What is this called....and where can I get one?

[Antipodes]

I got one of these wonderful tools when I did an upholstery course in Denmark many years ago. It's for getting upholstery tacks out with comparative ease, I've used it extensively for years....and now it's broken.

Now I've taken this to Bunnings and a couple of places I thought might have a clue one only to be met by blank looks. Any ideas where I might be able to get one?

The other thing is, because I did my learnin' in Denmark I only know the Danish terms - this one is a called a "koben" (literally: cow's leg) which is not going to get me very far fronting up to my local upholstery supplier. What's the damned thing called in English?

And you'll see it was made by Stanley....I've scoured all Stanley homepages since then and never seen anything like it.

[DavidG]

It is a Stanley Thrifty 400 screwdriver which has been modified to suit.

You could use a dremel tool to make your own by slotting a screwdriver blade.

[ian]

I think it's a tack lifter or tack claw possibly home made
New one in OZ? well I don't know

Lee Valley sell one Tack Claw - Lee Valley Tools (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=57632&cat=1,250,57657,57632) so you could try Carb-a-tec
http://www.leevalley.com/US/images/item/woodworking/assorted/36k0230i.jpg

[1canetoad]

I just checked, Pageham upholstry had them in their online store
Ben

[Antipodes]

The original one was home-made? That explains a lot. Thanks so much for letting me know what's it's called. Trying to dsecribe it is insane. Also useful with the links to various suppliers I had no idea about. Any fantastic upholstery supplies places in central-ish Sydney?

And in my googling, I saw this Japanese tool which looks like a good and versatile approximation.

Japanese Nail Pullers : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/japanese-nail-pullers_c6100)

Anyone got or used one of these?

And does anyone have experience with Nolan UDA. Do they just sell to trade?

[ian]

... in my googling, I saw this Japanese tool which looks like a good and versatile approximation.

Japanese Nail Pullers : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/japanese-nail-pullers_c6100)

Anyone got or used one of these?I've got the cat's paw version some where.

It's a useful tool -- but from memory the nail puller might be a little large for upholstry tacks

[Antipodes]

Cool, thanks. Hard to tell from a photo.

[Lawry01]

Available from Padghams, and also DIY Upholstery )on line , email Ross..very helpful)