[Paul Coleman]

Well I've just done my first day with my new SL-X as I got my small sized "Y" pieces through the post (cheers Kirsty).
I've used a few different poles since 2005 and I reckon this is the best one yet.  Can't compare it with a Facelift though as I've not used one of them.
I didn't intend to use it on ground floor because it's over 5ft closed but thought I would give it a go as others have said it's OK.  There were a few tight spots around conservatories to do today and I expected to have to revert to my little 2 x 2ft pole but not necessary.
This is going to sound funny but the only bit I had a problem with was feeding the pole hose through from the base end to connect it up to the "Y" piece.  I didn't want to remove the O ring and hozelock type connector from the pole hose which would have allowed me to feed it from the brush end.  It goes through reasonably OK until it gets to the metal thread connector then the fun starts.  I think there must be a lip inside that bit preventing easy throughput.  After a bit of experimenting, I found that by taping a biro on the end of the hose (with the point facing away from the hose), allowing the hose to hang free with some slack and then jiggling things around did actually work.  Initially I did try inserting the point end into the pole hose but couldn't feed it like that.  You wouldn't believe the hassle I had trying to manage such a simple thing LOL. Would have made a great video for youtube   
I suppose someone is now going to post something really obvious and make me look like dunce of the year.

[trevor perry]

i find if you cut the hose into a point using scissors it goes through really easy but dont worry i was a dunce too it took me six months to figure that one out

[Alex Gardiner]

Obviously when we assemble them we do it the other way around, but we do have to push the hose up the wrong way quite often.

It is a very tricky thing to do and only becomes easy when you know how.

The easiest way is to get an assistant to push the hose up from the base, look down the top and you will see the end of the hose about 5cm down (caught on the lip) use a small screwdriver and you can simply prise the hose into the centre so your assistant can push it through. Done like this takes about 30 secs.

Perhaps I should do a video of it!

[NWH]

When you feed the pole hose up through the base of any pole the key is to twist the hose over the sections as your gently pushing,once you`ve done this once you`ll do it in the future without even thinking about it.

[ftp]

I just insert a metal screwdriver (minus the handle - the sort that is reversable) in the end of the pole hose and drop that down the pole. I find it plops out the other end every time. 

[darragh windows]

guys the easiest way would be to push nylon string like strimmer wire or heavey fishing line down from brush end  then use insulating tape to attach it to hose and then pull through

[steve a]

 I just feed it through and when it reaches the end stick a knitting needle up it and guide it out.
#
# Steve a

[Paul Coleman]

Obviously when we assemble them we do it the other way around, but we do have to push the hose up the wrong way quite often.

It is a very tricky thing to do and only becomes easy when you know how.

The easiest way is to get an assistant to push the hose up from the base, look down the top and you will see the end of the hose about 5cm down (caught on the lip) use a small screwdriver and you can simply prise the hose into the centre so your assistant can push it through. Done like this takes about 30 secs.

Perhaps I should do a video of it!

I do recall thinking that if there was someone else about it would be a lot easier.  Like most W/Cs though, I work on my own.  It was quite fun figuring the best way to do it.     .  The handleless screwdriver sounds like a better way of doing it.  Trouble was that I could only use the items that I had with me at the time - hence the biro.

[Jack Avery]

I dropped a length of string with a small weight through the apeture in the gooseneck. Then stuck the end of the hose to the end of the piece of string with some tape, fed the hose through the pole until it reached the apeture then pulled it through . I was a "boy scout once".

The SLX is a brilliant pole I just have a small problem with the hose it seems to spend most of its time knotted up!

[trevor perry]

this is the kind of post i like, we have obviously all had this problem and came upo with our own solutions i have just tried a few and the screwdriver with no handle seems to of worked best for me thanks ftp

[Paul Coleman]

this is the kind of post i like, we have obviously all had this problem and came upo with our own solutions i have just tried a few and the screwdriver with no handle seems to of worked best for me thanks ftp

I'm starting to think that your signature sums up my post quite well Trevor     .
Reading back through the posts I suppose "darragh" and Jack have the right idea and a similar thing had occurred to me.  The trouble was that I needed to work with what I had with me.  Looks like I will be carrying a piece of string and a lump of plasticine with me in future.
As an aside, that's what I use for a plumbline on the corners when wallpapering (totally off topic of course - please have mercy Mr mod).