Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: [GQC] Tim on April 27, 2009, 09:33:25 am

Title: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 27, 2009, 09:33:25 am

I've got a lot of domestic work, and I find that it's a lot easier to move the reel about around the van, instead of having it bolted on the van floor.

But a 100m minibore hosereel is not the lightest thing in the world. I was wondering how much lighter a reel of microbore is? Would it be worth swapping it?

I've got a blue metal hosereel from Purefreedom, which is really light, so I don't think I can save much weight on that.
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: CLEANGLASSUK on April 27, 2009, 09:37:07 am
I used to use microbore but then changed to minibore because the flow rate on the microbore was to slow.
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: Alex Gardiner on April 27, 2009, 10:26:33 am
The lightest set-up you can have for lifting in and out of a vehicle is a Hozelock reel with 100m of microbore - nothing else comes close.
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 28, 2009, 11:36:40 am
I used to use microbore but then changed to minibore because the flow rate on the microbore was to slow.

Was that with a varistream or other controller?

The lightest set-up you can have for lifting in and out of a vehicle is a Hozelock reel with 100m of microbore - nothing else comes close.

Can you tell me more? How much would the difference be between micro and mini, have you ever tested that? :)
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: Alex Gardiner on April 30, 2009, 09:19:36 pm
I used to use microbore but then changed to minibore because the flow rate on the microbore was to slow.

Was that with a varistream or other controller?

The lightest set-up you can have for lifting in and out of a vehicle is a Hozelock reel with 100m of microbore - nothing else comes close.

Can you tell me more? How much would the difference be between micro and mini, have you ever tested that? :)

There is quite a difference in the weight.  A reel of dry microbore is noticeably lighter than a reel of dry minibore.  Also, the minibore will hold about a third more water in the reel which will add to the weight (about 3/4 of a litre or 750g more).
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: P @ F on April 30, 2009, 09:34:20 pm
My observation on this matter is , why do you take the reel from the van ?
Mine stays in the van at all times , i have 3 bits of batten screwed to the floor covered with PVC right angle , i just turn it from the back door to side door and pull away , i have in my eyes a cheap reel full of 100m of microbore , it has never pulled itself from the van in 5 years , incidentaly , this is the only reel i have had in the 5 years since i have started !

Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: Alex Gardiner on April 30, 2009, 09:35:18 pm
I agree, it is a lot easier if you leave the reel in the van.  However, I like the ultimate flexibility of placing the reel exactly where I want.
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: smearo on April 30, 2009, 09:37:42 pm
its alright if you have enough room in yr van ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: P @ F on April 30, 2009, 09:47:46 pm
That pic was when i first got a bigger van , i have had a few move arounds since , but i refuse to change the reel setup as it works so well , it does however take a tiny bit of paint off certain places , but nothing to worry about

 Rich P @ F 
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: P @ F on April 30, 2009, 10:14:26 pm
This is the new setup
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: mark dew on April 30, 2009, 11:02:27 pm
Rich, does the hozelock connection leak on that reel.
I'm using a hoselock reel from alex 3 years ago and still going strong but it leaks. Even with new hozelock fittings.
 
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: NWH on April 30, 2009, 11:04:30 pm
You most probobly need a new brass elbow,mine has just failed after about 6 months.
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: mark dew on April 30, 2009, 11:08:03 pm
You most probobly need a new brass elbow,mine has just failed after about 6 months.

Can i use a brass elbow with my reel? The spindle is plastic and i assumed i couldn't but i will get one if it would work.
 
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: NWH on April 30, 2009, 11:19:54 pm
I use a brass elbow with a plastic spindle and it dosen`t leak at all.
Title: Re: Worth switching from mini to microbore?
Post by: P @ F on April 30, 2009, 11:46:17 pm
I also got a brass fitting , but it chewed up the plastic in no time , what you might find is that the fitting on the actual reel has worn and needs renewing , or it could just be the rubber o ring on said fitting , dont forget , these things do a crazy ammount of revolutions per day , they are gonna wear !

If i ever have a prob with leaks or pressure loss , the first thing i do is check all the o rings on all the connections , 90 % of the time this is the problem , when i think back to how many times i have ripped the system apart trying to find the fault , and it always turned out to be that poxy little dough nut of rubber !

Rich P @ F