Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: p1w1 on April 19, 2008, 08:02:39 pm
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Hi,
I always buy 18ft glass fibre poles and get about a years use out of them before they wear out clamps go etc. Seeing that there are these new 30ft carbon fibre slx poles coming soon how long should i expect a carbon fibre pole to last with every day use as i am really thinking of saving some pennies and getting one but would like to know if it is worth it for me as i could get about 5 glassfibre to 1 of the new slx carbon fibre but i would like the extra hight too.
paul
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Have been using my Facelift 44ft c/f for the past 86 weeks now (am still a newbie) and I have broken a couple of clamps...(replaceable about a tenner each)) but other than that...despite being a bit war torn she is still earning her keep an I would imagine it should last for many years to come...
That said will relegate it to the reserves as I too will be getting one of those new fangled SL-X's as my primary pole.
I also have a 24ft glass fibre pole....I will only use it if I absolutly have to...it's ok for occasional use but for me...day in and day out would not be a happy thought...too heavy for me.
But in answer to your question...A c/f should last years and considering that this one piece of kit is what really enables you to earn...it is well worth the financial hit if you can stretch to it at the present (no offence meant).
Cheers and good luck.
Dave.
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thanks for the input dave,i get away with a 18ft pole but want a longer one for some light commercial work and would be handy to have and i wouldn't want to use a 30ft g/f pole but didn't want to spend that extra money if c/f pole can wear away as quickly as g/f pole i'm more bothered about it wearing away more then the weight.
Paul
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I can only say what has been good for me....I would imagine some of the more experianced guys will be along on the next couple of days with some good info...about different poles....
Cheers
Dave.
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i reckon i will go for this new sl-x but i'm in no rush so will probably wait and see what reviews it gets. I'ts the size of pole i'm after for every day use and like you say its what makes you the money so i dont mind paying extra for quality.
thanks again
Paul
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I have the facelift c/f pole had it for just over a year and their is no wear at all it did cost a fortune but as it is still as good as the day i bought it i have to consider it money well spent i expect it to last at least another 3/4 years and so this makes it a cheap pole quality pole
Dont know anything about the SLX but it also sounds like a good pole and imo it is worth spending the money on quality tools
Dean
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I bought the new Brodex 25ft Aluminum at Windex because it is both light and strong (guaranteed for 3 years)
I have had several glass fibre / hybrid / carbon poles and they all have lasted about a year - some less.
I am going to give the prolong a go, because if it does what is says it will I will be quids in. Another nice feature of the new pole is it has end stops to prevent over extension of the pole which Im sure will extend its life.
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Another nice feature of the new pole is it has end stops to prevent over extension of the pole which Im sure will extend its life.
That is the reason I will not be getting one!! I think it is much better if you can easily remove a section of pole so you can use it as an 18ft pole when you want to!!
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Another nice feature of the new pole is it has end stops to prevent over extension of the pole which Im sure will extend its life.
That is the reason I will not be getting one!! I think it is much better if you can easily remove a section of pole so you can use it as an 18ft pole when you want to!!
No need to remove a section its light enough. Doest the tubing run up the outside of your pole?, are you a modular user? have you tried weetabix for breakfast before work LOL?
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Groundhog I found one of your previous posts;
Quote from groundhog
"Both the clamps on my predator are totally knackered, and the levers have both snapped off. I read something on here about someone using a clampless pole so I thought I would try it with the old predator. I completely loosened off the clamps with a pair of pliers, to use it I hold the base of it in my right hand and I thrust it upwards and it goes up on its own, you have to hold the base where the hose goes in because it is only the hose that holds it up! when I have finished the upstairs windows I simply let go of the base and hose, and the pole falls back down, its not ideal as the pole easily spins, but now Ive get used to it I find it much quicker than messing about with clamps!!" end of quote.
You know people use forums for good advice. Most wish to run a successful business and make money in a safe and professional manner. If you cleaning houses by yourself, good luck to you, but if your ever considering expanding please be aware that staff have to be provided with tools that are safe and suitable for purpose.
Are there any modifications available for a 10 gallon hat you know of?
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Hi,
I always buy 18ft glass fibre poles and get about a years use out of them before they wear out clamps go etc. Seeing that there are these new 30ft carbon fibre slx poles coming soon how long should i expect a carbon fibre pole to last with every day use as i am really thinking of saving some pennies and getting one but would like to know if it is worth it for me as i could get about 5 glassfibre to 1 of the new slx carbon fibre but i would like the extra hight too.
paul
If you are looking for longevity over all other features then I would advise buying a Brodex Prolong or Omnipole Powerpole or Tucker pole. As with most things in life there is no one product that does it all. Composite poles, whether carbon fibre or glass fibre wear quicker than aluminium. Carbon fibre does last longer than glass fibre but still no-where near as long as an aluminium pole. The upside of carbon fibre poles is greatly reduced weight and better rigidity. If you rank these features as important, then carbon fibre has to be the way to go. It's all about deciding your priorities which only you know.
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I've gone through two top sections of the extel hybrid poles in seven months. They're quick, easy poles but they're also easy wearing, they don't last long with constant use. Tucker poles lasts forever, however the problem with the pennel clamps are that they snap easily if you put too much pressure on them if you are trying to use a long pole for ground windows. Ionics are the stiffest poles but the clamps don't last very long. Facelift seem about the best overall IMO.
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Ive been using cf facelift for 6 months hardly a mark on it this pole will last for years suprised nobody has brought out a wee chart to tell us wich one will last the longest.
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Ive been using cf facelift for 6 months hardly a mark on it this pole will last for years suprised nobody has brought out a wee chart to tell us wich one will last the longest.
Suppliers wouldn't want to publish this as it's detrimental to there USP's.
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This would great if you could actually make it a reliable test. How would you assess the usage. No one person would use/wear the pole in the same way as another person. We have clients who get 3 years from a cheap fibre glass pole and others who only get 12months.
The only way would be a machine generated wear usage on all poles at the same time. Realistically this would not be an achievable test due to the complexity of the machine needed to replicate the poles usage.
At the moment general user experience seem to suggest, fibre glass = short life expectancy (6 months - 2 years), Carbon Fibre = mid range life expectancy(1 year - 3 years) and Aluminium = long life expectancy (3 years - 6 years).
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I think what you say makes sense, i get maybe a year from a basic 18ft g/f pole with constant every day use and at around £100 to replace is not that bad as most of my work is residential so i guess really i dont need a c/f pole for every day use, however i do want a longer pole around the 30ft size but reckon i would probably use it say 4-6 hours a week so if i was to buy a c/f pole and spend the extra money that would probably last me for a fair few years would you think?
Thanks for all your input guys it has really helped,
Paul
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I use two poles for 99 percent of my work - I use the aluminum mini Omnipole and the Brodex Aluminum 25 ft. These poles are as lighter than there glass fibre equivalents and slightly heavier than the x-tel Hybrids. They are rigid.
At the moment I use a 40ft X-tel hybrid and a 60ft carbon x-tel for the higher stuff. I am unhappy with both of these poles due to flexibility for the 40 ft and weight for the 60ft.
I am considering switching to the SL2 for the high stuff and sticking with aluminum for the everyday stuff.
Most of my work is commercial at the moment so I think this would be a good mix.
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Over 4 months now using the Harris decorators pole from B&Q, I am using this pole day in day out for over 90% of my work. 5 metre, telescopic, aluminium, light weight and robust. Really easy to convert to WFP use.
AND LESS THAN £15.00.
This is a really handy little pole, and at that price you can throw them away and buy a new one. Dai
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Over 4 months now using the Harris decorators pole from B&Q, I am using this pole day in day out for over 90% of my work. 5 metre, telescopic, aluminium, light weight and robust. Really easy to convert to WFP use.
AND LESS THAN £15.00.
This is a really handy little pole, and at that price you can throw them away and buy a new one. Dai
Get a grip Dai for gods sake man lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Dont know how long Carbon fibre lasts, but I will NEVER EVER buy another glass fibre pole.
I have about a dozen glass fibre poles all in all, The first ones Ionics and brodex wore away at the clamps, splintered and snapped, the Brodex fairing slightly better even though they were both similar.
The latest Excell had 6 of them and they all snapped in at least 2 places per pole, they rough your hands up big time and dont last 2 mins, over 30 ft they are next to useless.
I have just bought a 60 ft carbon excell which up to now is holding up quite well, also just picked up the slx which seems good to, but will have to wait to see how they stand the test of time.
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Does anyone use a brodex prolong 30ft i had never heard of them before untill it was mentioned by alex earlier as i think that would be the right one for me. Would like anyones input
Paul
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Over 4 months now using the Harris decorators pole from B&Q, I am using this pole day in day out for over 90% of my work. 5 metre, telescopic, aluminium, light weight and robust. Really easy to convert to WFP use.
AND LESS THAN £15.00.
This is a really handy little pole, and at that price you can throw them away and buy a new one. Dai
Get a grip Dai for gods sake man lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
the man has got a grip :) its cracking little pole for your average houses nice
and light and easy to convert £15 a bargain hey if people want to spend more
fine for them i like my cash in my pocket ;D