[Rogue Trader]

I have bought a cheap van mount system and had a 24ft glassfibre pole thrown in . It is very bendy and heavy and it must be the cheapest of the cheap! I want something stiffer? and lighter but havent got oodles of cash .... any ideas?

[alanwilson]

what about a 24ft facelift fibreglass?

or a 24ft xtel hybrid?

[macmac]

Don't buy fiberglass, not even the facelift f/g. hybrid or carbon realy is worth every penny.

tony

[alanwilson]

thanks macmac, I got a 25ft brode carbon with my system, top notch pole cannot fault it at all but looking at buying something nearer the 40ft mark now for some new work.

[chrismroberts]

Xtel Hybrid..... BRILLIANT pole... light, strong, rigid, short when closed and long when extended. Perfect for every job!

[Londoner]

If you just want cheap then buy something shorter. I have a basic X-tel 18 in glass as my everyday pole and its very light and quick to use.
Depending on what make your old pole is it could be much heavier and more whippy.
Modern poles are definitetly better than their equivilents of a few years ago. And how often do you use the full 24ft extension? If you are like me not often, but you will still have the old pole if you need it.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

I got a 28ft xtel hybrid and worth every penny.  Not too bendy or heavy.  Don't go for a glass fiber at that length (24ft) they are almost unusable.

Simon.

[Londoner]

But you don't use it on your average 3 bed semi do you?

[NWH]

Macmac i see someone is swaying you towards the Hybrid,have you used one.

[Ian Lancaster]

David Salkeld did a brilliant post about converting a Cleantech pole.  Basic pole/end screw/plastic adjustable gooseneck/vikan brush/pole hose and fittings - about £70 all in.  Replaceable locking clamps about £1.50 each.

Two of my blokes use one as an everyday pole.  Replacement clamps mean they last forever

Cheap, light, rigid.

Anything else you need?

[macmac]

Macmac i see someone is swaying you towards the Hybrid,have you used one.

No matey, It's just got to be better than a glass pole for those who don't want to spend the pennies on a facelift carbon. i wouldn't advise anyone to buy a glass pole.
So no need to worry, i'm still firmly in the "pro" camp

tony

[dai]

For the past month I have been using a Harris 5 meter aluminium extension pole from B&Q. £15. I originally bought it to stick an Unger scraper on, but hey it does the job as a WFP pole, and they don't come cheaper than that. Dai

[Rogue Trader]

what about mini poles to do downstairs .... i also got "thrown in with my system price a 13ft glass pole to do ground and 1st floor but it is a bit too long to do all ground windows and very bendy doing 1st floor.

[NWH]

Get a 2x2 or a 3x3ft mini pole for downstairs £30-£40.

[Davew]

how do you work with a mini pole - do you cart two poles about on a two storey building?

[Davew]

Alex, on your S2 did you ever consider making the top section shorter to give you a less cumbersome, low level pole, say four feet long?

[Rogue Trader]

how do you work with a mini pole - do you cart two poles about on a two storey building?

What do you do Dave? ... do you have 1 pole for tops and bottoms?[

[NWH]

The places i do with the amount of window`s they have you wouldn`t want to do them all with a 30ft pole would you,if i could reach all window`s with an 18 or a 12ft pole i`d use just the 1 pole.

[Davew]

I see NWH. I use a cheap fishing pole - modular obviously, so all sections go up to three storeys and a bit. Just use top section about five foot i suppose for downstairs.

[NWH]

Don`t use the top section on it`s own you`ll snap it like a matchstick.