[dd]

I have 3 clx poles which I like. Only downside is I find I have to adjust clamps maybe 8-10 times a day. I contacted Alex and he thinks it is due to overtightening the clamps and stripping the thread.

I am careful with my poles and do not believe this to be so and is an issue on all three poles.

And yes, one day I will splash out and get an slx.

So is it just me, or is it a common issue?

[Frankybadboy]

probaly  once aweek if that   

[Alex Gardiner]

I have 3 clx poles which I like. Only downside is I find I have to adjust clamps maybe 8-10 times a day. I contacted Alex and he thinks it is due to overtightening the clamps and stripping the thread.

I am careful with my poles and do not believe this to be so and is an issue on all three poles.

And yes, one day I will splash out and get an slx.

So is it just me, or is it a common issue?

With age what can happen is that the locking nut part of the thread on the barrel nut can wear. This allows the lever bolt to loosen off in use. To sort this fit new barrel nuts to the clamps affected - you should notice quite a difference.

[DeLuce]

I tend to tweek throughout the day   , but I have a history of overtightening  things  : and it only rarely does my head-in

[[GQC] Tim]

I have to adjust some clamps a few times during them day. Believe it was even when the nuts were new, never understood why. Maybe because of different temperatures of the van, then going out in the cold. Plastic clamps expanding and contracting perhaps. Cold or hot water, same thing.

[the gedi]

hi i have a clx and a slx , i wrap a single layer off plumbers tape around the bolt then refit it in the nut and that stops it undoing itself during the day   

[[GQC] Tim]

hi i have a clx and a slx , i wrap a single layer off plumbers tape around the bolt then refit it in the nut and that stops it undoing itself during the day   

That's a good tip.

[Dylanb]

hi i have a clx and a slx , i wrap a single layer off plumbers tape around the bolt then refit it in the nut and that stops it undoing itself during the day   

Was going to suggest the same, works a treat. I Think if the thumb nut was made with a locking seal like locking nuts, it would fix the issue. They are just too free spinning when the clamp is open, you can spin it anti-clockwise a bit by knocking it with your thumb when you open the clamp. Not a big deal, pfte tape for now...

[Dylanb]

Oh just read Alex's post! Maybe mine are worn, I didn't think they had a locking seal

[Tom White]

It's no big deal to give a loose pole section clamp a quick tweak.

[d s windowcleaning]

I have 3 clx poles which I like. Only downside is I find I have to adjust clamps maybe 8-10 times a day. I contacted Alex and he thinks it is due to overtightening the clamps and stripping the thread.

I am careful with my poles and do not believe this to be so and is an issue on all three poles.

And yes, one day I will splash out and get an slx.

So is it just me, or is it a common issue?

With age what can happen is that the locking nut part of the thread on the barrel nut can wear. This allows the lever bolt to loosen off in use. To sort this fit new barrel nuts to the clamps affected - you should notice quite a difference.

You say with age alex , im having to tighten these up every day when im using my pole sometimes 3 or 4 times a day on the same clamp . Ive had this pole for about 4 weeks so if its a age thing why is it happening on something new ?
I really like the pole its a slx25 but the nuts could be better .

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi ds

It is usually age that causes this however sometimes it can be other reasons. Drop me an email and I can arrange for some new barrel nuts to be sent out to you.

[Matthew JN]

Think it also has to do with the ambient tempertature and the plastics that gardiners use.  They expand and contract on both CLX and SLX poles.

If i adjust a clamp correctly when plastic is cold, then when it warms up it expands and the clamp needs loosening slightly.

Personally i use a good nylon lubricant on the clamp levers - they dont work well without or last without.

[Matthew JN]

Just to add..

Better quality plastics equals higher cost.

[Alex Gardiner]

I also use these poles regularly and I do not have to adjust the clamps much at all. As to the temperature affecting them I have not noticed this myself , but I will look into it.

As to the quality of the plastic used these are made by a specialist manufacturing firm here in the UK. They are made from fibre glass reinforced nylon which was chosen after much trialling. Cost of these items has never really come into the equation as the manufacture cost easily outweighs the material cost of the plastic.

[bad trippy]

I hope we aint gonna get "30 seconds per day x 5 days a week x 48 weeks = £34.50" posters on this thread 

[Perfect Windows]

I also use these poles regularly and I do not have to adjust the clamps much at all. As to the temperature affecting them I have not noticed this myself , but I will look into it.

As to the quality of the plastic used these are made by a specialist manufacturing firm here in the UK. They are made from fibre glass reinforced nylon which was chosen after much trialling. Cost of these items has never really come into the equation as the manufacture cost easily outweighs the material cost of the plastic.

One other cause of issues when the pole gets seriously long in the tooth is that the levers wear out their "cam" shape, so tightening them has less and less effect.

Alex, just a thought you might want to take on.  Why not produce a "pole spare kit" with a set of replacement levers, barrel nuts, decent tape for stops, etc in there?  I know we can (and I do) buy them separately but a set might just be a little simpler and encourage people to have spares with them.  And make you some more sales, of course!

Vin

[dd]

It only takes a few seconds to actually adjust the clamp but it can be irritating when it interrupts a flow of work, having to take brush off glass because pole section is spinning. Apart from that think these are very nice poles. Is it possible to use better quality barrel nuts?

The guys who suggest using plumbers tape - seems like a good idea, thanks.

[Alex Gardiner]

Food for thought dd and Vin, thanks.