Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Count Phil on February 22, 2007, 05:39:02 pm
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I know I've asked alot of advice about how to get this done, well, here are a few photo's of my efforts. Sorry about the quality. The picture of the pole up, is of the normal length I use on domestics, 16 ft. It sounds alot to have out all the time, but you stan a bit furthur back and you neck aches less. It is still zero effort to do this. The complete length with all the sections is 27.5ft. weighs less than my 8ft fibreglass. Thanks for the help.(http://)
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and more...
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more..
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Looks good - How long is each section and how do you carry them - in the van?
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No two sections are the same length (strange but true) but they are all about 4.5 - 5ft. The top section is about three feet after I cut it down to fit the thread.
In the golf bag, in the van. No more freezing between jobs.
You'd be amazed how quick you get used to modular. You actually save time after you get the hang of it, because you just leave it up more of the time. Break it down into the bag (leave hose attached) and carry to next house. Easy.
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Nice one,
How is the end protected with all different sized sections?
Can't make out how you connected the thread adapter to the pole?
Do you find just the one section strong enough to clean downstairs?
Questions, questions ;D
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You can drop a fishing pole down to ground level use a lot faster than any telescopic pole.
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On most domestics you always use the same section as the base. The green thing in the photos is adjustable. The bit inside changes size when you twist the end. So if you add another section, just pop it out, and fit it in the new base section. For 90% of domestics its always in the same section so you can stand the pole on the ground without damaging the end. 6 quid from the tackle shop (see, fishermen have the same problem).
The thread is fitted like this:(I do wish i had taken photos), The no3 section I cut down where it was wide enough to fit the thread in loosely, with the bit left over I cut 2 4inch sections. Into the narrowest, I put the thread(I had to shave it a bit). Glued it. Then fitted that into the other 4 inch section GLUE. Then taking the thread now surrounded by double thickness carbon, I glued that into the now shorter NO3 section. So where the thread protrudes, in the photo, There is actually treble thickness around it. Its tough as nails.
I didn't actually measure any of it and did it by fluke. Dangerous. Measure it properly or you could waste the section.
Doing the downs is hard with just the section with the brush because its thin (trust me) But with 2 sections its fine, if a little long. I can carry the down pole in the bag as well so it's not an issue.
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Well done, I hope it works well for you.
Although I can't help thinking if I was a customer it'd just look like you've brought your fishing rod along in a golf bag - and before anyone says I know thats what it is!
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Very inventive - is it in FORE sections??
I'll get my coat!
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Its the Lynx effect ;) , a 5 part blag bag.
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very nice :)
of course the DIY forum would really benefit from a walkthough of how you did it ;) ( and i know jeff would be pleased with it, the more the merrier ;))
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Man, how the hey do you get on the diy forum? I've registered, emailed balh blah. So that's why it's on here.
I'm sorry, I'm just feeling under par at the mo :D. By the way, it looks loads more expensive and graphitey than a bright yellow or green thing I have been using. It looks seriously High tech. Especially the very base panel which is a deep bluey colour. But I have had a few golf jokes.
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When did you try Matts been away for 2 weeks or so ?
I have pmd him for you, hope it helps.
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Man, how the hey do you get on the diy forum? I've registered, emailed balh blah. So that's why it's on here.
as jeff said, i as away for just over 2 weeks, i got back yesterday and activated all the accounts, yours should be active now
sorry for the delay
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Wahey, it works!
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idont tink it looks pro enough if i was a customer i would question it
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Well done it looks good.
hope you enjoy using it and it saves those arms
essentially pure
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ok :)
what do you mean, most customers never "see" it any way its pure water. 80% of them are out anyway ?
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idont tink it looks pro enough if i was a customer i would question it
Customer: - I don't think that your system looks professional enough so why should I let you clean my windows?
W/c:- Have I ever done a poor job of cleaning your windows Mr. Customer?
Customer: - Er, no ...
W/c:- ???
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how much was your pole
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please dont take this the wrong way, looks like you've done a great job but wouldn't a 24ft carbon facelift (or equivalent) be far better for your domestic work. I can see the bennefit of a super-lite modular pole for work above say, 45ft but for domestic work around the 16 to 24ft height i can see only a hinderence from a modular pole.also the base section looks realy fat (but that could just be the photo). 90% of downstairs windows can also be done with the 24ft facelift when all sections are back in. I can only see a financial bennefit from what you have done, which to me is false economy.
as said, this is not an attemp to put the pole down but more an honest/curious enquiry. :)
tony
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I know, what you mean but it actually works really well. The usual way I keep it for domestic is at 16ft. It always seems to be the correct length and you end up leaving it up all the time. It may be better to have a 24ft carbon, yes. But this is cheaper, works well, is lighter and seems quicker than a telescopic cos you don't have to put it up and down all the time.
The base section looks fat in the photo but is thinner than telecopic base sections. Plus, it stops at that thickness, all the other sections are the same thickness. That was a concern to me because my 30ft telescopic is hard to hold because the sections are so wide.
By the way, it looks loads more proffessional than most off the shelf pole. Someone said it looked really high tech when they saw me putting it together..
It cost 150 but can be purchased for less on-line. It goes to 27.5 ft. My 30ft telescopic glass fibre cost 180. So false economy?
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thanks p bowen
150 is cheap for a carbon pole, as long as it works well for you thats all that counts i suppose. :)
tony
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did the same thing but why didnt you put the hose inside the pole
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With the cost of a genuine reach and wash pole being pretty cheap why do all these people bother with these home made jobbies???
It doesn't look professional and probably wont last as long as the real thing.
If you can't afford to invest in proper cleaning gear you need more clients, or stick to using a mop and squeegie.
Just my opinion!!
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With the cost of a genuine reach and wash pole being pretty cheap why do all these people bother with these home made jobbies???
It doesn't look professional and probably wont last as long as the real thing.
If you can't afford to invest in proper cleaning gear you need more clients, or stick to using a mop and squeegie.
Just my opinion!!
The fishing pole solution is lighter for any given height. The higher the job the easier it is in comparison. It look no more or less professional than any other pole. (As Squeaky says - its a brush on a stick!) The manufacturers are just beginning to produce modular (fishing pole) technology and those who have a bit of DIY skill can tailor them to their rounds and needs at a fraction of the cost. They are much better over conservatories as well as at height. (IMO)
It's a trade off between setting up and weight so I use a "normal" 12ft residential pole
and have a fishing pole type which I can use too for jobs up to 34ft. I can buy/add sections as I need them.
If it means a quicker/easier/cheaper way of doing things - why not?
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did the same thing but why didnt you put the hose inside the pole
I imagine it was because of the versatility of having the hose outside of the pole, it means you only need use the sections you want to use.
On a telescopic pole you have the choice don't you? But on a modular pole you have to have the hose on the outside, otherwise how on earth could you use it ???
Ian
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With the cost of a genuine reach and wash pole being pretty cheap why do all these people bother with these home made jobbies???
It doesn't look professional and probably wont last as long as the real thing.
If you can't afford to invest in proper cleaning gear you need more clients, or stick to using a mop and squeegie.
Just my opinion!!
Nice 1st post.
Nothing like running folks down to make yourself popular ::)
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nothing wrong with his post, he's being honest & he did state IMO, & i have to say a big part of me agrees with him but PLEEEEEAAAASE dont kick me out of your click for saying that :o :o :o :o
tony
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Its another Ionics employee ranting away - they do this all the time.
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Its another Ionics employee ranting away - they do this all the time.
Agreed JM123!
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Its another Ionics employee ranting away - they do this all the time.
what happened to that guy a few weeks back, i went on holidays, did he return to face the music OR did he just fade away ?? ?? ?
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Sorry, I just thought making it yourself would be cheaper, like the whole diy system. It didn't take long to make, works well, and looks better than the bright yellow ionics poles any day of the week. It also looks better than the snot green poles and bright red ones. They all look cheap and plastic next to this. You can just about see a snot green one in one of the photo's. Who is going to say that looks better? P.s I've never had a pole last much more than a year. The clamps don't last six months before they play up, sometimes not even that. Why should I think than off the shelf carbon poles are any better? The clamps on my fishing pole certainly won't wear out cos there aren't any.
By the way, I can use whatever brush I want. Yeah I could use a frayed rough looking ionics brush (it takes that appearence after about a week) but tesco value are better quality. And that's saying something. It's saying ionics are rip-off merchants.
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Good on ya for doing your own pole dude, more power to your elbow I say ;)
Mine is a Gardinders one, it does have advantages over your own, namely a stronger top section (done as a colaboration between gardiners and the pole manufacturers), and like your own it has no moving parts and no clamps to wear out, they have also worked out a method for ensuring the sections don't 'stick' or settle too deeply.
My old pole has lasted me three years, it's one of the cheap Unger aluminium poles, the little green bits wear forever wearing out >:( But it did its job and it's still there as backup if I need it ;)
If money is tight then going the DIY route makes perfect sense, if I was strapped for cash, or even if I just fancied the idea of making my own up, I'd do just the same as you...
Ian
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Thats a very honest reply Ian,
Now we are progressing. Pretty sure most of you know my thoughts ?
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My actual intention was to buy one from gardiners because I'm generaly a bit of a botcher with DIY. But I went to a local tackle shop just on a whim to see how light they are (fishing poles). I came out with one ten minutes later. The alterations worked well and I'm well pleased, plus I saved several hundred pounds which may buy me a backpack if I fancy one enough.
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Its another Ionics employee ranting away - they do this all the time.
what happened to that guy a few weeks back, i went on holidays, did he return to face the music OR did he just fade away ?? ?? ?
ive come home expecting a reply :( but nothing
so what did happen to the guy ?? ?? i guess he is now a millionaire living on some tropical isle, all ont he strenght of h"his" ionics system, all in the space of 3 months aswell, impressive
seriously, did he return
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No