Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: MaxT on November 07, 2015, 03:27:42 pm

Title: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: MaxT on November 07, 2015, 03:27:42 pm
Hi,

Just doing some one off window cleans for some of my customers. I want a very cheap WFP setup to begin with, can upgrade in the future.

Looking at poles, carbon fibre is out of my budget. Just wondering -- if I'm getting a cheapo pole what would be better out of aluminum and glass fibre?

I heard that the glassfibre flexes too much, and the aluminium one too heavy?

I know I should prob get carbon, but won't be doing it all day so won't suffer from issues of fatigue etc.

Plus, customers house is 3 floors, will 18ft do or do I need to go 30ft?

Cheers! :)
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: Don Kee on November 07, 2015, 03:44:50 pm
CLX - 27 from Gardinder Pole Systems

18ft wont reach 3 storey
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: stevon on November 07, 2015, 03:51:21 pm
only budgies go cheap.get yourself a harris pole 4 £15 b&q
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: Smudger on November 07, 2015, 03:59:46 pm
Gardiners clx is what you want, carbon and fibre glass hybrid - quality item for the price, reasonably lightweight, robust and if you don't make a go of it you'll get double your money back selling on flea bay  ;)

Darran
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: MaxT on November 07, 2015, 04:12:53 pm
only budgies go cheap.get yourself a harris pole 4 £15 b&q

They don't go more than 5 metre.
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: MaxT on November 07, 2015, 04:15:28 pm
Thanks all for replies. I take it none of you would touch aluminium or glassfibre poles then?

As mentioned, only for one off cleans now and then. CLX - 27 over £200, aluminium/gf one under £100.

Yep it's being cheap, but I'll upgrade in the future if needed.
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: jk999 on November 07, 2015, 05:00:38 pm
Alloy poles can get cold in winter.  They are a lot stronger than fiber glass.  Me personally  would think off long term why splash out twice get something  decent from the start as someone  stated gardiners clx are not bad that's what I used before I got an slx best pole I have bought up to date it's over three years old still going strong and gets used 6days a week
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: Smudger on November 07, 2015, 05:09:27 pm
Depending on the style of the house you may find clx 22 could reach but a 27 is best, I'd go and test an Ali pole at 25 feet - it's no fun.

There comes a point when that little extra investment pays for itself time, and time again.
From what I remember the closed length on most Ali and GF poles is over 6 ft - this makes them difficult to extend like the shorter section poles and they only fit in larger vans due to the length

Darran
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: MaxT on November 07, 2015, 05:54:06 pm
Ok, alloy too long, cold in winter, heavy.

What's wrong with fibreglass?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: jk999 on November 07, 2015, 06:17:09 pm
Fiber glass is like using an elastic  band,  until you try all three types you won't know. 
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: KS Cleaning on November 07, 2015, 06:38:36 pm
You have got a problem here, you say  can't justify a full carbon pole as you don't have enough work, however a CLX pole or similar at 30' is terrible to work with, so my advice would be to spend a wee bit more, get the SLX then there is no need to upgrade when things pick up
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: jk999 on November 07, 2015, 06:55:47 pm
Thats what I was trying to say
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: MaxT on November 07, 2015, 07:21:48 pm
Seen a couple 22ft on ebay, will they reach 3rd floor with a combi ladder?
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: the king on November 07, 2015, 07:57:57 pm
i had a clx27 once luvly pole bit bendy but it was lite put a gardner supreme on it and it wont b to bendy i had mine for 2 years no prob there very good carbon slx will b a lot stiffer but waight wise there ant mch in it ide stear clear of alli or fiberglass the clx range is the best bugit pole out there
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: toronto on November 09, 2015, 08:14:06 pm
Ebay you can get a 30 ft fibreglass pole for £80 new they are heavy and a lot of flex but they will do the job!
If your just doing a couple of jobs every now and then I don't see any need to spend more!
If you plan on using it every day I'd suggest you get friendly with an osteopath
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: SeanK on November 09, 2015, 08:42:41 pm
Good luck getting any 30ft pole on Ebay for £80 there are far to many muppets on it for that.
CLX27 will be your best bet and you will have to buy it new as they fetch silly prices used on Ebay, even if you
do decide on a fibreglass or alloy pole you wont save a great deal compared to the price of the CLX as it comes with a
free brush.
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: toronto on November 09, 2015, 09:55:28 pm
Actually your right there is nothing on at the moment! The last two I bought were employee poles ( I got sick of them mistreating my gardiners poles)  both from the same guy both 30ft both £80 new. But as stated if your paying much more then just bite the bullet and get a clx they are awesome poles
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: Plankton on November 09, 2015, 11:39:04 pm
Buy the CLX27. If you decide not to pursue the windows then you'll get decent money back on it. Plus it comes with the brush, hose, connections and delivery.
Using a glass fibre pole feels like you've got a shark on the end of it!
Title: Re: Cheap poles -- alumium or fibreglass?
Post by: colin bird on November 10, 2015, 07:06:22 pm
Buy the CLX27. If you decide not to pursue the windows then you'll get decent money back on it. Plus it comes with the brush, hose, connections and delivery.
Using a glass fibre pole feels like you've got a shark on the end of it!


Made me laugh but so true