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Author Topic: Tell me please: How to use telescopic poles  (Read 2626 times)
squeegeeboy luke
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« on: September 22, 2006, 11:42:15 PM »

 Sad
I am a bit unsure how you guys are using a telescopic pole... and don't say something silly like pick it up and put it against the window
Tongue

I am not talking about waterfed poles, but simply carbon-fibre poles you extend, stick a applicator/squeegee on and wipe with.

The question is - what's the method you use?

A video demonstration would be nice but being more realistic, can you describe it to me.  
Shocked

How to you clean the edges and wipe streaks up? How do you get it into the corners? Does the angled piece help you?
« Last Edit: March 04, 2007, 12:39:46 AM by lukejones » Logged
karlosdaze
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« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2006, 01:22:48 PM »

Practise, practise, practise.

1.Scrub the window.
2.Squeegee (top to bottom)the window making sure the trail of water goes into the next part to be washed (that means get the squeegee at an angle).
3. Put your doubled scrim over your squeegee (use an elastic band to stop draping) and rub away smears.

This explanation is basic, practise this & then all the angle joints etc, will come later when you say to yourself "if only I had a tool that did this".
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squeegeeboy luke
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« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2006, 06:13:55 PM »

thanks karl Cheesy
i have had a go at it a few times but when cleaning a second level of windows, i can never get the bottom of the glass wiped nicely as i can't get the pole in there.
just realised, that's what the ledger squeegees must be about. put the scrim on and it will reach the bottom of the window.
how high would you go with poles?
luke Smiley
« Last Edit: March 04, 2007, 12:41:07 AM by lukejones » Logged
karlosdaze
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« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2006, 08:43:20 PM »

I don't go much above 30 foot, as I loose quality.
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squeegeeboy luke
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« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2006, 12:15:07 PM »

ok, that's like 3 floors I think... we don't use ft in the UK so I am unsure how big they are Smiley
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karlosdaze
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« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2006, 06:31:38 PM »

Yes you do. Only America, UK & the commonwealth use the Imperial system.

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Just over 9 metres.
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« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2006, 06:19:54 PM »

there a little bit awkward.always start at to left when squidgying off slide across top rim till u meet the right side edge.pull the water down.
foolow the system continuously.dont try and do the same as u would if the squidgy was in ure hand.doesnt work
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wagga
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« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2007, 07:35:22 PM »

Luke,
 Have you tried the Wagtail Flipper? (like the div I am I've been calling it the Wagaflip!) anyway, Iv'e sung the praises of this piece of kit before. Since I got this, it has revolutionised my pole-work. It's extremely light, changes from applicator to blade in an instant without taking the pole down to do it so the angle you set stays the same for that window so saving a lot of time.
With practice, you can even do the "S" stroke with good effect and even do letterbox type windows very effectively. You will only appreciate what I'm talking about until you see one in action or get one yourself.
Go onto the Wagtail site. They have a demo of one but its poor image quality. I do a little detailing of the window after, by using an old Wagtail handle. (If you take one to bits the end is sort of pointed) I Wrap an unger microfibre cloth around it and set it with elastic bands so its always ready for use. Just whack it onto end of pole and away you go! It's always ready in your pouch but of course you have to re-wrap it as it begins to get wet. There is a small but easy modifiation to make to this tool (the Wagtail Flipper I mean) and if anyone is interested I will explain when everyones eyes have englazed!
Chris

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Donny
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« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2007, 09:29:31 AM »

Does anyone know who sells these Wagtail products??
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« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2007, 07:21:08 PM »

Hi Donny,
Iv'e gone from using the pole about 5% of the time to about 75% of the time and with good results.
As you might well be aware, Iv'e been harping on about Wagtail Flipper for a while but I personally find it absolutly indispensible and could not now manage without it. You can order them from:
          You are not allowed to view links. Register or Loginwagtail.com.au
Be warned, this is Australia and postage is a bit steep but my Wagtails are worth thier weight in gold!
  If you do get one it will be a steep learning curve but should be worth it in the end. It' a lot to do with the correct angles and the Flipper helps a lot in this regard.
They have actually changed the design a little and I think there are improvements and also downsides. Iv'e personally modified some of my old ones and I only wish I could show you it in action. Many people are amazed.
Anyway, all the best and persevere! If you need an explanation of the modification just ask.
Chris

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Peter Fogwill
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« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2007, 09:33:38 PM »

Quote
Does anyone know who sells these Wagtail products??


Omni used to sell them, don't know if they still do.

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Donny
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« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2007, 11:52:20 PM »

I don't think Omni sell them anymore :-/   But i have done my hunting around and i've found a supplier in the Netherlands, which is alot nearer than Australia! the postage will cost £8 rather than £35 or so Smiley   So i think the Flipper may be purchased... I've worked it out it will cost £26.75 all together for a 14inch wagaflip and postage... Does this sound good? I'm sure it's worth it.

Chris, is there anyway of you making some vids?, that'd be great to see Wink  

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squeegeeboy luke
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« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2007, 12:18:35 AM »

Are you guys a bit dozy?
:-/

All you guys have to do is open Google or any search engine, and type into it 'Wagtail Flipper', find their website, open it, and then there is a list of stockists, including the Netherlands wholesaler, and also a few videos of it!!
Shocked

Moreover, Donny, if you click on the link below and choose Suppliers from the topbar, there is a video on the page and also a link to a very interesting longer video that shows how a similar system call the Mr. LongArm ProCurve works.
Wink
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The difference between the two is that the ProCurve doesn't have a mop on the squeegee. Is the mop and squeegee combo a great idea? - dunno, matter of opinion. Some say it splashes and puts water where you don't want it, some say it is the greatest invention in the industry since Mr. Ettore redesigned the squeegee.  
:-/

Luke Jones FIEC
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(leading the industry)
Cheesy
« Last Edit: March 04, 2007, 12:23:21 AM by lukejones » Logged
Donny
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« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2007, 12:35:12 AM »

Yeah i've already watched the videos on the USA website and the Aussie site too...

I think it's best to have a mop and squeegee on the same thing to save having to change over. On hot sunny days the window dries all streaky by the time you've changed the washer over to a squeegee... But i'd like something like the Ettore Backflip with the swivel motion of the Wagaflip and Procurve...
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squeegeeboy luke
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« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2007, 12:49:58 AM »

Wagtail seems to be way ahead of the rest of the manufacturers for innovation.

Yes Donny, I agree with you on that! I would like to compare the Wagtail Flipper to the Ettore BackFlip and Unger VisaVersa.

It can't be too hard to modify a BackFlip to make it swivel, but maybe I am being unreasonable there because I did go to an engineering college, then decided to become a window cleaner
Grin

Two ideas Donny:

1. Modify a BackFlip to swivel. Examining the Wagtail Flipper, find out why is swivels and rotates. A bit of drilling and a bolt may allow it too spin, but unless this is done nicely, it may be a bit crude.

2. Take a Wagtail Flipper, and modify it to hold a mop. Simply fixing a standard mop to it would be too heavy and affect it's motion. You would need to cut the handle off the mop and then glue it into position, as it appears on a BackFlip. Just remember that channel sizes are 2 inches longer than scrubbers (e.g. 18" BackFlips require 20" rubbers).

Wink
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Donny
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« Reply #15 on: March 04, 2007, 12:53:48 AM »

Yeah... There's some thinking to be done on this....

One thing i don't understand about the Wagtail Flipper is this...



The squeegee appears to be on top of the mop... Am i being dumb but how do you use the squeegee?!

I was just looking at this

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And it has a swivel hinged handle so i reckon this will have a similar motion too... I was going to buy this anyway and well as the Pulex angled pole adaptor... but didn't realise it has the swivel handle....  I'm assuming the swivel handle is free-swiveling , not one that locks into different places...
« Last Edit: March 04, 2007, 01:04:59 AM by Donny » Logged

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squeegeeboy luke
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« Reply #16 on: March 04, 2007, 02:37:53 AM »

i think you need to buy Wagtail's curved pole bit

not sure - perhaps basically the mop gets wet and the tophalf flops down, folding the mop in half, and this means the squeegee is uncovered.
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wagga
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« Reply #17 on: March 04, 2007, 05:02:11 PM »

Donny,
Wish I could make a video of me using Wagtail Flipper but I'm useless at things like that. Glad somone's on the ball and suggests a more local supplier than Australia. Mind you, I did try and do that but had no success.
Anyway, with reference to the Backflip itself, after using it for some time now, I can see the benefits and simplcity of the device. No it does not splash water all over the place either and one of the reasons for this is that I have glued a strip of velcro ON TOP of the blade instead of how its delivered. This way the mop flips over from above instead of below. Using this system on a pole I  believe, is far superior than anything else currently on the market. For one, like somone else said, you don't have to bring the pole down to change tools or more importantly the ANGLE you so often have to set
to get to awkward windows and at times, where appropriate you can even do the "S" Stroke on wide windows. Narrow ones just the normal straight pull down.
Now, cleaning downstairs windows I use the flipper but as standard with mop in original position and use it all the time even using it with a boab(doesn't fit too well but looking at easy mod) This system saves a lot of time
and I don't use a bucket any more but an old fairy bottle with GG4 in it. One tool ,less chance of dropping it, instant changover from mop to blade.
Having said all that, Wagtail have decided to redesign everything and I'm still evaluating the new tools. Same principles involved but they've dropped the velcro in favour of a clipped-on system which I don't like as much
but I still believe can be modded if you wish.
Chris
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Donny
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« Reply #18 on: March 04, 2007, 05:09:29 PM »

hmm...  I'm swayed towards to Pulex Duplex now though :-/  Not too sure...  For the same money as getting the Wagaflip (inc postage) I can buy the Duplex and a much needed Angled pole adaptor...    I'm dead skint ya see and i can only afford one or the other...  

Thanks for the help though, i just need to make my mind up now...
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wagga
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« Reply #19 on: March 04, 2007, 05:46:25 PM »

PS Donny,
You do need an ANGLE ADAPTER I use the UNGER POLE SYSTEM WITH ADAPTER. You will need this to get the angles, although the swivel part will help a lot here.
The swivel is not fixed and once you get used to it you will be amazed at how it can help. I used to have tennis elbow but not since Iv'e been using these tools.
If you do order one, the principles of how it works become obvious but to get the best out of it you must persevere with it to get used to it, learning curve etc
I "dog ear" my tools, just a little and this improves things too. It's a tip I picked up from this forum.
Chris

Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy
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Donny
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« Reply #20 on: March 04, 2007, 05:54:44 PM »

Cheers Cheesy    
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wagga
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« Reply #21 on: March 04, 2007, 06:11:52 PM »

Donny,
Just read your post, and Iv'e had a look at the Pulex Duplex and can see that theyv'e incorporated the swivel action that Wagtail use but the real innovation by Wagtail is the Flipping action it has. Iv'e used the Unger Visa Versa and others and it's the same principle.
Unfortunately, swivel or not, you will need to bring the pole down each time to set the correct angle even on deep sills. With the Wagtail I rarely have to do this.
In fact I virtually stopped using the pole because it took too long but now I use it for most of my round and have hardly had ANY problems. It's all about the angles you will find, but experience will tell you this. Sorry to harp on about it, so much but only trying to help anyone willing to get the job done quicker, easier more effectively and earn more.
Chris


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Donny
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« Reply #22 on: March 04, 2007, 06:14:35 PM »

I don't get what you mean about having to bring the pole down to change the angle on a Pulex but not on a Wagtail?  
What's the flipping action, i'm not quite sure lol ?

:-/ Shocked Roll Eyes
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wagga
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« Reply #23 on: March 05, 2007, 07:35:54 PM »

Hi Donny,
The flipping action on a Wagtail is easy, both on a pole or in your hand. They say that the simplest idea's are always the best and that goes for the Wagtail. It's a stroke of genius realy.
When in use, the applicator pad just swings out of the way with a little flick of your wrist or when it's on the pole you just give your pole a deft little flick and the pad will swing out of the way and vice versa. I find it just awsome and can't overemphasise enough how good it is. A good example as to when the Wagtail comes into it's own is when you don't have the space to move backwards very far from a window, fence in way etc etc
so you have to angle the crank on your pole to almost a right angle. Now users of any other system will know what I'm talking about immediatly. Take the Visa Versa for instace. With the crank at almost  right angles, you first have to wash the window and then bring the pole down to turn the whole lot around. You can't just turn the pole as the angle then is comletely wrong.
With the Wagtail you can use the same crank angle to wash as you can to blade! There are many other similar situations which arise and the Wagtail saves an astonishing amount of time.
However, I have improved my Wagtail from the one in the picture you have posted. (was it you?) anyway, take a close look at the pic of the Wagtail. It's as standard and the pad just falls away revealing the blade
and a quick flick will bring it back to wash mode again. You could even be a one armed window cleaner lol!
Anyway my mod for the pole is to simply glue a strip of velcro to the UPPER side of the aluminuum blade and attach the strip washer to this side instead. It's a lot easier to use (only for pole) now my speed with pole is awsome and accurate!
Hope this helps but I wish I could make a video but havn't even got a camcorder. It's on a very very long list!
Chris
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squeegeeboy luke
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« Reply #24 on: March 05, 2007, 09:55:10 PM »

as a qualified Electromechanical & Design Spacecraft Engineering Technician - yes, I window clean these days instead - I would have to agree with you - many innovations are simple principles applied well. However, the application can require intelligence.

smart modification

(also dog-ear the flipper! this does make things much quicker)
« Last Edit: March 05, 2007, 09:55:59 PM by lukejones » Logged
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