won’t come out easily, (step 2) it may be bent. Use needle nose pliers and gently pull the needle out of the housing. Once the needle is removed, the basting gun trigger should snap back into position. Clear the channel of the needle with a straight pin. Check to make sure you have not bent the ejector rod, (the rod that goes through the needle) by looking straight at the nose of the tool through the hole where the needle goes. The rod should be straight and in the middle of the housing, not bent in any way. If the rod is straight, reinsert a needle and you are ready to baste. If the ejector rod is bent, the tool will need to be replaced. Send the tool with a check for $15 and we will send you a replacement.

Needle Replacement Instructions:

img_6105

  1. With needle pointing away from you, flip the white plastic needle lock so that it points toward the needle tip.
  2. Gently pull the needle out of its socket. If it doesn’t come out easily, adjust needle lock slightly up or down, until the needle pulls out easily.
  3. Insert the replacement needle into the socket. Line the channel on the needle up with the channel on the tool.
  4. Flip the needle lock back toward the tool, and you are ready to QuilTak again.
  5. When the needle is not in it’s channel, there is an “ejector rod” that can be seen by squeezing the trigger. Do not try to pull this out.  This part is used to scoot the taks through the needle channel.

img_6103

 

img_6104

If you continue to have problems, call our toll free number. We are able to talk you through 99% of all problems experienced without having to send your tool in for repair—–as long as you have not unscrewed the screws on the tool.

 

How to load a stip of Taks into the QuilTak tool:

img_6105

Taks load from the top of the tool and the spine of the taks is pushed down through the round hole in the top of the tool.  Just gently insert the strip of Taks into the hole shown above.  You may hear a “click” with some strips, and others will not.

img_6106 img_6107

 

A GRID FOR BASTING ON HARD SURFACES

We have had a lot of questions about using a grid under your quilt project for the QuilTak tool.  We used to carry a product that worked well, but we had major problems with shipping them without damage.  The product was similar to a florescent light diffuser panel that can be purchased at a Hardware store.  Usually in a 2×4 foot sheet- sometimes larger sheets are available. However, this grid is not quite deep enough to insure that the needle doesn’t hit the hard surface and become damaged. Here’s what we did.

I

I cut my 2×4 foot sheet in half with these pliers.  Then stacked them on top of each other and attached bar locks to the sides to hold them together.  This makes a nice deep grid to use the the tool so that the needle doesn’t get dinged by hitting your hard surface.  Some folks have gone a step further and attached long cords to the sides and lay them out before layering the quilt.  This makes it so you can pull the cords and move it around under your project easier.  I usually just scoot it around with a yardstick.  Hope this makes your Basting easier.  Grins,, Bari

HAPPY BASTING ;-))

Bari’s Book of Quilt Basting & Batting Basics now FREE with orders of $60!Shop Now!
+