[wynne jones]

Buy a second hand 135psi machine like a ninja and go on proper training if you need it.

For some reason there seems to be a low moisture tide on the forum  Next week it will be something else so check the tide next week before you buy.

[derek west]

i'm selling all my kit and going hoovering. its the future.

[richie]

Colin, perhaps i should have worded my different.  My suggestion was based on what others have said regarding the machines and the dealing with the two mentioned companies.  Alltec are not getting great feedback regarding customer service the past few months. Everyone is saying how great Cleansmart are and the fact the Airflex is brilliant.  I didnt mention the Scorpian because the guy asking only asked about the 2 above mentioned machines.  Remember, these forums are full of what experience people have had with different machines and companies and as i said.....that is where i got the info from hence saying go for the Airflex.

Richie.

[Joe H]

The thread question was :  what would you have bought with hindsight

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and also in this game what we have now in terms of machines, tools and cleaning fluid were not available years ago.

I am very happy to use my Scorpion or my Prowler as my main machine, and would definately chose either if I could go again.
Obviously one costs twice as much as the other - so budgets have a lot to do with choices.

Tools - wouldnt change my CFR upholstery tools - I bought the 5" unit probably 5 years ago now and its brilliant. Got a 3" head as well now.

Cleaning fluids - I have loads of only part empty containers of fluids or powders.
I have had lots of success with Double Clean but I suppose Powerburst has taken that over but it is a higher ph. Good for very bad jobs.
In association with above - Hydramaster Clean Water Rinse to nutralise.
I have done well with M-Power and Nemesis (in the same class of cleaning fluids, and now with Fusion8 for hwe and Fusion Clean for Rotary.
What I am saying above, is if I could start again I now know I wouldnt need all the fluids and powders I have. Not saying lots of them are rubbish because they are not - its just I have, by experience, found what I am comfortable with at this moment.
However, research and development carries on unknown to us, and I have no doubt in months and years to come new products will come out and take the place of what we use now - thats a surety.

[Colin Day]

Fair do's Richie, but I have only ever had to contact Alltec on minor issues (Loose unions and connections) and I've always found Alltec very helpful and courteous and above all.... patient!

To be honest, if I was to buy another porty, I'd go for the Scorpian. It's a very versatile, thought out machine and I know from experience that the customer service is second to none....

[David Rogers]

Buy a second hand 135psi machine like a ninja and go on proper training if you need it.

For some reason there seems to be a low moisture tide on the forum  Next week it will be something else so check the tide next week before you buy.

Bah humbug!   

i'm selling all my kit and going hoovering. its the future.

Bah humbug again! 

[Cathedral Floorcare]

I'd save a few quid and get the 600psi Airflex Pro instead of the Turbo. I did that, and thought I'd get the triple vac later on when I needed it, but so far I haven't felt the need as the twin-vac still has enough vac power. Good drying times too.

[james roffey]

Definately a new machine instead of second hand, because of the money i spent with Ashbys getting it "SERVICED" cost me as much as if i had got a new one, which is is why the Ninja is my spare and i have an Airflex turbo which although not new it only had 7 hours on it and came from Cleansmart who i expect better thing from than i got from Ashbys and from first impressions was a wiser choice.

[wynne jones]

Jim,

I have a different view. Buy a Nija second hand and have it serviced ANYWHERE other than Ashby's. The Ninja is a solid piece of kit but Ashby's are very expensive service wise.

[Mark_Jubb]

Definately a new machine instead of second hand, because of the money i spent with Ashbys getting it "SERVICED" cost me as much as if i had got a new one, which is is why the Ninja is my spare and i have an Airflex turbo which although not new it only had 7 hours on it and came from Cleansmart who i expect better thing from than i got from Ashbys and from first impressions was a wiser choice.

Don't think they'll have to try too hard to better Ashbys service   :

[Joe H]

I'd save a few quid and get the 600psi Airflex Pro instead of the Turbo. I did that, and thought I'd get the triple vac later on when I needed it, but so far I haven't felt the need as the twin-vac still has enough vac power. Good drying times too.

An interesting statement.

How will you know you got to the point "when I need it", referring of course to the need of a triple vac.

[Colin Day]

I'd save a few quid and get the 600psi Airflex Pro instead of the Turbo. I did that, and thought I'd get the triple vac later on when I needed it, but so far I haven't felt the need as the twin-vac still has enough vac power. Good drying times too.

An interesting statement.

How will you know you got to the point "when I need it", referring of course to the need of a triple vac.

If that makes any sense, you may as well make do with a single vac machine

[creighton foyle]

thanks for the helpful replies guys, i'm even more confused now. anyone think i should do the ncca course first (in september) and then buy the machine after spending a couple of days talking to other guys and the tutors on the course

[derek west]

now thats a good shout, you'll learn alot from the ncca course and probably just as much from the guys on the course,

[Cathedral Floorcare]

I'd save a few quid and get the 600psi Airflex Pro instead of the Turbo. I did that, and thought I'd get the triple vac later on when I needed it, but so far I haven't felt the need as the twin-vac still has enough vac power. Good drying times too.

An interesting statement.

How will you know you got to the point "when I need it", referring of course to the need of a triple vac.

Because I've downscaled from a t/m and eventually I plan to mount the porty in the van and run a fresh water tank next to it, so a triple vac will allow me to use longer runs. That said I often run 75 feet from the van and it copes really well, but I don't know if that means the vacs are having to work a lot harder and therefore reducing their lifespan.

[Mark_Jubb]

I'd save a few quid and get the 600psi Airflex Pro instead of the Turbo. I did that, and thought I'd get the triple vac later on when I needed it, but so far I haven't felt the need as the twin-vac still has enough vac power. Good drying times too.

An interesting statement.

How will you know you got to the point "when I need it", referring of course to the need of a triple vac.

Because I've downscaled from a t/m and eventually I plan to mount the porty in the van and run a fresh water tank next to it, so a triple vac will allow me to use longer runs. That said I often run 75 feet from the van and it copes really well, but I don't know if that means the vacs are having to work a lot harder and therefore reducing their lifespan.

Downscale from a TM, now looking to mount a porty in the van with water tanks, so a DIY TM then ?