[Oakley Windows]

That fooled ya didnt it, how did I get below you? ooer missus! 

[jeff1]

I don't know thats spooky and I'm sat here watching the haunting

[ftp]

Well for a start it should have been offset. Gardiner's tool shaft connects at the middle of the paddle, this should have been to the side because of the very many narrow openings because of tile overhang.

Jeff's version two doesn't address this either (we haven't seen version 3)

If you were to offset it, would you not end up with one that only works left or right handed so to speak?

[jeff1]

Good point, you could make a double off-set for right and left handed people (more costs)

I don't personally think the off-set is a good idea now, after working with my own scoop for sometime now, I think pushing it with your body weight behind your pole is a better option to using just your arms for pulling or pushing (left or right) some of those gutter gardens can be deep rooted and can take a little force to dislodge, with your whole body weight behind you I feel it a much better option.

One of the deep rooted gardens I had to do took some force to dislodge,  it began to bend my scoop so this led me to improve it upto the Mk2 version and I added a bar to stop it bending and it works fine now but it goes to show the force sometimes needed to dislodge the deep rooted ones, doing this to the side I feel will tell on your arms at the end of the day.
(Just my opinion though)

[Clive McDonald]

The pictures were helpfull Jeff and I think you've done a good. There is no such thing as handedness in this

I did one today off ladders, but I was thinking about the problem.

It does need to be offset. And the shaft should come down at an angle. In your pictures your pole is at the right working  angle except that you should be pulling not pushing (if you were using the gutter plough)

Because of the offset there could well be a turning moment (the pole wanting to twist rather than come towards you face on).

[ftp]

Discount if it's offset surely your pole can only be used in one direction at one angle no?

[Clive McDonald]

no ftp (but if I angle the shaft that could limit the options)

Earlier Alex said something about this being a niche tool for a small minority of window cleaners (or something similar); I disagree ,I think this has mass appeal to nearly every householder ( maybe not at £46). At twenty five pounds it could be an ebay or a one product website business to make someone a tidy few grand.

Of course northern tools would source it in china and do the same thing for a tenner, but you might be able to get a lucratrive eighteen months out of it.

[ftp]

If it works you could be right, we already have the tools to reach most heights (poles) and Jeff has shown it is possible.

[jeff1]

If you look closely at the one Alex has for sale, I can see an improvement for some of the problems? First of all look at were the weld is that welds the plate to the tube, say an inch or two above this weld the tube could be expanded to drop the plate in just like a modular pole, there could be a pin to insert into a set of pre-drilled holes so that you could use it in any direction you choose by simply removing the pin twist the foot then re-insert the pin.

The second reason I thought about was the ability to change the foot from a flat bottom one to a round foot all by simply removing the pin and changing the foot and angling it to any direction one chooses.
(Just a thought.)

[jouk45]

that is a good idea jeff and very simple

[michael papworth]

Of course, you're also going to want to inspect before and after.

Here's my Mk II offering for that.

It's an aftermarket fitting motorcycle mirror. It's a 4" diameter convex, so you can get a reasonably close-up view or a wide-angle view depending on the height of the mirror above the gutter.

Cost = £10 from a specialist m/cycle shop.

[Clive McDonald]

Excellent.
How is it for inspections, can you see what's going on?

The other two brilliant aspects to this is that you can show the customer what you've done. They don't have to take your word for it that it's clear,and what a bit of kit to pull out when you do a quote.

I've had a couple of ideas, but i didn't have this one, so well done.

I'm sure there is a low tech and simple solution to all aspects of. removing the debris.The best solution that has occured to me so far is a tool that mimics a low profile trowel, this would allow the muck to be lifted outl. Some method of collection is required though to prevent the muck from falling down onto my eyes and face.

[michael papworth]

Excellent.
How is it for inspections, can you see what's going on?

The other two brilliant aspects to this is that you can show the customer what you've done. They don't have to take your word for it that it's clear,and what a bit of kit to pull out when you do a quote.

I've had a couple of ideas, but i didn't have this one, so well done.

I'm sure there is a low tech and simple solution to all aspects of. removing the debris.The best solution that has occured to me so far is a tool that mimics a low profile trowel, this would allow the muck to be lifted outl. Some method of collection is required though to prevent the muck from falling down onto my eyes and face.

I'm right up there with you on this.

These photos are of what I've been doing this weekend.

It isn't intended to be anything more than testing a general principle. It certainly isn't offered as a finished solution.





It's simply a cheap trowel from B&Q with a 19 mm hole drilled through the handle. This fits snugly on the aluminium thread on a Harris pole. I had a go at my own gutters, and it certainly did clear muck out. The only problem was that it got stuck a few times! The next version will be better.

The problem is that the trowel is just a bit too wide to fit into the gutters easily. There are therefore three possible options:
1 - grind it down
2 - hammer it closed
3 - use a much narrower trowel.

I'll have a think about these when I get the time.

The finished article should be ready for unveiling next weekend.

The projected cost will be a touch under the £46 + VAT = £54.05 that Alex is asking.


Some method of collection is required though to prevent the muck from falling down onto my eyes and face.

Don't see why. Jeff1's photos just show the stuff fallen on the ground and then he sweeps up afterwards. Just let the stuff fall. You're not working overhead; you're probably working a meter or more infront of yourself. Wear PPE.

[jouk45]

wally i found this on the net, fairly cheap  for gutter inspections,

here is where to buy
www.kitbag.com.au/prod835.htm

[Clive McDonald]

Uumh, thanks joe, you're not going to suggest I wear a bee keeping hat to catch the debris are you?

Yes, the trowel, my idea would be you don't need the handle, but use the same method as alex apart from the shaft attaching to the side of the scoop (making it offset).

I'm pretty sure this would work. It would be nice to figure a way of collecting the the dirt instead of it falling into your face. It's okay for Jeff; I'm pretty sure he makes the boss stand there.

[Clive McDonald]

I forgot to say we still haven't addressed the problem of unblocking the down pipe. Have you any thoughts on this?

[Jeff Brimble]

If you suck with a machine at the top of a blocked downspout and blow from the bottom it often clears many blockages.
The new Omni is both a suck and blow vac.

Someone also suggested using flexible electricians underfloor wiring rods from Machine Mart. to go up the downpipe.

[windowwashers]

I forgot to say we still haven't addressed the problem of unblocking the down pipe. Have you any thoughts on this?

worm screw and drain rods maybe

[jouk45]

guys its not a net, its a professional telescopic viewing mirror  look at the link
www.kitbag.com.au/prod835.htm

[jeff1]

I use a BT fish wire on a reel, its fitted with a small hook on the end to unblock them.

I must say though, I don't come across that many that are blocked in there downpipes and on average I do a few guttering jobs every week.

I still prefere my CCTV for the inspections, my eye's arn't that good to see the muck in a mirror 20' away : for those with good eye sight, you could fit the mirror to alex's scoop.

I still think cleaning by pushing is the best option, I suppose for safety reasons its like when using a knife for cutting, you always cut away from yourself, so cleaning away from yourself any muck that fly's out will be going away from you and not towards your face or eye's.