Furniture Upholstering Tools

Removing Fabric

• A tack, staple or nail remover is used to remove nails from old upholstery. The end of the remover can slide under the head of the tacks to pull them out of the furniture. Nail pliers can be used for stubborn tacks as well.

  Sharp knives are useful for removing old upholstery fabric. A sharp knife also can be used to remove old webbing.

  A wooden or rubber mallet can be used to knock out glued joints or even a chair seat, when necessary.

Preparing the Furniture

• Pliers and wire cutters are used to hold broken springs for repair.

  A webbing stretcher allows you to hold webbing so that you can pull the webbing tight and close to the frame.

  Heavy duty scissors are essential for cutting the heavier upholstery fabric

  A sharp knife or electric knife is sufficient for cutting the thick replacement foam for your furniture. There are tools designed specifically for the purpose, but knives are typically suitable.

  A wood clamp may be used to hold pieces together if it's necessary to glue any wood pieces.

Upholstery

• An upholstery stapler is used to secure fabric to the furniture. An air stapler is the recommended type for upholstery. It requires an air compressor and may be more of an investment than you will want to make for a single upholstery project. A heavy duty stapler or a tack hammer with upholstery tacks can be used if you do not have a stapler.

  An upholstery sewing machine is a heavy duty machine. It is not necessary to purchase one unless you are planning to do a lot of upholstering. Heavy duty needles can be used with a regular machine for any seaming that needs to be done.

  A magnetic tack hammer is one of the most useful upholstery tools. It is magnetized to pick up and hold tacks and nails. It is used to hammer tacks into the furniture. If you are using decorative tacks, you can purchase a nylon-tipped hammer so that tacks are not damaged.

  A selection of needles will be needed for sewing various parts of your upholstery. Strong needles are needed, including darning needles, curved needles and button needles.