[Alex Gardiner]

The carbon fibre technology in both of our latest poles we feel is some of the most advanced carbon fibre technology available in the world

If this is even partually correct then you are missing out on literally  billions of pounds in sales in the aerospace industry. I feel you should fully research the Health and Safety aspects of the use of carbon fibre poles in vacuming situations.

Glyn,

If I was interested in promoting the SL2 for vacuuming gutters then I might research it, but as I have repeatedly stated we are not interested in using the SL2 for vacuuming gutters.

One or two of our clients have managed to very cheaply get a dual usage from their current SL2, which is their perogative. Due to the number of requests we have had we are now supplying industrial vacuums, which several clients have bought for various purposes, not just gutters.

I personally agree with all the comments to do with wear and tear and if these poles were to be used for everyday commercial vacuuming then of course they would not last as long as an aluminium tube. I do not think that anyone is arguing with you on this point. Interestingly aluminium dust actually has more proven health implications than carbon.

I would not dream of pretending that we are leading the field in CF usage. We are simply borrowing from the technology developed by the Aerospace industry.

Nathanael
I dont believe Alex has ever been involved in this work as his poles are supplied ready made.

Once again Glyn a sweeping statement that has no factual basis, you 'believe' that I have never been involved in making/assembling carbon fibre and glass fibre poles. Wrong! 
Those in our firm that deal with aspects of pole construction would be most surprised by your comments that we get all of our poles 'ready made'. However I also believe in letting the best people for the job construct our technically advanced poles, so I would not dream of attempting to carry out complex processes that need decades of experience and advanced machinery. I think some of our clients would be quite perturbed if they thought the SL2 was being built out of an industrial unit in Cornwall!

Personally I like having a good interchange of opinions with Mr Howard and others. If there was no passion for the products then this would be a very boring forum The only thing I enjoy more is having a good 'discussion' with Foxman 

[Ian Curtis]

... on and on and on they go...

[Dean Aspects]

So  : to recap then doing a diy gutter vac is not worth the effort and i should just buy an off the shelf system

Dean

[poles apart]

Oh dear, oh dear......the best solution is to get the Upkeeper machine and then you avoid both carbon fibre and aluminium! Oh and it also has a 3 inch clear tube so no blockages!
Rod

[Mr H]

Oh dear, oh dear......the best solution is to get the Upkeeper machine and then you avoid both carbon fibre and aluminium! Oh and it also has a 3 inch clear tube so no blockages!
Rod

That is to big for most domestic UK gutters and they have had numerous complaints about it to......... They are waiting for an adapter from the US manufacturer.
(that is the gist of a conversation I overheard at the Wndex show between an Ionics salesman and a rather anoyed customer)

Regards
Mr H

[poles apart]

Oh dear, oh dear......the best solution is to get the Upkeeper machine and then you avoid both carbon fibre and aluminium! Oh and it also has a 3 inch clear tube so no blockages!
Rod

That is to big for most domestic UK gutters and they have had numerous complaints about it to......... They are waiting for an adapter from the US manufacturer.
(that is the gist of a conversation I overheard at the Wndex show between an Ionics salesman and a rather anoyed customer)

Regards
Mr H

It's not too big as I use mine regularly. The problem is that some builders tend to put the tile right up to the leading edge of the gutter leaving enough room to just about get your fingers in (ungloved!). They changed the design in the States but are now retrofitting them with an update I believe. I had mine prior to the changes.
Rod

[Kev R]

I will add my pennies worth.

I use the Omnivac a huge amount.  It is one of the best tools I have ever bought. I have several modified tools all made by Glyn at Omnipole. I have several large commercial contracts because of this machine!

I clean up to 3 stories on my own with no problems and after that to 48 I use another person with a support pole. But most large commercial jobs will require a cherry picker for guttering above roofs etc and any vac system just wont work because of impossible access (see pic)




 To be honest if its 4 stories or above I will have a cherry picker on site.

I have a possible job coming up that is at 60ft. It is in an internal courtyard (8 court yards in total) A cherry picker is out of the question even a Teupen spider lift wont fit due to very limited access. The scaffolding cost is over 18K. After testing the SL2 pole with MR H on a recent job, next to my Omnivac I would  consider buying an SL2 for this particular job as I will price it into the job. If it survives the job great if not who cares because it will have paid for its self over and over again. Also the contract will be mine for a long time to come. However Glyn is looking into this for me.

My final comments are

1. The Omnivac is an excellent tool and in its standard form will make you money

2. The Omnivac is all you will need for 99% of jobs and will last you much longer than a carbon fibre pole.

If most of your usage is like below buy an Omnivac



3. At  heights where a cherry picker is out of the question an SL2 has its use, but I have only ever come across one job like the one listed above.

4. Commercially if a part breaks or needs replacing I call Glyn and he sends me a new part as its quicker - saves time and messing about. I clean gutters for a living - I leave building guttervacs to the experts.

5. The Upkeeper is fine for domestic work but its no match for an Omnivac - trust me.

[Kev R]

Oh dear, oh dear......the best solution is to get the Upkeeper machine and then you avoid both carbon fibre and aluminium! Oh and it also has a 3 inch clear tube so no blockages!
Rod

Avoid carbon fibre and Aluminum and have cheap plastic instead!

a 3 inch clear tube that is useless after 25 feet as it just doesnt have the power!

[Jeff Brimble]

I will add my pennies worth.


5. The Upkeeper is fine for domestic work but its no match for an Omnivac - trust me.

Why ?
Good input.

ps. Thanks for the 23 hour delivery of my system Glyn.

[Ian Curtis]

Oh dear, oh dear......the best solution is to get the Upkeeper machine and then you avoid both carbon fibre and aluminium! Oh and it also has a 3 inch clear tube so no blockages!
Rod

What about using some sections of drainpipe?

[Jeff Brimble]

Tried it its tooo flexible after 18ft, try it for yourself its really cheap.

[Kev R]

I will add my pennies worth.


5. The Upkeeper is fine for domestic work but its no match for an Omnivac - trust me.

Why ?
Good input.

Its just lacking power Jeff.  Ionics only supply 25ft of tube for this very reason.

The other massive disadvantage is you cant do internal cleaning of overheads etc due to the petrol fumes.  

You would be better buying the Omnivac as you just have by the looks of things

Mind you if nobody else buys a gutter vac I will be very happy as Im making a killing LOL

[Jeff Brimble]

See I did listem to you at the show and I must be the most ardent and tightest diyer in Wales at least  .

Thats why I said good input/feedback, good of a pro to add comment, you have obviously been behind the scenes getting on with earning the £££ while most of here pontificate on whether or not to go waterfed etc. so its nice of people to call back- honestly.

[Kev R]

Thanks Jeff,

You'll end up doing more of this work than wfp in time. Its also a very good door opener another bolt on that will help you sell commercial wfp and vice versa.

[Dean Aspects]

Kev R
Could you give some examples of pricing up gutter jobs if you dont want to put prices on here you could email me windowcleaner@aspectswfp.co.uk
thanks

Dean

[poleman]

Tried it its tooo flexible after 18ft, try it for yourself its really cheap.

Jeff have you tryed it with bigger sleave joints! 

[Jeff Brimble]

WC Do you mean going up gradually a size ? say from 2-3"  if so , no. But itwas the plastic pipe itself I found on a warm day started to go too flexible.
Or do you have some other idea ?

[poleman]

WC Do you mean going up gradually a size ? say from 2-3"  if so , no.

No just extending the joints longer that joint the rain gutter sections together, would this stop the bend!

[poles apart]

Oh dear, oh dear......the best solution is to get the Upkeeper machine and then you avoid both carbon fibre and aluminium! Oh and it also has a 3 inch clear tube so no blockages!
Rod

Avoid carbon fibre and Aluminum and have cheap plastic instead!

a 3 inch clear tube that is useless after 25 feet as it just doesnt have the power!

That's odd because I regularly clean 3 stories and have also done some 4 story. If you prefer the Omnivac then fine, use it. I don't, I'm happy with the Upkeeper and it earns me good money. It doesn't need a seperate generator or  power supply so can go anywhere outside. It's also good to be able to see what you're sucking up flying down the tubes as you know that it's working well.
Each to his own!
Rod

[frames to panes]

Would someone be kind enough to post the prices please, of the three systems discussed here?