how do you get the cords right on a corded metal rail

by farrell cohen
(manchester)

I have bought a metal corded pull string rail. It has been fitted and i cant get the cords right ie, the cords are about ten ft long and the curtains are not closing corrcetly. have I done something wrong ? please help

Hi Farrell

Don't worry to much these kind of tracks are very simple. I suspect you have one of the expanding metal curtain tracks (traverse rod).

You have to cut the cords shorter once fitted but before you do that you need to set up the carriers on the track. One of these will have the overlap arm screwed to it. They should meet in the midddle when you pull the cord. Then they should push your curtains back into the open position.

The problem starts when you expand the track to fit your size window. It throws things out so the carriers don't meet in the midle any more. So how do you sort this out.

Well you have the secondary carrier usually without an arm. On the back of this you will see the cord runs across the back out of one hole and back into another hole. You need to tease the cord out a little here.

Then you need to pull the control cords to make both carriers move to each end of your track. You will find one carrier goes all the way back and the other usually the one with out the arm stop before it goes all the way back.

The job now is to keep hold of the control cords with one hand (or someone hold them for you). Then push the carrier back to the end of the track. The cord neads to stay still while you do this. You will probably need to keep teasing the cord out of the back of the carrier to get it to stack all the way back.

Once you have both the carriers at each end of your track. The next job is to tease the cords out the back of the carrier you just moved into position. You then twist the cord one turn and push over a little hook you will find on the back of the carrier. This locks it in position.

Now you need to shorten your pull cords to the right length. You now need to go to the other carrier this usually has an arm screwed to it. You will find two cord ends with knots on pocking out the back. You need to pull one of these cords. You will find one pulls out a lot easier then the other. I can't remember which one so just try and see. Then pull out the free running cord and keep pulling until the control cords are at the right length.

Then finally tie a single knot in the cord right at the top behind the carrier. Then pull the control cords to test whether the carriers open and close into the right positions. If they do then cut the long cord you pulled out short leaving 2 or 3 inches.

Thats it I hope it makes enough sense to you to sort this problem out. I am going to make a mini video for my site showing how to do this very soon.


Best regards

Lee