Everyday pole

[Den]

Going to buy a gardiner backpack and gardiner slx pole my question is what one 18 or 22 not much weight between them mainly for everyday use and what brush do you recommend for everyday use.

Thanks.

Den.

 

[Marko067]

The extra 4 feet of the 22 will give you more access to more places including many three story properties. I would personally recommend one of the ultimate Gardiner brushes, but not the stiff one unless you're using hot water.

My favourite is the flocked brush.

 

[Den]

Cheers mark where a bouts in Essex are you based mate.

Den.

 

[Poles Apart]

I've got both there is a noticeable difference in "working weight" I use the 18 where I can I'd question the listed weight difference?

 

[Den]

Hello poles apart thanks for your views, according to there website only 280g more than the 18 what brush and Jets do you recommend looking to get as many opinions as possible

Thanks.

Den.

 

[1576]

Use an 18 and a 22. The 22 comes out only on the jobs that I know need the extra bit of length. Otherwise it's the 18 which is definitely an easier pole to use all day.

 

[David K]

I love my clx 22 , Got 2 extensions for a few jobs , but the 22 is useable most common jobs .

Brush is a matter of taste IMO , but gardiners "medium mixed hair " is great for me , and quite good on first cleans too.

 

[Marko067]

Got to admit Den, that if most of your work can be done with an 18' pole and only a small number with a longer one then if you budget can stretch to it get two. My kit is an SLX18' for 95% of my work and a SLX25' for the longer reaches. My recommendation for the 22' pole was if you're looking for one good all rounder to start with. The 22 foot pole stiil has good reach but is significantly shorter when collapsed than the SLX25 and easier to use on ground floor windows when the room to move is restricted. This is my experience, but it does depend on your work and only you know what that is like.

My experience with the CLX poles is as follows:

The 18' pole is very good, even at full reach. It is less rigid than the SLX equivalent but at 18' you won't notice it too much. The weight was the deciding factor for me as I suffer RSI in my wrists easily and I really do notice the difference between the two.

The CLX 22 is also a nice pole. However, at full reach it is noticeably less rigid and for me this was a big problem. It is more unwieldy and tended to cause me shoulder strain. Add to that the extra weight, I changed them both for SLXs as soon as I could. Never regretted it!

I'm south Essex by the way

 

[Den]

Nice one Mark good info, I know south Essex well was born in the most southern town in Essex Tilbury 1968 moved to Maldon district about 17 years ago could even be similar age mate going by your forum name, still got a lot of friends and family that way.

Thanks again

Den.

 

[Marko067]

I'm not quite that far south. I grew up and now live in Basildon. I'm closing the gap on 56 and feeling the effects of 40 years on the glass as they say, 30 of which were on ladders.

 

[Den]

15 mins away I live in a little village next to south woodham ferrers, have taken all your comments onboard and think I will go for the slx18 for now, hoping to start my round up in the next six weeks when my son is back in the country, he done traditional window cleaning before but never wfp so think I will order next week to get some practise in on my own house before he gets back.

Thanks

Den.

 

[Marko067]

I could be wrong here, someone will correct me I'm sure if I am, but if you find your SLX18 too short on occasion you can purchase the bottom section of an SLX22, pull off the end cap of your 18 and convert it to a 22. Gardiner's will certainly tell you if you give them a call. Very nice folk.

 

[Den]

Nice one Mark think that's a great idea.

Thanks again.

Den.

 

[Den]

I could be wrong here, someone will correct me I'm sure if I am, but if you find your SLX18 too short on occasion you can purchase the bottom section of an SLX22, pull off the end cap of your 18 and convert it to a 22. Gardiner's will certainly tell you if you give them a call. Very nice folk.

What if I buy the 22 remove the bottom section and buy additional end cap for the 18 section will that work or will the 18 section be to uncomfortable/slippery asking as I have no experience with the water fed poles.

Thanks.

Den.

 

[Marko067]

Yes that will work. Gardiner sell the end caps for all the poles. Only thing is the bottom section is insulated in case of contact with an electrical source (Carbon is a good electrical conductor) so if you buy the 22' and remove the bottom section, you are removing one layer of protection. It will work but be aware. Call Gardiners. As I say they are very helpful.

Something I have found really useful is to convert your pole to tubeless as it doesn't matter how long your pole is you haven't got to worry about whether the hose is long enough as long as you have enough on your reel.

 

[Den]

All this is a learning curve for me, I thought you just connected your pole directly to the backpack whether on your back or on a trolley and then your on your way lol also another question what about a flow valve have seen the one on gardiner's website look good to me or is that a no no.

Thanks

Den.

 

[Den]

Thanks about the info also with regards to electrics as where we live most of the houses the electrical supply comes in from above.

Den.

 

[Marko067]

Uni-valve is a terrific bit of kit for instant control, or you can fit a small John Guest tap at the top of the pole just below the brush. You will waste a little water like this but is much cheaper than the univalve.

 

[Andy]

Iv ordered a univalve to day and the blue hose if I like em il get a couple more. Every day poles slx 22 and a clx 10 and I have a 50ft China pole.ultimate medium soft brushes

 

[kevinc250]

the base section has glass fibre on,i beleive the final wrap-its there for your safety incase you hit anything electrical,three cases of that in the last few years one near fatality,i would buy the 18 and an extension to take it to 22,if you took the base section off a 22 you'd not be protected/have constant black hands from the carbon fibres and more than likely wear that section out so much it'd be useless when you added the 22 base section,

if funds allow buy an 18 and a 22,it seems crazy to do this but all these sections are inter-changable so two poles could last you well over thre/four years

when you consider the pole is one of the main tools that do the work that earns us money its not a bad investment at all

 

[Den]

Makes sense Kevin appreciate your input.

Den.