[Stoots]

So my hose reel got snapped today  , decided to just get a new hose and reel as my reel is old and dropping to bits. Its a metal clover leaf type one.

I have made it into a electric reel but lately it had become very wonky and started spitting the chain off quite regularly

For those that use the water works or similar do you think they are worth the money ? how good are the actual reels ?

Or should i make another d.i.y one, if so can anyone recommend a better quality reel to use for it ? i think the clover ones are ok but could be smoother

[Spotfree]

So my hose reel got snapped today  , decided to just get a new hose and reel as my reel is old and dropping to bits. Its a metal clover leaf type one.

I have made it into a electric reel but lately it had become very wonky and started spitting the chain off quite regularly

For those that use the water works or similar do you think they are worth the money ? how good are the actual reels ?

Or should i make another d.i.y one, if so can anyone recommend a better quality reel to use for it ? i think the clover ones are ok but could be smoother

You just need to line the sprockets up right, I made two, 2 years ago and they're smashing still. One was made a bit better than the other though, its not lined up 100%. it doesn't run as smooth as the other one but it still works perfectly.

They were a pain to make though, and I threaded two spindles whilst doing it. To buy they are expensive...

[Shrek]

My pure freedom reel is one of the best things iv ever bought. 0% credit card and spread the payment over a year, then it doesn’t feel like a big chunk coming out your account

[Stoots]

My pure freedom reel is one of the best things iv ever bought. 0% credit card and spread the payment over a year, then it doesn’t feel like a big chunk coming out your account

See thats the feeling i dont want   

[Stoots]

So my hose reel got snapped today  , decided to just get a new hose and reel as my reel is old and dropping to bits. Its a metal clover leaf type one.

I have made it into a electric reel but lately it had become very wonky and started spitting the chain off quite regularly

For those that use the water works or similar do you think they are worth the money ? how good are the actual reels ?

Or should i make another d.i.y one, if so can anyone recommend a better quality reel to use for it ? i think the clover ones are ok but could be smoother

You just need to line the sprockets up right, I made two, 2 years ago and they're smashing still. One was made a bit better than the other though, its not lined up 100%. it doesn't run as smooth as the other one but it still works perfectly.

They were a pain to make though, and I threaded two spindles whilst doing it. To buy they are expensive...

It been fine for over a year but recently its doing my head in.

I will try and make my spare reel work before buying another then save some brass 

[nathankaye]

Make another one now buddy,  your a little more experienced with it and so 2.0 will be better

[Lee GLS]

Use a drill, it’s way I have done it for 10 years.

[Spotfree]

Thats why my second reel is better than the first one I made and was much quicker and easier to do.

[a900]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F143347603234


Something like this could be useful

[SB Cleaning]

I have a waterworks reel.

Brilliant.

[High-Tower]

I bought probably the only secondhand waterworks reel I’ve ever seen for sale, and it’s spot on too! I had to align the motor once I’d fitted it into place but it is very simple to do. And I had a loose connection in the junction box which was a simple fix too.

[zesty]

I’m revamping my system soon Adam, think I’m going for the pure freedom reel master.

Rung them today for a quote on a few things as well as the hose reel, was suprised how expensive it all was, but I’m wanting to reduce tax bill so it will help by spending a fair bit on new kit, as well as making my working life easier/better.

I’m planning on getting the swivel base and mounting the reel on top a new lay flat tank (I currently have an upright tank) it’ll be positioned near the side loading door, but also means I can ‘swivel’ it to face the rear doors. Best of both worlds then.

Currently I work out the rear door only.

I’d probably go DIY again if I wasn’t planning on changing most of my system....

[dazmond]

Use a drill, it’s way I have done it for 10 years.

really?...........its £500-£700 for a decent electric reel...its hardly gonna break the bank.....some of you really are proper cheapskates.....

[dazmond]

So my hose reel got snapped today  , decided to just get a new hose and reel as my reel is old and dropping to bits. Its a metal clover leaf type one.

I have made it into a electric reel but lately it had become very wonky and started spitting the chain off quite regularly

For those that use the water works or similar do you think they are worth the money ? how good are the actual reels ?

Or should i make another d.i.y one, if so can anyone recommend a better quality reel to use for it ? i think the clover ones are ok but could be smoother

You just need to line the sprockets up right, I made two, 2 years ago and they're smashing still. One was made a bit better than the other though, its not lined up 100%. it doesn't run as smooth as the other one but it still works perfectly.

They were a pain to make though, and I threaded two spindles whilst doing it. To buy they are expensive...

It been fine for over a year but recently its doing my head in.

I will try and make my spare reel work before buying another then save some brass 

carry on if  you like all the extra faffing about that comes with  buying cheaper parts/inferior reels and building things yourself...it very rarely pays off in the long run though esp if you plan on staying a window cleaner for the next 10 years or so......unless you enjoy DIY and treat it has a hobby outside of working hours then crack on......

[zesty]

To be fair Daz, my DIY reel has never missed a beat, and it’s gotta be 3 years old now 😜

[nathankaye]

Sorry Daz, I also would have to disagree on your point as well.
All you need is a motor, a cog and a chain!  Haha its not rocket science but a shop bought one will obviously make theirs more fancier to justify the price tag that goes with it and to cover their backs with insurances etc.

If you want a work vehicle for display purposes (sole trader) then get your van kitted out with all the flashing lights (or blue strip lights which seem to be the latest fad for wfp'ers) and 5 grand heaters in.  So other shiners can be awe at the kit!
But in reality, its a work horse that transports our equipmemt of water and a means to apply that to the window and clean, so who really cares what equipment is in the van apart from the next scumbag  wanting to nick it from seeingbeveryone show off on facebook and the likes lol

[Smudger]

Didn’t you have lots of trouble with yours Daz?

Darran

[tlwcs]

I may sell my hd power up reel , ive had it since Jan 2017, I’ve ordered a new one.
The original doesn’t run true and every 6 months I have to replace the rubber o rings, no drama but ive had a new van and new kit.
I will video the spindle when in operation and stick it in the for sale bit at the weekend if I decide to sell.
Tony

[Stoots]

I can see the argument for both.

Sometimes expensive items are good value and other times cheap stuff can be better value.

Take tea bags for example, I buy the 50p smart price ones because they taste just as good as PG tips at £4

But for coffee I buy the more expensive because the cheap stuff tastes nasty.

[SB Cleaning]

Use a drill, it’s way I have done it for 10 years.

really?...........its £500-£700 for a decent electric reel...its hardly gonna break the bank.....some of you really are proper cheapskates.....

Says the person who has been making poles up from used sections

[Slacky]

I’ve had both. I’m currently using a home made one after my Grippa supplies one gave up the ghost.

This home made one once sorted of teething problems has been great. I’d go down that route again.

It’s the teething problems you need to get over but once you’re aware of this stuff and have worked through it previously why not?

[dazmond]

Sorry Daz, I also would have to disagree on your point as well.
All you need is a motor, a cog and a chain!  Haha its not rocket science but a shop bought one will obviously make theirs more fancier to justify the price tag that goes with it and to cover their backs with insurances etc.

If you want a work vehicle for display purposes (sole trader) then get your van kitted out with all the flashing lights (or blue strip lights which seem to be the latest fad for wfp'ers) and 5 grand heaters in.  So other shiners can be awe at the kit!
But in reality, its a work horse that transports our equipmemt of water and a means to apply that to the window and clean, so who really cares what equipment is in the van apart from the next scumbag  wanting to nick it from seeingbeveryone show off on facebook and the likes lol

ive had the cheap old vans like yours nathan  (with stick on van magnets too!),DIY systems,cobbled together gas shower heaters,fibreglass/aluminium poles,cheap claber reels,etc,etc.......yes they work just like the more professional,expensive gear but its just much easier/less faff and equipment lasts longer(with the exception of xtreme poles and brushes)than DIY stuff.....also proper sign writing with a logo looks far more professional than van magnets IMO.....

whatever works for you....but from my experience scrimping on decent gear is not the way forward.the good WFP companies like gardiners,pure freedom and grippatank  will make your job easier with less faff and make you look more professional.thats got to be a good thing IMO.......

[dazmond]

I’ve had both. I’m currently using a home made one after my Grippa supplies one gave up the ghost.

This home made one once sorted of teething problems has been great. I’d go down that route again.

It’s the teething problems you need to get over but once you’re aware of this stuff and have worked through it previously why not?

I thought you had a PF reelmaster?not a grippa reel?

[NWH]

My Mrs said to me for goodness sake you are outside faffing about with that machine longer than you are working just buy a new 1 lol,plug in charge no lifting get in the van in the morning turn machine-heater on I’m away,it all takes seconds. Gas heaters leak water and gas,and last no time at all they are not designed to be running anywhere near the amount of time we use them over the course of a day. As for the reel when it turns up at the door you’ll have it working in the time it takes to put the hose on it.

[dazmond]

Didn’t you have lots of trouble with yours Daz?

Darran

yep...the chain kept coming off!i adjusted it and it was still the same....in the end PF changed all the working parts and its never missed a beat for over 12 months now......👍

[dazmond]

Use a drill, it’s way I have done it for 10 years.

really?...........its £500-£700 for a decent electric reel...its hardly gonna break the bank.....some of you really are proper cheapskates.....

Says the person who has been making poles up from used sections

i have a few made up of various sections from different poles..... ...however they are "emergency poles" now as ive just bought a new xtreme 25....

[koopmaster]

DIY reel or not it still has to be aligned correctly.  Mine is DIY electric motor on a winch wireless remote and comes off twice a week but the wood is warping now on the base but I already have a plastic section all ready to replace the wooden base.  I'll probably do it this weekend.  I also want to replace the wiring with a newer model of remote switch with build in relay.

[tillwill]

Did anyone here use Giraffe retractable garden hose reel? I consider buying it, but it is a little pricy and I really wanna be sure that it worth the money.

[Spruce]

Did anyone here use Giraffe retractable garden hose reel? I consider buying it, but it is a little pricy and I really wanna be sure that it worth the money.

Don't waste your money. It's designed for 1/2" garden hose. It's not designed for the abuse a hose reel will get for everyday window cleaning.
A supplier used to fit a similar Hoselok reel  on his trailer system in the UK, but it was the first thing that broke. People tend to water their gardens during summer when the hose is warmer and more flexible. In winter that hose is as stiff as wire so not very manageable.

Ask us. We started window cleaning before minibore and microbore hose was being marketed to window cleaners. The only thing we had was 1/2" garden hose. What a nightmare to use in winter.

[dd]

Didn’t you have lots of trouble with yours Daz?

Darran

yep...the chain kept coming off!i adjusted it and it was still the same....in the end PF changed all the working parts and its never missed a beat for over 12 months now......👍

Sounds a bit like Triggers's broom.

[swanson]

I’ve just bought the power up 3D electric reel
From window cleaning warehouse
Brilliant okay it was over £500  but well worth the money.
You all brag about how much money you earn. Well start spending some on decent equipment.

[dazmond]

I’ve just bought the power up 3D electric reel
From window cleaning warehouse
Brilliant okay it was over £500  but well worth the money.
You all brag about how much money you earn. Well start spending some on decent equipment.

i thought you were selling up?changed your mind have you?

i hope they ve ironed out all the problems with the 3D reels,what type of switch have you got?and is the inside of the reel alloy instead of plastic now?

[Stoots]

Still got a D.I.Y one, cant see the advantage in buying one.

The big difference i made was using a pure freedom reel instead of the old clover ones, it makes for a much better leccy reel.

[swanson]

I did have a bit of a clear out.
And sold  some of my round.
But I’m still hanging in there.
Despite all the crappy weather lately