[AuRavelling79]

My SLX30+ from 2007 originally had the metal clamps; then the later ones and now the latest. Daily use as an SLX20 and still going strong.

My SLX22 (2009) has also been upgraded and still going strong.

The latest clamps by-product is less repainting of "stop points" so only once a quarter instead of once a month.

And my Extreme 47 has a new set of clamps waiting for when it needs them.

Actually the new (6 month old) Gardiner brushes on them has sped us up too replacing the older white brushes and the red cill brush.

I keep promising myself a pair of new SLX22's but just don't need them as the upgraded clamps have extended their life yet again.

Nothing out there to touch the Gardiner carbon fibre-stuff especially when you factor in longevity and customer service.

[Dave Mills]

My SLX 25 is my day to day pole and get's used a helluva lot. It's a pole that I bought with the new sprung clamp factory fitted. I initially found the clamp bolts (the bolt head is itself a redesign from before and an improvement as it's "oval" and easier to grip) were very stiff, as was to be expected. Pretty quickly they loosened up.

A month or two in I dis find that the clamps spin when open fully, and still do. I can stop this using the method Alex has suggested, by opening the clamp just enough to allow movement of each section, but by leaving it tight enough so the cam of the lever sits in the "hollow". The thing is that after a couple of extensions and collapses i'm back to square one.

I am getting by, but any upgraded bolt would be welcome.

Personally I prefer the new clamps if they are going save spinning sections, which are a royal pita. For those complaining about continual upgrades - that's how life is. Alex does his best to hit the mark first time, but the "field tests" we all do in our thousands will find any and all weaknesses, which he can then react to. And he does. Quickly. I think we should be glad Alex has taken wfp technology way beyond where it was 5 years ago when I came into the industry. I'm making a lot of money thanks to Gardiner and Pure Freedom.

Google "threadlock" and buy a bottle for under a fiver.  Itll last you ten years and youll never have loosening nuts and bolts again. Each application (minute per pole) will stop the bolt loosening for about three months.

[DG Cleaning]

I love my Gardiner clamps

[robbo333]

Alex, while you're slightly amending the design of the clamps, you couldn't make a new one with an aqua-dapter stuck on it could you?
Pure carbon fibre naturally. 

[kempy]

I don't think that would ever ever happen .
Aqua adaptor are bringing out poles

[SPE]

My SLX 25 is my day to day pole and get's used a helluva lot. It's a pole that I bought with the new sprung clamp factory fitted. I initially found the clamp bolts (the bolt head is itself a redesign from before and an improvement as it's "oval" and easier to grip) were very stiff, as was to be expected. Pretty quickly they loosened up.

A month or two in I dis find that the clamps spin when open fully, and still do. I can stop this using the method Alex has suggested, by opening the clamp just enough to allow movement of each section, but by leaving it tight enough so the cam of the lever sits in the "hollow". The thing is that after a couple of extensions and collapses i'm back to square one.

I am getting by, but any upgraded bolt would be welcome.

Personally I prefer the new clamps if they are going save spinning sections, which are a royal pita. For those complaining about continual upgrades - that's how life is. Alex does his best to hit the mark first time, but the "field tests" we all do in our thousands will find any and all weaknesses, which he can then react to. And he does. Quickly. I think we should be glad Alex has taken wfp technology way beyond where it was 5 years ago when I came into the industry. I'm making a lot of money thanks to Gardiner and Pure Freedom.

Google "threadlock" and buy a bottle for under a fiver.  Itll last you ten years and youll never have loosening nuts and bolts again. Each application (minute per pole) will stop the bolt loosening for about three months.

that's far too simple a solution Dave,
you can't expect your average window cleaner to get his head round that one  simon