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Specialist Upholstery Tools and Workshop Accessories
Shop specialist upholstery tools and workshop accessories for furniture manufacturing, reupholstery, cushion making, sewing, spring work and general furniture repair. This category brings together useful equipment that does not sit naturally within one of the larger cutting, measuring, pneumatic or hand-tool departments.
The range includes:
- Sewing-machine oil
- Cushion ventilators and fitting tools
- Adjustable wrenches
- Traditional webbing stretchers
- Castor-socket removal equipment
- A zip-slider fitting jig
- A spring-end forming tool
- A decorative-nail placer
- Woodworking saws
- An upholsterer’s apron
Each product performs a specific job, so choose according to the furniture component, material and working method involved.
Sewing-Machine Care
125ml Sewing-Machine Oil
125ml Sewing-Machine Oil is intended for lubricating suitable sewing-machine mechanisms and other compatible moving metal parts.
Correct lubrication can help reduce friction between moving components and support smoother operation.
Before applying oil:
- Check the sewing-machine manufacturer’s instructions
- Identify the approved lubrication points
- Remove loose thread, dust and fibres
- Use only a small controlled amount
- Keep oil away from fabric and sewing thread
- Wipe away any excess before sewing
Do not apply oil indiscriminately throughout the machine. Some modern sewing machines contain sealed or self-lubricating components that should not be oiled by the user.
Test the machine on scrap fabric after lubrication to make sure no oil transfers onto the finished upholstery material.
Browse Upholstery Sewing Threads & Bobbins for bonded nylon, corespun, monofilament and overlocking threads used in furniture and cushion-cover production.
Cushion Ventilators and Setting Tools
Cushion ventilators allow air to move through suitable mattresses, cushions and fitted covers as the interior is compressed and released.
The current system includes:
- ¾″ Solid-Brass Cushion Ventilator
- C.S. Osborne No.245 13mm Ventilator Hole Punch
- C.S. Osborne No.621 ¾″ Ventilator Setting Tool
These products form one associated fitting system.
¾″ Cushion Ventilator
The ¾″ Cushion Ventilator is manufactured as a one-piece solid-brass component.
Potential applications include suitable:
- Seat cushions
- Mattresses
- Upholstered pads
- Plastic slip covers
- Covers where controlled air movement is required
The ventilator should be positioned where it will not:
- Be felt by the user
- Rub against the furniture frame
- Damage the cushion interior
- Interfere with a zip or seam
- Become visually intrusive
The surrounding material must be suitable for punching and setting without tearing.
C.S. Osborne No.245 Hole Punch
The C.S. Osborne No.245 Hole Punch has a 13mm hardened cutting edge and is suitable for punching compatible leather and fabric.
It can be used to prepare the opening required for the ventilator.
Use the punch on a suitable protected cutting surface and keep its edge perpendicular to the material.
A cleanly punched opening helps the ventilator sit more evenly than an irregular hole cut with general-purpose scissors or a knife.
C.S. Osborne No.621 Setting Tool
The C.S. Osborne No.621 Ventilator Setting Tool is designed for fitting the ¾″ ventilator and retaining ring.
Use it with a suitable Upholstery Hammer or Mallet on a stable working surface.
The tool supports the ventilator while controlled taps close the retaining assembly around the covering material.
Check the completed fitting for:
- Secure retention
- Even seating
- Sharp or raised edges
- Fabric damage
- Correct alignment
Upholstery Webbing Stretchers
Webbing stretchers help apply controlled tension to suitable furniture webbing before it is fixed to the frame.
The current range includes:
Browse Upholstery Webbing for jute, elasticated, polypropylene and rubber-webbing systems.
Beech Peg-and-Slot Webbing Stretcher
The Beech Webbing Stretcher is a traditional peg-and-slot design manufactured from beech.
Its published specifications include:
- Suitable for flexible webbing up to 50mm wide
- Approximately 280mm long
- Approximate weight of 290g
The webbing passes through the slot and around the peg, allowing the tool to grip the material while tension is applied against the furniture frame.
It may be used with compatible:
- Jute webbing
- Elasticated webbing
- Polypropylene webbing
- Other flexible furniture webbing up to the stated width
The correct tension depends on the webbing type and furniture construction.
C.S. Osborne No.869P Spiked Webbing Stretcher
The C.S. Osborne No.869P Webbing Stretcher uses spikes to grip suitable upholstery webbing.
The hard plastic body is grooved at the end to help locate the tool against the furniture frame while the material is stretched.
A spiked stretcher is particularly associated with suitable traditional furniture webbing.
Take care not to:
- Tear the webbing with excessive pressure
- Damage the frame edge
- Overstretch elasticated material
- Place hands in front of the spikes
- Allow the tool to slip during tensioning
Browse Jute Upholstery Webbing for traditional seat and back foundations.
Browse Elasticated & Polypropylene Webbing for suitable modern furniture support.
After tensioning, fix the webbing using the method appropriate to the material and frame, including compatible Upholstery Staples or Upholstery Tacks.
Adjustable Workshop Wrenches
The range includes:
Both are manufactured from heat-treated, drop-forged steel with a satin finish and cushioned grip.
Adjustable wrenches are useful for suitable:
- Furniture bolts
- Castor fittings
- Leg fixings
- Workshop equipment
- Compressor and airline fittings
- General furniture assembly
The 6″ wrench provides a more compact option for restricted spaces and smaller fixings.
The 8″ wrench provides additional handle length and jaw capacity for larger compatible nuts and fittings.
Adjust the jaws closely around the fixing before applying force. A loose fit can round the nut or allow the wrench to slip.
Browse Furniture Feet & Castors for furniture legs, castors and associated floor-contact components.
Browse Compressors, Air Lines & Fittings for pneumatic-workshop connections where a compatible wrench may be required.
Castor-Socket Removal Tool
The C.S. Osborne No.87 Castor-Socket Removal Tool uses a hardened threaded end and slide-hammer action.
The threaded end screws into a compatible furniture-castor socket. The slide hammer then applies outward impact to help remove the socket from the frame.
This can be useful when:
- Replacing worn castors
- Removing damaged castor sockets
- Restoring older chairs and sofas
- Preparing furniture for replacement feet
- Removing sockets that are difficult to grip externally
Check that the tool’s thread is compatible with the socket before use.
Inspect the surrounding frame timber and avoid applying uncontrolled force to a split or weakened furniture leg.
Browse:
Retain the removed socket where it may be useful for identifying the correct replacement.
Zip-Slider Fitting Jig
The C.S. Osborne No.1014 Zipper Jig securely holds compatible zip sliders while continuous zip chain is fed into them.
It is described as suitable for slider sizes from 2.5 to 10.
The jig can be useful where a workroom regularly prepares:
- Cushion zips
- Loose-cover zips
- Furniture-cover openings
- Soft-furnishing closures
- Repeated lengths of continuous zip
Browse Upholstery Zips, Zip Chain & Sliders for No.3 and No.5 continuous zip and matching sliders.
A fixed jig leaves both hands available to align the two sides of the zip chain and feed them evenly into the slider.
Check that:
- The slider size matches the chain
- Both chain sides enter at the same level
- The zip is not twisted
- The jig holds the slider securely
- The slider is not forced onto incompatible chain
Spring-End Forming Tool
The C.S. Osborne No.404 Spring-End Former is designed to crimp the ends of suitable zigzag seating springs and open-ended coil springs.
The tool can be:
- Bolted to a workbench
- Mounted on a suitable block
- Held securely in a vice
It is supplied with three bolts and nuts.
Browse Zigzag Upholstery Springs for furniture springing materials.
Forming or crimping the spring end can be necessary when preparing a cut spring for its intended clip or furniture connection.
The tool must be secured firmly before force is applied.
Wear suitable eye protection and keep hands clear of the forming area, as spring steel can move suddenly when under pressure.
Decorative-Nail Placer
The C.S. Osborne No.777 Decorative-Nail Placer can hold and position up to five suitable decorative nails head to head.
The tool helps establish consistent spacing while reducing the need to hold each nail directly between the fingers.
Browse:
The nail placer should be removed before the nails are driven fully home.
Use a controlled twisting movement to release it from the partly fitted nails.
Check nail alignment regularly rather than completing a long row before inspecting the spacing.
Furniture and Workshop Saws
The range contains:
Both use hardened and tempered steel blades with induction-hardened teeth.
350mm Hardpoint Saw
The 350mm Hardpoint Saw has a coarser 7tpi tooth pattern for suitable general timber cutting.
Potential workroom applications include:
- Cutting frame timber
- Shortening suitable wooden components
- General furniture repairs
- Preparing simple workshop supports
250mm Hardpoint Tenon Saw
The 250mm Hardpoint Tenon Saw has a finer 12tpi tooth pattern and soft-grip handle.
Its shorter blade and finer teeth make it more suitable for controlled straight cuts and smaller furniture components.
Use either saw only on materials appropriate to its blade.
Secure the workpiece before cutting and keep the cutting line clear of hidden nails, staples and other metal fixings.
Upholsterer’s Apron
The Upholsterer’s Apron provides practical workroom storage for frequently used lightweight tools and small components.
It may help keep items such as:
- Chalk
- Tape measure
- Thread snips
- Pencils
- Small hand tools
- Fasteners
- Zip sliders
within easy reach while moving around a piece of furniture.
Do not carry exposed blades, sharp punches or loose upholstery tacks in an unsuitable open pocket.
Choosing from a Mixed Tool Category
This category contains specialist items rather than a single interchangeable product family.
Choose according to the task:
For sewing-machine maintenance
Use 125ml Sewing-Machine Oil where the machine manufacturer permits user lubrication.
For cushion ventilation
Combine the ¾″ Cushion Ventilator with the matching 13mm Hole Punch and No.621 Setting Tool.
For stretching furniture webbing
Choose the Beech Peg-and-Slot Stretcher or C.S. Osborne Spiked Stretcher according to the webbing and preferred method.
For continuous zips
Use the C.S. Osborne Zipper Jig with compatible zip sliders and chain.
For decorative nails
Use the C.S. Osborne Decorative-Nail Placer with suitable decorative upholstery nails.
For spring preparation
Use the C.S. Osborne Spring-End Former with compatible furniture springs.
Safe Use and Storage
Read and follow any instructions supplied with the individual tool.
Wear suitable protective equipment where the task involves:
- Striking
- Punching
- Cutting
- Spring steel
- Sharp spikes
- Slide hammers
- Timber saws
Store specialist tools so that:
- Cutting edges remain protected
- Spikes cannot be contacted accidentally
- Heavy tools cannot fall from shelves
- Sewing-machine oil remains upright
- Small ventilators and nails remain contained
- Children cannot reach sharp or mechanical equipment
Related Upholstery Tool Categories
Return to the Upholstery Tools hub for the complete equipment range.
Other closely associated departments include:
- Hammers & Mallets
- Measuring & Marking
- Pliers, Stretchers & Pincers
- Knives & Foam Cutters
- Staple Removers, Tack Lifters & Ripping Chisels
Trade Specialist Upholstery Tools
Livedale supplies specialist upholstery tools and workshop accessories to professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, restorers, cushion makers, automotive trimmers and training workshops throughout the UK.
The range covers occasional specialist tasks as well as tools used regularly in furniture and cushion production.
Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.
Select each tool according to its exact application and the furniture material or component being worked on.