doff system / thermatech... does anyone actually own one?

« **on:** March 18, 2014, 09:50:34 pm »

Hi, just wondering what pump is on a doff system or thermatech as I am thinking about building one, I can see that they use and interpump on the doff but which model? can anyone send / text me a photo of one please? also on the thermatech the pump just looks like a small kranzle k7/120. I reckon I could make a brand new one for less than 1500, I just need to know the pressure and flow of the pump to get it right or the model number of the pump or maybe just send me a picture of the pump unit....
Thanks in advance

« **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2014, 07:36:53 am »

Hi Kenny

We own a DOFF - but it is out with the lads at the moment in Berkshire - so I can't help you just yet.

Thermatech and DOFF may be able to be copied - but they have over twenty years experience and both companies do seem to have it right and I am sure they had many problems to overcome along the way and had great expense in "understanding" what does and can go wrong.

We "think" we could build one too - but to be honest rather than sat tinkering around I prefer to use most of my time expanding the business that I am good at.

One thing to consider - why not Hire the Thermatech - Jamie Fairchild will hire you one for around £250 per week and you will get the chance to see it for yourself first hand - just a thought - Good Luck!

« **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2014, 07:39:22 pm »

Darren, How do you rate the Doff . Between the Doff & Therma Tech System what was the advantages over the other . Appreciate your opinion . Thanks Ed

« **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2014, 08:14:07 pm »

Hi
We own the Doff - and basically it is the design of the guy who now makes the much improved Thermatech

I have seen the Thermatech in action and without any doubt we will buy one of these at some point - it is better than the Doff in a few ways.
1. More Compact
2. Has 4 proper wheels
3. Some parts seem more robust

Doff charge a fortune for any parts - they even file off the serial numbers on the nozzles in the hope you wont buy from elsewhere - they are only about £3 from other suppliers but they charge from memory about £11 (not 100% sure but totally rip off) Plus point is - phone an order through you normally receive next day and invoice comes later on in life.........

The machine often needs bits screwing back together here and there
The plus side to Doff - if you buy their machines they will then hire you more if you need any - they also pass on customers who enquire through their website - we've had 4 or 5 this past 12 months

The gentleman who makes the Thermatech - is very knowledgeable and will give you answers how to remove almost any type of stain from lots of types of surfaces - he really is a great guy.

« **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2014, 08:29:20 pm »

Just to clarify.

Bits fall off
There are engineering issues
They rip people off
They will advise you once they have your money.

Mmmmmmmmmm............. let me think about this!!!!

Rob

« **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2014, 08:46:53 pm »

Quote from: M-CLEAN UK LTD on March 27, 2014, 08:29:20 pm

Just to clarify.

Bits fall off
There are engineering issues
They rip people off
They will advise you once they have your money.

Mmmmmmmmmm............. let me think about this!!!!

Rob

It's not about the machine..it's about whats specified.
Now that has changed ...The young mister Crow is a tosser.
Stonhealth (in my opinion) is on it's way out. I was trained by stonehealth in the use of both their systems and I can't hire one as I never bought one from them.

« **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2014, 08:50:20 pm »

Expand a bit more. Not sure the point there Chris.

Rob

« **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2014, 09:02:21 pm »

Quote from: M-CLEAN UK LTD on March 27, 2014, 08:50:20 pm

Expand a bit more. Not sure the point there Chris.

Rob

The only machine that was specified for cleaning historic stonework was the doff or TORC system by Stonehealth. It was a glorified steam cleaner...low flow,low pressure,high temperature. Kills organic growth,reduces freeze thaw damage,excellent for stripping paint.
Why you need it for cleaning cladding ...I don't know. I suppose its Because Reece specifies it

If you cleaned stonework the architect specified DOFF ..end of. They had the Market shown up.
Now the spec is rapidly becoming Thermatech. Jamie fairchild produces the Thermatech he is "the Man" that knows more than anybody I know about cleaning stonework. Jamie was "the man" at Stonehealth for years.
Brian crow's (stonehealth owner) son has now become heavily involved in the running of Stoneheath...he is an absolute tosser (for legal reasons this is mine and only my opinion).

« **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2014, 09:07:50 pm »

Darren, really appreciate your input. I have spoke to both companies before and Doff confirmed it was a family member who set up the therma tech system. Interesting to know that the Doff has some negatives even though it is more expensive than the Therma. I have an external supermarket clean coming up and will give the therma a try on a hire (Doff wasn't interested in a hire ) as you have mentioned unless you buy one first.
Darren, do you rate this method of cleaning on cladding rather than your PW & hotbox setup ? Ed

« **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2014, 09:15:06 pm »

How much are they?

Ed what do you want one for?

Rob

« **Reply #10 on:** March 27, 2014, 09:51:40 pm »

Rob , the Therma £5395 + vat , Doff 110v £6993 inc vat , the 240v was slightly cheaper. Gone round in circles with regard to hotboxes. This system ticks all the boxes for a more variety of external cleans without a high water feed . Ed

« **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2014, 10:11:47 pm »

Quote from: Aqua Power Solutions on March 27, 2014, 09:51:40 pm

Rob , the Therma £5395 + vat , Doff 110v £6993 inc vat , the 240v was slightly cheaper. Gone round in circles with regard to hotboxes. This system ticks all the boxes for a more variety of external cleans without a high water feed . Ed

What are you cleaning that you require 150c ?

« **Reply #12 on:** March 27, 2014, 10:19:18 pm »

Can you give us an idea what external cleaning you would need one of those for?

Rob

« **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2014, 10:20:01 pm »

One mind - ChrisBob

Rob

« **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2014, 07:52:33 am »

I paid £5k and £4k for each of our Falch T3's. They can do 150c when reducing the pressure down.

Why anyone would pay out that much for a glorified burner

You must be mad.

« **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2014, 08:29:06 pm »

Rob, Chris, Lee , got one of the big chains store to clean. Cladding, Brickwork, Graffiti removal. They specify no chems on any surface , their concerned about pressure on brick walls , this seems the obvious solution ! I agree Lee not cheap but if this method suits them , its that old chestnut " speculate to accumulate " i guess . Ed

« **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2014, 08:34:59 pm »

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquila-Hot-Box-/201060123435?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item2ed01e032b

Rob

« **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2014, 08:37:15 pm »

Thats the 3rd time that hot box has been on eBay. Something doesnt add up. If someone could go and test it for me id probably buy it.

« **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2014, 08:39:59 pm »

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHALE-FALCH-COMPACT-T3H-4350-PSI-GUM-GRAFFITI-REMOVER-HOT-PRESSURE-WASHER-DEUTZ-/321350701503?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item4ad1fe91bf

Rob

« **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2014, 08:51:29 pm »

Ed

I have all of that with the H & M but that is a twin operator unit. I can reduce the pressure, I can reduce the flow rate. Lee has the same with his two Falch's. Both his set up and my set up cost £9000.00 but for potentially two operators.

As Chris says it is a very good bit of marketing from the Stonehealth guys to sow the market up but I am sure that it isn't completely closed down.

If I didn't have other things on I would set myself the challenge of getting some heritage work. With the kit I have it will be something going on the back burner but I will pick it up later in the year.

Rob

« **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2014, 08:57:29 pm »

Rob, just missed out on a Aquila at Q Washers . He wanted £1300 at the time for it . Ed

« **Reply #21 on:** March 28, 2014, 09:10:38 pm »

Rob, Yes it seems that these systems are focused more on the Heritage, Nat'l Trust , Churches ect. I wonder if all these surveyors are going to go down this route on commercial buildings ? Ed

« **Reply #22 on:** March 28, 2014, 09:18:26 pm »

Ed

If you are going to spend the money I would hook up with Lee Kenny (the voice!!) and see what he can do for you. He could almost definitely put something together for you.

Rob

« **Reply #23 on:** March 28, 2014, 09:24:52 pm »

We use the Doff - A lot but seldom on cladding

We often use the Aquila Hotbox teamed up with a Zeta for various jobs

Just bought a used Falch and lads rate it highly

I love having loads of kit and no money - but hey what can you do

For cladding - I would determine what to clean it with depending what it's made of - and what has caused it to become soiled/dirty

Many use TFR - personally I don't like it

Just done an amazing sample on some black cladding today that had faded to grey - got it to shiny black - customer amazed.

« **Reply #24 on:** March 28, 2014, 09:32:16 pm »

I wouldn't have thought so. I can understand why they look to be particular on the historical stuff and they have good reason to have a particular standard.

I've cleaned more commercial buildings than Tom Jones has had duets and no one has ever said you need to have this or that.

If you see an opportunity then I would get the kit in and have the edge but it could be an expensive, single operator investment. If you do go down this route make sure you have the marketing in place to keep the kit busy.

I say this from recent experience because there has been some problems with the website on the Farrow System and that with a couple of other personal issues may see me parting company with it.

Rob

« **Reply #25 on:** March 28, 2014, 10:31:08 pm »

Hi,

We should be getting a Thermatech on hire next week so i'll report back, also the Torik system from Tensid looks decent (and cheaper).

Cheers,

Huw

« **Reply #26 on:** March 28, 2014, 11:51:54 pm »

Quote from: Aqua Power Solutions on March 28, 2014, 08:29:06 pm

Rob, Chris, Lee , got one of the big chains store to clean. Cladding, Brickwork, Graffiti removal. They specify no chems on any surface , their concerned about pressure on brick walls , this seems the obvious solution ! I agree Lee not cheap but if this method suits them , its that old chestnut " speculate to accumulate " i guess . Ed

No pressure , no chemicals ...how do they expect you to clean it ?
I think it would be wise to educate your customer in ways of cleaning their building without damaging it. I think if you buy one of these specialised machines and expect them to do everything ...you will be disappointed. I can given the correct bio-degradable non caustic chemicals and a hose pipe be able to get he same results at considerably less cost (not ideal...but doable).

« **Reply #27 on:** March 29, 2014, 02:02:06 am »

People seem to be under the impression that a doff burner will take carbon stain out of brick and take any graff spray off brick. Idiots.

« **Reply #28 on:** March 29, 2014, 02:08:32 am »

I had an email the other day for a job in Stratford upon Avon.

Item 4.2.2
Apply "Algae Clean" obtainable from "K Rend", telephone 028 2826 3304 in accordance with manufacturer's instructions overall to render.

I have spoken with K Rend and their ‘Algae Clean’ can be ordered via local builders merchants.

Shut up you p3nis! If I clean that building I will be using £50 worth of hypo and not some dressed up crap in a fancy tub that K Rend have weakened down to make a nice earner on.

« **Reply #29 on:** March 29, 2014, 06:06:24 am »

Quote from: Blast Away on March 29, 2014, 02:08:32 am

I had an email the other day for a job in Stratford upon Avon.

Item 4.2.2
Apply "Algae Clean" obtainable from "K Rend", telephone 028 2826 3304 in accordance with manufacturer's instructions overall to render.

I have spoken with K Rend and their ‘Algae Clean’ can be ordered via local builders merchants.

Shut up you p3nis! If I clean that building I will be using £50 worth of hypo and not some dressed up crap in a fancy tub that K Rend have weakened down to make a nice earner on.

« **Reply #30 on:** March 29, 2014, 07:18:23 am »

Quote from: Blast Away on March 29, 2014, 02:08:32 am

I had an email the other day for a job in Stratford upon Avon.

Item 4.2.2
Apply "Algae Clean" obtainable from "K Rend", telephone 028 2826 3304 in accordance with manufacturer's instructions overall to render.

I have spoken with K Rend and their ‘Algae Clean’ can be ordered via local builders merchants.

Shut up you p3nis! If I clean that building I will be using £50 worth of hypo and not some dressed up crap in a fancy tub that K Rend have weakened down to make a nice earner on.

Or you could apply the chemical that is specified by the manufacturer/ architect for that particular render and charge them extra because you are one of the only specialist contractors. that works to K-rend approved guidlines. With manufacturer approved products....thus reducing the risk of damage to the substrate....unlike other contractors that use highly aggressive ,corrosive unapproved chemicals.

Then spray it with bleach

Benzalkonium chloride (k-rend cleaner) works out cheaper than bleach anyway 1 litre is about £15 that makes about 50 litres of product, 50 litres of product will clean 250 sqm of k-rend.

« **Reply #31 on:** March 29, 2014, 07:11:51 pm »

But their product does not clean it - it just chemically kills it then hopes the rain cleans it. Thats what happens when you use products from a "DIY SHED"

On a more serious note I did the refresh on my WJA cert today and the instructor stated that using only water was enviromentally friendly

« **Reply #32 on:** March 29, 2014, 09:54:52 pm »

All the reasons listed re doff are the reasons I may be building one for a guy, he can get round architects by explaining the same tech specifications on other machines, not just doff / stone health, they've had their day now and have been very elusive reguarding their system, ie every picture of the doff or thermatech doesent show the pump, one seems to be a kranzle and the other seems to be an interpump type pump, hence the reason if anyone actually owns one then pictures would be greatly appreciated... it seems that most people have just hired or used one? I see you have one on your videos Darren, nice bit of kit by the way... care to upload some pics and show it off mate?
thanks

« **Reply #33 on:** March 30, 2014, 03:35:24 pm »

Quote from: Kenny83 on March 29, 2014, 09:54:52 pm

All the reasons listed re doff are the reasons I may be building one for a guy, he can get round architects by explaining the same tech specifications on other machines, not just doff / stone health, they've had their day now and have been very elusive reguarding their system, ie every picture of the doff or thermatech doesent show the pump, one seems to be a kranzle and the other seems to be an interpump type pump, hence the reason if anyone actually owns one then pictures would be greatly appreciated... it seems that most people have just hired or used one? I see you have one on your videos Darren, nice bit of kit by the way... care to upload some pics and show it off mate?
thanks

Hi - I never hardly see it - I will ask the lads to take some pics and put them on here

« **Reply #34 on:** March 30, 2014, 07:09:44 pm »

Darren , Going off the subject i know ! How do you like the Zeta 30 LPM & then paired up with your Aquila ? Ed

« **Reply #35 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:15:02 am »

Quote from: Rhinoman on March 30, 2014, 03:35:24 pm

Quote from: Kenny83 on March 29, 2014, 09:54:52 pm
All the reasons listed re doff are the reasons I may be building one for a guy, he can get round architects by explaining the same tech specifications on other machines, not just doff / stone health, they've had their day now and have been very elusive reguarding their system, ie every picture of the doff or thermatech doesent show the pump, one seems to be a kranzle and the other seems to be an interpump type pump, hence the reason if anyone actually owns one then pictures would be greatly appreciated... it seems that most people have just hired or used one? I see you have one on your videos Darren, nice bit of kit by the way... care to upload some pics and show it off mate?
thanks

Hi - I never hardly see it - I will ask the lads to take some pics and put them on here

Thanks Darran

« **Reply #36 on:** March 31, 2014, 10:54:37 am »

Quote from: Aqua Power Solutions on March 30, 2014, 07:09:44 pm

Darren , Going off the subject i know ! How do you like the Zeta 30 LPM & then paired up with your Aquila ? Ed

For many jobs - it is great and the lads love it - but the Falch T3H is a better alternative if you can find a good used one

« **Reply #37 on:** March 31, 2014, 03:03:35 pm »

I've had a call about 3 x T3H's that have been brought over from France, all frost damaged after being sat in a yard for last 2 years.
They have been used to clean a big tunnel in France apparently, that's all, then left in yard.

« **Reply #38 on:** March 31, 2014, 05:49:21 pm »

Quote from: Blast Away on March 31, 2014, 03:03:35 pm

I've had a call about 3 x T3H's that have been brought over from France, all frost damaged after being sat in a yard for last 2 years.
They have been used to clean a big tunnel in France apparently, that's all, then left in yard.

Keep me posted about one of these please mate unless your gonna buy all 3.

« **Reply #39 on:** March 31, 2014, 06:36:45 pm »

Quote from: Matt Gibson on March 31, 2014, 05:49:21 pm

Quote from: Blast Away on March 31, 2014, 03:03:35 pm
I've had a call about 3 x T3H's that have been brought over from France, all frost damaged after being sat in a yard for last 2 years.
They have been used to clean a big tunnel in France apparently, that's all, then left in yard.

Keep me posted about one of these please mate unless your gonna buy all 3.

Matt get to the back of the queue, Ive allready bribed him for one!

« **Reply #40 on:** March 31, 2014, 07:23:02 pm »

Let's all start a queue and no pushing in. ....Lee I will be interested after Matt and Simon ..... Will you save me the best one out of the three cheers Ed

« **Reply #41 on:** April 01, 2014, 11:26:41 pm »

I might not even have one myself yet. My contact might be just a greedy. This guy has recently chopped one up and mounted in a Vivaro. Boxed in with chequer plate and a big fuel tank. Looks good but you won't see me chopping one up.

« **Reply #42 on:** April 02, 2014, 08:39:42 pm »

Lee , why would you put one in a van when it is on a trailer ? Easier to work on, no fuss with fumes ect and keep the space in the van for equipment ! Ed

« **Reply #43 on:** April 02, 2014, 08:50:18 pm »

I'm sure Lee will reply Ed but I can say why from my perspective.

To park you need twice the length of a van/car.
Everything is out in the open and people can tamper with it.
VOSA will pull you if you are towing a trailer, even if it is all in good order.
Unless you have storage it is going to be in the elements all year.

The only trailer I would have (I have had one) is an Ifor Williams 105 or 126 because they are as good as a van but again if you get into commercial and start travelling you should legally stay within 50kms of your operational base or you will need to have a tacho fitted to the towing vehicle.

Rob

« **Reply #44 on:** April 02, 2014, 09:13:59 pm »

Rob, when you put it like that it makes sense . I guess you have been there before Rob with the wheel tappers snooping around ! Ed

« **Reply #45 on:** April 02, 2014, 10:12:32 pm »

Oh yes.

The last time I got pulled they told me I had a week to get a tacho fitted and I had to keep the van off the road until it was fitted.

The tacho was about 1100 plus fitting. Only had it in the van 5 months before I got rid of the trailers.

Not worth messing with VOSA. It's like you never see them until you tow and then when you do it is like they are stalking you.

Taking them aside it is just easier if it is i a van. Fumes aren't a problem as long as you exhaust it right. Even if you want to have the van for something else the set up can be done to accommodate.

Rob

« **Reply #46 on:** January 29, 2017, 05:37:12 pm »

New to Thermatech is the ability to use 2 lances at the same time. Yes you lose a bit of heat and pressure but on some jobs you might be able to work at twice the rate. Guess it depends how you price work?

Nice machine and helpful team @ Thermatech.

« **Reply #47 on:** January 29, 2017, 06:20:11 pm »

I agree better than the to55ers at stonehealth.