Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dave f on December 15, 2014, 02:28:42 pm

Title: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: dave f on December 15, 2014, 02:28:42 pm
over the past year ive spent 700 quid or so .1 electric reel 2 aqua dapters and a clx 25
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: slap bash on December 15, 2014, 08:28:35 pm
Which have been worth it and which have not. Look forward to your answer.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: windowswashed on December 15, 2014, 08:38:47 pm
Bought some aquadapters, wouldn't buy them again as they jammed up or the springs break and takes too long replacing them. Prefer a tap on the pole hose, (Keep It Simple Stupid). With a pole on tap I can have the water low for scrubbing and vary it for rinsing.....can't do that with the aquadapters. The only thing I miss about the aquadapters is having both hands free to hold the pole as I keep the pole hose in my hand whilst I'm working but I prefer this method now. Took a while getting use to this method after using the A/D but it's so much easier this way.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: ChumBucket on December 15, 2014, 08:44:09 pm
The most beneficial thing you could buy to speed up & improve your working day is a swivel. ;) If you're not swivelling- you need to be!
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: PoleKing on December 15, 2014, 08:46:16 pm
The most beneficial thing you could buy to speed up & improve your working day is a swivel. ;) If you're not swivelling- you need to be!

Why?
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Clever Forum Name on December 15, 2014, 08:47:12 pm
Vision
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: ChumBucket on December 15, 2014, 09:02:29 pm
The most beneficial thing you could buy to speed up & improve your working day is a swivel. ;) If you're not swivelling- you need to be!

Why?

To be honest it's quite difficult to explain if you have never used one and the benefits are countless. If you've ever used a wagtail orbital squeegee it's similar to that- like an extension of your wrist. Any window, from any angle with minimal body movement, just by turning the pole.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: richard groves on December 15, 2014, 09:36:23 pm
The most beneficial thing you could buy to speed up & improve your working day is a swivel. ;) If you're not swivelling- you need to be!

Why?

To be honest it's quite difficult to explain if you have never used one and the benefits are countless. If you've ever used a wagtail orbital squeegee it's similar to that- like an extension of your wrist. Any window, from any angle with minimal body movement, just by turning the pole.
are these better than they used to be a few years ago ? e.g. do they return to center and offer a  bit of resistance if you do not wish to swivel rather than just flopping about ? I may try one again in the new year if the case.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Afterglow Window Cleaners on December 15, 2014, 09:40:59 pm
The most beneficial thing you could buy to speed up & improve your working day is a swivel. ;) If you're not swivelling- you need to be!

Why?

To be honest it's quite difficult to explain if you have never used one and the benefits are countless. If you've ever used a wagtail orbital squeegee it's similar to that- like an extension of your wrist. Any window, from any angle with minimal body movement, just by turning the pole.
are these better than they used to be a few years ago ? e.g. do they return to center and offer a  bit of resistance if you do not wish to swivel rather than just flopping about ? I may try one again in the new year if the case.

I think the swivel is great too, has an adjusting screw to change how easy or hard it is to "swivel" it does not return to the centre automatically though, but you can achieve that by straightening it up before you leave the glass
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: ChumBucket on December 15, 2014, 09:43:21 pm
The most beneficial thing you could buy to speed up & improve your working day is a swivel. ;) If you're not swivelling- you need to be!

Why?

To be honest it's quite difficult to explain if you have never used one and the benefits are countless. If you've ever used a wagtail orbital squeegee it's similar to that- like an extension of your wrist. Any window, from any angle with minimal body movement, just by turning the pole.
are these better than they used to be a few years ago ? e.g. do they return to center and offer a  bit of resistance if you do not wish to swivel rather than just flopping about ? I may try one again in the new year if the case.

Gardiners now make proper ones which you can alter the resistance of the swivel via a screw on the top. They've just brought out a new longer neck one which is fantastic!! My preference tension wise is for the brush to swivel freely but not flop about off the glass.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: ChumBucket on December 15, 2014, 09:46:26 pm
And the best bit.................they're only £11.95 + vat.

http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/QuicK-LoQ-Resi-Neck-Type1-Swivel_Long1.html

http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/Plastic_Goosenecks.html
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Smudger on December 15, 2014, 10:00:23 pm
I just couldn't get on with a swivel  :(

Aqua tap from Peter fogwill has been ace.
Fan jets for better rinsing
6mm microbore hose for a less stressful reeling process
24" carbon gooseneck for deep set dormers and solar panels
Flip fast ( DIY conversion ) for speedy adjustment
Carbon gutter vac poles (wow!) so easy now!

I'm sure I have some stuff that turned out to be less than successful, but can't think off hand, will remember when I look in that great big box hidden in the corner  ;D

Oh yes...

Bentley brush ! Now that was painful

Darran
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Lee GLS on December 15, 2014, 10:21:21 pm
The most beneficial thing you could buy to speed up & improve your working day is a swivel. ;) If you're not swivelling- you need to be!

Agree. Once you get used to it you will never want to go back to a fixed neck.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Spruce on December 16, 2014, 07:25:14 pm
over the past year ive spent 700 quid or so .1 electric reel 2 aqua dapters and a clx 25

Interesting purchase that one Dave  ;D
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Plankton on December 16, 2014, 08:06:42 pm
I've said before a "swivel neck is a must for me" there's so many situations whether it's a car parked in front of the window, bay style windows when your brush is not square, above cony's from the side. It reduces strain, fatigue and probably increases brush life. If you've not got it buy it.
Bought from Gardiners short and long, the short one is too slack due to use and I need to tighten it slightly.
Pole valves, I've used the ones from Gardiners without any issues until lately so tried Ungers Flo-Valve which works good, no leaks but may shorten hose life due to the crimping action.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Frankybadboy on December 16, 2014, 08:39:04 pm
the best gadget i brought was don-key,he was free, works hard and gets no problems
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: tonyoliver on December 16, 2014, 10:15:44 pm
silly question what makes it swivel? pressure as you clean or do you move it before you start and how does it go back to the start position?
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: robert mitchell on December 16, 2014, 11:00:56 pm
you twist the pole to change the angle i think
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Plankton on December 16, 2014, 11:19:53 pm
The user makes it swivel to the angle required by twisting the pole right or left and to centre the brush apply to the next window and do the opposite if required.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: Smurf on December 16, 2014, 11:49:46 pm
I've just started using the gardiner long resineck with a socket swivel and found it to be very good.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: bobplum on December 17, 2014, 08:25:29 pm
the best gadget i brought was don-key,he was free, works hard and gets no problems

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: bobplum on December 17, 2014, 08:26:12 pm
ELECTRIC REEL HAS BEEN A GREAT BUY
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: slap bash on December 18, 2014, 10:20:08 am
I just did not get on with a swivel its like a chicken with a broken neck.Not for me.
Title: Re: how much have spent on gadgets to make the job quicker
Post by: G & M on December 18, 2014, 10:41:50 pm
The best gadget I have bought is a "ladder basemate" which allows you to adjust the angle of the ladder for uneven ground. There are two types one you put onto the ladder as you need it, the other which we use on all our ladders is fixed on, I think it costs about £40/£50. Been using them for the last four years or so and only replaced one yet.
Also love the aqua - dapter, ladder stand off, gutter vac, and so many other gadgets that you forget you have.
I would love an electric reel, and definitely the new pole ( or at least the connections) from Aqua- Dapter, also a drone for videoing some jobs. The wish list is endless when you start thinking about it.