[oliver collins]

I Have a normal k valve but its killing my hand keeping the trigger on when cleaning at full preasure

Any ideas where i can get a soft touch one to fit my wand

Tried a westpac from hydra master does not fit my wand

Any help would be cool

Oliver Collins

[Craigp]

What wand do you have?

[Mike_Roper]

The westpac ones claim to be soft touch but I dont like them ,the 2 I've had stick or the spring bust with very little use. Changed them with normal k valves so you should be able to swap either way. What wandare you useing and what pressure?
Mike

[derek west]

http://www.sapphirescientific.com/Content_003.aspx?cid=1196&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

[John Milnes]

World Of Clean used to do a soft touch kit to replace an old ''K'' valve which would probably mean grinding or cutting off the welding that secures the (your) existing valve.

Much better than the old ''K'' valve in my opinion. It is easy to squash the trigger in and therefore prematurely damage the spring. just squeezing the trigger till getting the flow and each one should last a couple of years without causing aching fingers.

I'd hate to go back to the old ''K'' valve

[oliver collins]

Hi

I have a wand from ashbys i think it styled on a old prochem one,

I clean at about 200psi to about 300psi

May be i am gripping the wand too hard,i have servere pain in one of my fingers its the tendon hurts like hell after using the wand

Was thinking of changing my wand but dont want to spend £300 plus and still have the same problem

Thanks for your input

Oliver Collins

[Mike_Roper]

Sounds like some sort of repetative strain injury . The problem is giving it chance to rpair but still working. I know its awkward but could you wand using your other side? to give it a break.
Mike

[Craigp]

You could try this one, unlike the Brass soft touch valve this one if you look on the left side the hole for the screw is wider for universal fitting, but still it won't fit all wands.

I know it fits the prochem quad wand.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carpet-Cleaning-Stainless-Steel-Angle-Wand-Valve-/120489917461?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c0dc23c15#ht_1150wt_527

[oliver collins]

Hi Mike

Thats an idea,might go back to using my scrubber for a lot of the stuff seems to take longer though.

I have got a whole house clean today and dreading it might take the wife with me to help out

Think i might try gripping the wand gently

Oliver Collins

[Jim_77]

I don't think a soft touch valve will stop your RSI because you're still doing the same motion repetitively, but it might make it a bit more liveable with.  I suffer badly from it in my right hand, wrist (jokes please) and shoulder.  Have one wand with soft touch and one without, doesn't make much difference but the soft touch is maybe a little better over a long day.

Simple answer - if you can't get a soft touch valve for your wand, change to one that has!! The westpac wands have them.  I know Mike says he's had trouble with his but mine has been perfect for 2 years hard use (kiss of death on myself there now!)  As long as you carry a repair kit with you for peace of mind, no problem.  If something keeps failing regularly, you'd have to look at the working conditions of the wand to find what's causing it because that isn't normal.

If regular valve component failures are happening they can't all be dodgy parts, it's either excessive heat (doubt that , mine has 230F through it regularly), frost damage or chemical degradation

[Mike_Roper]

Oliver I have a 2jet Westpac wand with hybrid greenglide fitted , both hardly used, surplus to requiremets. Give t a try if you want and if you lke it make me an offer.
Mike

[oliver collins]

Hi Mike

That sounds like an plan will ring you later

Oliver