[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

With all the `hype` (and it is for the best I agree) about the pure water
Side of the industry,I have been thinking for quite awhile now,about
Possibly who knows but a forum named `Tool Tips` or `Necessesity
The Mother of Invention.`It would be for the traditional side of window
Cleaning where members have made something,or altered a conventional
Tool that works in their view for the better.Usually it`s where the manufacturers
Are reluctant to go to market,for whatever reasons are best known to them.
From Rod Woodward(who is sadly no longer with us) and his swivel squeegee
Handle in the late nineteen seventies.Gary Mauer`s `Scooter` and Peter Fogwills
`SqueegeeMates` ( Two in Ones) to name but three examples.Right thru` to one
Of the latest on a standard conventional squeegee channel,and to of course `dog-ear`
The ends etc. etc. etc.I`ve got various things and `efforts` I could put forward,
And also ask if anyone has got any ideas on how to have your bucket raised off
The ground so that your not bending down who knows how many times a day.
Something perhaps not quite as elaborate as Sorbo`s `Quadropod`.I would think
This subject is and would be endless in its entirity.Do I have any takers?Hope
I hav`nt waisted my time writing in with this e,mail and look forward to some
Positive comments and replies.


Lewis  Doubtfire.

[jeff evans]

Hi Lewis.

I never take my bucket out of the car, i have a bucket on a belt and fill a half ltr bottle up out of the bucket and take it with me.

So 1. i dont have to bend down to the bucket. And 2. i dont have to carry the bucket with me. i can work every run i do without returning to the car. And thats all trad work.

Cheers Jeff.

[Sir Squeaky]

I never take my bucket out of the car, i have a bucket on a belt and fill a half ltr bottle up out of the bucket and take it with me.
Cheers Jeff.

Don't you just hate the old "wet-leg" though?
I prefer to carry a bit less and keep dunking.

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Re Bucket on a Belt:

I carry a 1ltr old drinks bottle full of water in another pouch and just top up the B on a B as needed.

Re Dg Earing.

Thanks Lewis you posted that idea 2 years ago and along with a Squeegeemate I am now 30% faster Trad.

David

[windolene]

Hi Lewis,

Could you explain the late Rod Woodwards swivel squeegee?  I used to have an ettore swivel squeegee handel, it was the dogs bits! but have not seen one for 10 years now, shame. I would buy another if I could.

Gary Mauers scooter?

Kevin WINDOLENE.

[MNWC]

Hi All

How about this one or maybe everyones got one already-

To stop your ladder slipping i use an anti slip matt
made from a rectangle of 10 mm ply larger than the width of your ladder.
On the underside of the ply stick a peace of anti slip rubber matting also carpet underlay is good (the rubber stuff)
On the top side where your ladder sits screw a peice of 2 by 2 
Then your ladder will sit on the ply wich is on the ground but cant slip back because of the screwed 2 by 2 

does that make sense 

Marcus

[windows_chepstow]

I carry a 1ltr old drinks bottle full of water in another pouch and just top up the B on a B as needed.
David

I've done this also, and when that runs out, re-fill the bottle from a customer's outside tap.  The soap left on the applicator still works.

[Morph]

Hi All

How about this one or maybe everyones got one already-

To stop your ladder slipping i use an anti slip matt
made from a rectangle of 10 mm ply larger than the width of your ladder.
On the underside of the ply stick a peace of anti slip rubber matting also carpet underlay is good (the rubber stuff)
On the top side where your ladder sits screw a peice of 2 by 2 
Then your ladder will sit on the ply wich is on the ground but cant slip back because of the screwed 2 by 2 

does that make sense 

Marcus

Rojak Anti-slip ladder mat.  www.soapnational

About £35

[MNWC]

Hi All

How about this one or maybe everyones got one already-

To stop your ladder slipping i use an anti slip matt
made from a rectangle of 10 mm ply larger than the width of your ladder.
On the underside of the ply stick a peace of anti slip rubber matting also carpet underlay is good (the rubber stuff)
On the top side where your ladder sits screw a peice of 2 by 2 
Then your ladder will sit on the ply wich is on the ground but cant slip back because of the screwed 2 by 2 

does that make sense 

Marcus

Rojak Anti-slip ladder mat.  www.soapnational

About £35

MY ANTI SLIPMAT ABOUT A £10.

[jeff evans]

Hi squeaky.

The only time i get "wet leg" is when i cant find anywhere to pee.  ( i just top up the b on a b when needed )

But while were on the subject of b on a b, i used to be able to buy a waterproof canvas one that just slid on my belt like a pocket, these used to be brill, as they did not keep banging on your leg, the only draw back to them was u couldent just unclip them when u got back in the car.

I cant get hold of them anymore, it was an old guy used to make them for my local window cleaning supplier, i think he sadly passed on.

Has anyone else seen these anywhere ?

Cheers Jeff.

[Richy L]

I carry a small coke bottle and fill it with soap, then when i run out of water, i just get water from the outside tap of a customer and add a litttle soap

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Marcus,

That,s exactly what I did..........Works a treat.
Mind you I only used it on the triple 3.4m but I don't go that high anymore.............
Sold the triple on EBay!!!!!!!!
Didn't offer it to you guys..........thought only Squeeky would use it!!!!!!

David

[MNWC]

Dave,
You probably saw mine as your only down the road im in long sutton lincs 

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

Sorry fella`s,but I just thought I might have received a little bit more
Positive `feed back`.I`m disappointed with some of the replies.You all
Could say,you want a forum like this Lewis,well why don`t you yourself
Go ahead and start one up?? I would,but I`m not too computer literate,also
I feel there are better individuals at this sort of thing.At least I asked and tried.

[dai]

Lewis, That's why Matt's site is so good. Posts by innovators, for innovators.
Dai

[chris@c.m.s]

Didnt read the original post properly just browsed at it, but now Matt has put your suggestion into practice it looking like a good idea.

[Paul Coleman]

Hi Lewis,

Could you explain the late Rod Woodwards swivel squeegee?  I used to have an ettore swivel squeegee handel, it was the dogs bits! but have not seen one for 10 years now, shame. I would buy another if I could.

Gary Mauers scooter?

Kevin WINDOLENE.

You don't appear to have had a reply to this so I will try to.
I have four swivel squeegees.  This consists of two types.  I found them such an invaluable tool that I had two spares.
I can't find a picture of one on the internet and mine are in the garage beneath a pile of junk.  (I don't use them at the moment due to WFP, but I want to keep them in case a water shortage causes a ban).
I don't know if any other manufaturer makes them but the Unger ones went under the name of "swiv loc".  Basically, the channel can be swivelled and, if required, locked in any one of 5 positions.  It's not a tool that I used a lot but was priceless on the jobs where it was needed.  I only needed it on the end of an extension pole when I couldn't stand directly beneath a window and had to work at an angle.  The two types I mentioned were the sueegee where the hannel is angled as per a normal squeegee.  Also, there is one where the channel is not angled at all.  This is great for when you are working at a similar height to a window but can't reach it (e.g.  leaning a ladder against a conservatory and cleaning the window beyond the conservatory roof.)
Assuming Unger still make them, any janitorial supply shop that deals with Unger should be able to get them for you.  They may have to order them in because they are not requested very often.
A word of warning.  For some reason, you could only fit brass channels (rather than stainless steel) into the handles so you will need end clips too.
Although not used very often, I have found this tool to be priceless when needed.
Also, if you need such a tool for certain jobs, you can also get a swiv loc applicator too.  After all, if you cant get the squeegee into the corner of the glass due to the angle, the same will often (though not always) apply to the applicator as well.  I ended up using swiv loc as my applicator of choice because I found it reduced wrist ache.  This was because the bending occurred from the applicator neck rather than from my wrist (no rude jokes please)   

[dai]

The Wagtail combi swivels, applicator and blade at the same time. Saves the old wrist from too much wear and tear. Can be used on a pole too. Dai

[chris@c.m.s]

Dai is there a uk supplier of the wagtail and what about new rubber?