Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Pj on January 15, 2008, 04:19:52 pm
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Choose 2 votes if you want.
I'm thinking of getting one, so I'd be interested to know your opinions please.
There are apparently hundreds of you using them.
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Been using nothing but modular for nearly a year now for all of my work, i'm going telescopic soon mainly because it will be quicker not having to retrieve my sections around every job and because there will shortly be a pole on the market that will be closer to a modulars weight. For the high stuff i intend to continue with my S2. If you want pure lightweight then nothing beats modular poles.
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PJ I have a modular pole, I switched to it for the extra rigidity it offered at greater heights but I like it so much that I have now put modular sections and brushes in all my vans instead of the telescopic ones I use them even for domestic work now.
I spent €2000 on the first one a year ago and I have not had to replace any of it since unlike the telescopic ones I felt I was buying bits and replacing them nearly every week. I have about 15 broken and battered telescopic poles in my store in various stages of disrepair, never again for me.
They are expensive but IMO worth it. Hope taht is of some use to you in your decision.
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I only use my modular (Superlight2) for windows I can't reach with my main pole.
I use a 12ft fibreglass extender, which is cheap and quick and easy to extend.
If I need more I use the carbon.
I used my old Superlight for everything, and it splintered in 4 or 5 months.
So, yes they're brilliant, but don't use it unless you have to.
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i have been using a 30ft xtel fibreglass for 9 months and its a good pole but i bought an 18ft carbon hybrid modular pole from emporium poles for about £60.00 and i now use it all the time on domestic and com work , its very light and rigid and you notice that your a lot less tired at the end of the day , they will be launching a 30ft carbon hybrid telescopic pole very soon at a price that is very affordable , go carbon they,re the only poles i.ll be using from now on
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I'm not surprised if you've been using a 30ft fibreglass! :o
It's fine at 12ft, you don't need carbon at that height.
I had a 24ft x-tel, and used it (or tried to) one one window, then put it back in it's box. :-\
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Thanks for your view guys, very helpful as usual.
I've wrecked one of my arms about a month ago working in a fairly strong wind struggling with my 35ft Ionics carbon fibre 'ergolite!!!!' My arm has probably had it for another 3 months.
I'm getting too old for all this heavy work :-[
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I'm not surprised if you've been using a 30ft fibreglass! :o
It's fine at 12ft, you don't need carbon at that height.
I had a 24ft x-tel, and used it (or tried to) one one window, then put it back in it's box. :-\
Same here i think i managed a week with it - terrible
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Having originally adapted a fishing pole, I have been suggesting modulars for two years now. Gardeners and Emporium are now marketing purpose built wfp. Injurys from over exerting with heavy poles can become permanent, you now have a choice and money doesnt come into the equation.
If you want to go over 25-30ft get a c/f modular, they are a joy to use, when you see a bandwagon get on it. ;). I am 57 and find that they are life extending from a window cleaning point of view.
Sieze the advantage and go for the higher height work before someone else gets it - if its not already too late in your area !
Dont bother with old technology. Bit blunt but get on with it and stop asking the same questions of "which pole do I get"
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Jeff, sorry to go out of topic but where did you get your ibc tanks? Luke
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Seconhand had orange juice in they came ready to go rinsed out, http://www.dvfuels.co.uk/product.asp?pid=38
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http://wfpole.110mb.com/
OR
http://wfpole2.110mb.com
PJ, we have a discussion on it on the DIY forum
its the best move ive made in WFP, its lightweight and a delight to use ( sure it might only last 6 - 12 months due to wear and tear , BUT at 21 quid its cheap enough aswell )
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Having originally adapted a fishing pole, I have been suggesting modulars for two years now. Gardeners and Emporium are now marketing purpose built wfp. Injurys from over exerting with heavy poles can become permanent, you now have a choice and money doesnt come into the equation.
If you want to go over 25-30ft get a c/f modular, they are a joy to use, when you see a bandwagon get on it. ;). I am 57 and find that they are life extending from a window cleaning point of view.
Sieze the advantage and go for the higher height work before someone else gets it - if its not already too late in your area !
Dont bother with old technology. Bit blunt but get on with it and stop asking the same questions of "which pole do I get"
Thanks Jeff........
Bit blunt but stop being a cranky old man! I haven't asked this question before
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scuse my ignorance....what is a modular
is it tapered sections?
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Youve got to have one PJ its a must IMO, I use mine for everything over the reach of my 24' carbon Hybrid
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PJ the blunt bit wasnt directed at you in paticular- so sorry if it came out that way
- it was for everybody ;D 8)
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Jikwan heres the original fishing pole but we just use them vertically. look for the F16 http://www.cheshirefishing.co.uk/shop/mappoles.htm
But I now reccomend the Ultralite
http://www.emporiumpoles.co.uk/?ultra-lite_poles
Or Alex has the S2 http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/SUPER-LITE_2__DIY_KIT.html
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fishing poles?
stick one piece onto another=modular
ah hah
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PJ the blunt bit wasnt directed at you in paticular- so sorry if it came out that way
- it was for everybody ;D 8)
It's ok Jeff no offense taken ;)
By the way, sorry the grumpy old man bit wasn't meant for everyone, it was directed at you personally ;D
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I'm not surprised if you've been using a 30ft fibreglass! :o
It's fine at 12ft, you don't need carbon at that height.
I had a 24ft x-tel, and used it (or tried to) one one window, then put it back in it's box. :-\
Same here i think i managed a week with it - terrible
Mate of mine just cut all the sections down by 12" to 14", he uses it all the time now and thinks its great. but the standard 24" >:(
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Interesting point jeff about snapping up all the high work
word of caution too much high work - problem :(
especially when high winds - best to have a
mix of high and lower work.
Tris
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Yes Tris but the high work also includes low work just that you can do it and someone else maybe not.
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Jikwan heres the original fishing pole but we just use them vertically. look for the F16 http://www.cheshirefishing.co.uk/shop/mappoles.htm
But I now reccomend the Ultralite
http://www.emporiumpoles.co.uk/?ultra-lite_poles
Or Alex has the S2 http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/SUPER-LITE_2__DIY_KIT.html
jeff,
what r the advantages/disadvantages between the emporium/gardiner and a fishing pole.
we used a cple of zensorflex(with your help) for some higher than normal workand found that they were a pain to add sections and remove sections, also they were very light and we didnt feel we could put any pressure on the glass for fear of breaking them. surely surely the assembly probs are the same with what you might call the proffessional poles, the reason i ask is that those poles are rather expensive compared to a fishing pole and if you have the same probs then why pay more for them
thanks
Bill
p.s.
we were using one of gaz's very light brushes ( because at the time we wanted the pole as light as possible) maybe we would have a better time with a vikan on the end
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Yes Bill, same as a sensorflex But but :) ..off to work back tonight
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Hi billozz
You could ask NWH as he has both the S2 and the Emporium and has worked with an adapted fishing pole in the past.
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what is this we are talking about?
modular???
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Yes Jsmc Bill wants to know a few things, it should be a topic by itself.
Whats the advantages of Gardiner v Ultralite, against a cheaper fishing pole ( I think ? )
40ft Fishing pole £250 Ultra/S2 £395ish
So for £140 extra you get a guarantee and a stronger purpose designed pole. Thats about as simple as I can make it. But those prices are for the pole only, with the fishing pole you also have to put your own gooseneck on wheras if you pay a bit more you can have a ready to go out of the box package, brush, neck and hose.
I still have and use the F16 to compare with the Ultra and I would say that in performance and use there is hardly any difference. The 3 do the same job. Spares for the fishing poles may take up to 2 weeks wheras with the others are off the shelf next day. I have only held the S2 not worked with it, but I own an Ultralite so cannot give a fair comparison. I do like the butt protectors and the stiff top sections, its also the lightest in the world. The S2 may be stronger but maybe the Ultra is stiffer . I dont think theres much between them. If you all say Jeffs sitting on the fence ! , then OK of the 3 I like the Ultralite.
But time will tell.
Meanwhile buy any of them.
Tristan, if the wind blows that hard, it could also bring down any of the telescopics with a heavier thud ! ( I hope it doesn't as I am hoping to be going above 70ft at the weekend)
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More of a man than me mate.
I work at 65ft with an S2 - its great
previously used the old 60ft OTT carbon lamp post
Any higher has to be a 2 man job for sure. ;)
Tris
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If your looking to buy an S2 at any length it`s well worth the money,it`s not just an adapted fishing pole it`s mega strong and won`t break when lowering it from height unlike the old pole.If you buy one get Alex to glue a thread in the end of the top section for you prior to delivery it will improve the pole 10 fold trust me,it does have flex but it`s minimal compared to others you can actually use the little bit of flex to your advantage.
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my pole does every house on my round, sure they are only 2 storey houses ( i dont have any 3 storey town houses now )
for 21 quid, its a steal
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If your looking to buy an S2 at any length it`s well worth the money,it`s not just an adapted fishing pole it`s mega strong and won`t break when lowering it from height unlike the old pole.If you buy one get Alex to glue a thread in the end of the top section for you prior to delivery it will improve the pole 10 fold trust me,it does have flex but it`s minimal compared to others you can actually use the little bit of flex to your advantage.
NWH, i thought you were the only person who didn't get on with the S2?
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Didn`t get on with the put over end peice,but as for build quality it`s second to none.
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Wouldn't want to rock the boat with an SL-X on order. ;) ;D