[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Hi All,

Just made up a 10m six section "Fishing Pole".

I got a second hand "Shimano" 11.5m without the top 3 sections for £50.

I cut the top section till it was the right diameter to take an unger top section.

I got a half sized top section from an unger pole.  Wrapped some strong tape around the lower end (about 3 - 4 mill thickness).  Then stuffed the unger section up the fishing pole section until it was fairly jammed.  Then I taped the 2 where they met with strong double sided tape topped with plastic tape.  Stuck an angle joint on and one of my "Tesco - Melodies!.

I then thought I don't want a load of spare hose if I use it short so:

I ran a length of 4mm Fish tank air hose down each section with a push fit connector at the bottom.  Then I made a delivery hose for the bottom with a male shrader connector for my Backpack.  I haven't got a flow valve on it yet.  As I can't fit one to the pole and I don't want one floating around on the delivery hose.  Then I am going to put one on the backpack.

To take out or add a section all I do is:

Turn off the water!
Disconnect the delivery hose from the BP
Disconnect the delivery hose from the bottom of the pole.

Then:
To add a section:
Push in the section.
Connect the tube.

To Take out a section:
Disconnect the tube on the section.
Pull out the section.

Connect the delivery hose.
connect to BP.

The main advantage is the weight.  Wow it's so much easier to use.

The disadvantage is all those sections.  What do I do with the spare section I take out when on a job.  I am well aware how brittle they are and am going to be careful not to drop the pole down on the floor vertically whilst in use.

I can imagine I will probably not use my Unger BEAST (30Ft 5 section Telepole) anymore as this Shimano is way way lighter.  But for everyday normal houses I might still use my "Cleantech" 18ft cut to 15ft.

The problem for everyday use is taking out and adding sections for upstairs and down....................................Mind you...I'll work on this with a couple of ideas:
1.  Carry the pole with 3 sections on my ladder ready to go.  Take it and my 4ft Downstairs pole.
2.   Carry the pole with 3 sections on my ladder ready to go.  Do a load of tops then take out 2 sections and leave safely at the last U/S window.  Go back and do the bottoms, finish near the last U/S window.  Fit the 2 sections and start again or load up and away.

Anyway I am looking forward to "Window testing" it next week.  I will keep you posted with some pics

Any ideas you mates can offer are welcome thanks.

David

[macmac]

All you need now is a head-band torch, as by the time you've added or taken away sections it'll be dark

tony

[simon knight]

Phew!

You're wasted as a w/c...go and work for BP as a pipework consultant!

[matt]

i went from a cleantech ali pole to a fishing pole

the difference in lightness is vast

i still use my unger beast of 3 X 3M on the odd high stuff i have

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Tony,

Yeah........That's the disadvantage.  But seriously,  I think I can minimize section swapping.

Simon,

Wait till you see wot valves n pipes I've added to my RO

Matt, 

Have you got any pics of how you use your pole........................oooooo, err
Your fishing pole window cleaning

You use a trolley system?  Do you carry the sections on the trolley?

David

[Alex Wingrove]

i tried that at first dave

complete waste of time and money

i know carry it on my rooof in some black soil pipe with end stops, it measures at 3m atm in the carrier, but that is without the top section with the brush on it, i just attack the top section twist it a few times to get the tube around the pole and away, i have one more bottom section to make it a bit longer for the few odd windows

[Jeff Brimble]

Give us updates on it Dave.
I suggest you put the 4mm air hose on the outside, you will not need a flow valve just fold the hose anywhere.
Bit late now but the glass Zensorflex No4 should fit over your no4 top section (or any modular) and take all the stick you can give it, next time fit your brush to that. Generally assemble when vertical. Carry 2 assembled over your shoulder and then one or  two sections in your hand. Be careful to space your hands to spread the load. Try not to lever the pole upright.  If your going to bust it, it will probably be in the first 4 weeks. By then you will be "hooked" on fishing poles. 

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Hi Jeff,

Pleased my Fishing pole topic caught you I'll post some pics next week.  I would appreciate your input.

Thanks
David

[Jeff Brimble]

Dave if your still using the backpack, make a simple waist belt hook or velcro one to loop the spare hose on. Or similar fitted to the backpac.
Tape round the butt sections to help reduce chipping.
You can also stand on the hose to turn the water off.

[Jeff Brimble]

Heres one of my best tips Dave, it involves a Pencil.

I always carry 30 metres of silicon algarde 4mmID supple hose, wrapped on the pac- comes in handy for doing long jobs when I take the pac off.
When you are doing high windows but then come down lower, the loose hose can get in the way- dog dirt etc. On the Snickers worksuit I wear it has a couple of pencil breast pockets, so stick a long pencil or a piece of dowel in it and use the bit of the pencil that sticks out as a "hook" to loop spare hose on without removing the pac. Very easy to see and get to. 

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Hi All,

Window Tested my fishing pole.................................................

Those connectors in each section was a BAD................REALLY BAD IDEA
 Water P****d out like a fancy fountain......................By 8:30am (started at 7:45) I was VERY tempted to chuck it in a skip .  So I abandoned it and had to use the UNGER BEAST
I went home for breky at 9:00 and cried me ickle eyes out cos me new toy was broke.  Well after a bit of comfort from Tracy I realized it was only the pipes : :

So after Breakfast I ripped of the lengths from each section and got another 35 ft of fish tank air hose.  Attached a Velcro fastener to the bottom of each section.  Put a Velcro strap on my Backpack belt......................Wo Ho ...........That's better  .....................

Got to go and collect my daughter from work.............but will post a few added extras I found

David

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Hi All,

I also found that now I have removed the pipe from each section the will store inside each other
That was OK until one section flew out of the end
Then I realized that the Velcro straps could be stuck together to stick each section to the next one
I then realized I didn't need the Velcro straps   Just twist the tube round a couple of times, as Alex said. 
The other thing is I don't have a stop valve on the pole or on the Backpack delivery hose.  So I use the switch to turn the water on and off.  At first I thought this would be a pain in the a***e.  But ....no it isn't.
What I do is flick to 1st setting to wash the window then flick to 2nd setting to rince.  The quickly 1,2,3, clicks and it's off.
Now this method is saving me quite a bit of water and is avoiding me having to fill up the Backpack as often.  And, as I am not using the pressure switch or turning the flow down and straining the pump the battery should last longer.  Mind you, on the other hand, I could wear out the switch which will mean a new PCB???

What do you think folks (Jeff?)

David

[windowwashers]

Hi All,

I also found that now I have removed the pipe from each section the will store inside each other
That was OK until one section flew out of the end
Then I realized that the Velcro straps could be stuck together to stick each section to the next one
I then realized I didn't need the Velcro straps   Just twist the tube round a couple of times, as Alex said. 
The other thing is I don't have a stop valve on the pole or on the Backpack delivery hose.  So I use the switch to turn the water on and off.  At first I thought this would be a pain in the a***e.  But ....no it isn't.
What I do is flick to 1st setting to wash the window then flick to 2nd setting to rince.  The quickly 1,2,3, clicks and it's off.
Now this method is saving me quite a bit of water and is avoiding me having to fill up the Backpack as often.  And, as I am not using the pressure switch or turning the flow down and straining the pump the battery should last longer.  Mind you, on the other hand, I could wear out the switch which will mean a new PCB???

What do you think folks (Jeff?)

David

just buy a pole and a flow control  far easier and less stressful 

[Jeff Brimble]

Backpacs are designed to take pressure they come with a trigger but you dont need it and most cut it off and just join up with the pole hose. I fit a small hozelocktap on near the brush to approximate the water needed at the point of use, but with a 4 position speed button you may not need that. Then just fold the hose temorary  in half at any convienient point whilst the pump is running to stop the water between windows.
My pole is nude, I tried the velcro and curtain rings and all sorts. just wrap the hose round about 3 times by spinning. You should get at least 9 months from a battery but as its getting colder now buy a spare and alternate it- about £14

[AuRavelling79]

Carry your fishing pole sections round in a golf bag - thats what I do.

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Ian,

I have 3 Unger poles with flow valves.  Been using them for 18 months. They are fine but the 30 footer is a BEAST and I have found (now I have stepped up a gear - for winter time) they are hard work.  I also had the chance of buying this pole for a reasonable price to see how I get on with a modular pole.  Now Tony (macmac) would, quite rightly, say "Get a Facelift" but £650!! D.Salkeld Ltd is in no position to invest that amount this time of year.

Jeff,

I have taken the trigger off and fitted a shrader female fitting. I also have 3 batteries that I cycle.  Where do you get them at £14?
I tried bending the pipe but the pump just cycled.
I agree about the Velcro. I won't use it to hold the hose.  But it is useful for holding the sections together whilst stored on the trailer (I'll take a pic so you can see what I mean).

Malc,

Thought of the golf bag.
My imagination started to race a bit out of control.  Why not get a golf cart and make a modular pole trolley system. Maybe not such a stupid idea actually.

But in all this I am trying to remember this is a window cleaning business NOT a WFP enthusiasts hobby..............................Oh....alright......maybe I am a bit of a WFP geek.

Tracy says I don't need to employ.


I have plenty of Poles working for me already

David

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Hi folks,

Sorry to keep batting on about this 'ere pole but.......................

Todays findings:

I found today I was working a bit slow with it

2 reasons why:

1.  I find that the water flow is a bit slower than the 6mm tube in my Ungers so rinsing has been a bit slower.

2.  Turning the Backpack on and off is a pain :

I abandoned it at about 3 this afternoon but have decided to:

1.  Possibly fit some 5 - 6mm tube
2.  Put a flow valve where I can use it easily. 

Any Ideas (Jeff)?

David

[NWH]

I find 5mm pole hose perfect size.

[Jeff Brimble]

Hmm, you must use quite a bit of water, a 4mmID hose can use 2 litres per min, try increasing the jet size ?
Ask a sparky to wire up a simple 2ft on/off extension switch and position near your rh hip.
Flow valve will be a prob with modular poles. Have you tried Algarde type silicon hose which you can pinch anywhere ?
I get my batteries from an agri supplier called Wynnstay Farmers but try a diasbility wheel chair shop or maplins.

[NWH]

What id is that algarde hose Jeff,is it as good as normal 5mm pole hose.