Tack Driver

[tabascoz28]

I wanted to know where that term came from, came across this blog. Today, someone would put it in video form and try to monetize it.

https://www.theboxotruth.com/box-o-truth-59-rifle-tack-driver/

[Flintlock Tom]

I remember reading his blog several years ago, but had forgotten about it. Thank you for reminding me.

Don't know where the term came from, sorry.

[divingin]

Tack driver, as far as I am aware (haven't read the referenced article yet) is an upholstery term. Upholstery (fabric covering furniture) is secured using a bunch of tacks. Using a normal hammer leaves hammer head marks in the wood, so upholsterers use a tack hammer (aka upholstery hammer) - a long thin head, with the striking face a little larger than the tack head itself. Needless to say, it takes a bit of practice to get to point where you can drive home, say, thirty tacks in a minute without missing one. Hence, a tack driver is someone who is accurate in driving tacks home.

[tabascoz28]

I'd just put the tack hammer on the tack and hammer it with the larger hammer. But I guess when you're doing a few hundred/thousand a day as a skilled worker you get good at it.

[BillSmith]

tabascoz-

The skill is an amazing one. Father was an upholsterer so I can relate a few facts...

One end of the hammer was magnetized. Allows the worker to dip the end into a box of tacks, then drop the accumulated mass of tacks into his mouth.

An individual tack is worked between lips presenting the head of tack. As the hammer recoils from driving the tack holding fabric to frame, the hammerhead is drawn so quickly to the tiny magnetic head that you'd think the worker was crazed and from a distance would appear that they are smacking the face repeatedly...at speed.

The worker can drive the tack at varying depths. Full force for permanent position, but also deftly driving the tack in more shallow fashion and on angle, to allow quick removal when pre-stretching sections of fabric. Back end (big end) tapped along the temporary tack line. Something that can't be done readily with the pneumatic staple guns that are used.

Dad was unbelievably fast, accurate and skilled. Helped him with his side jobs, but I never dipped.

[tabascoz28]

Bill and Divin, that's the info I was actually looking for and got sidetracked by that other article... Very cool!

[Calif Hunter]

I once saw a movie set in the muzzleloader period and they were having a shooting contest with the goal of hitting tacks in a tree trunk to determine the winner. I have no idea if that is fact or fiction.

[MyOdessa]

I'd just put the tack hammer on the tack and hammer it with the larger hammer.