[dazmond]

all gardiner poles have removable sections.the problem is the tape on the bottom of each section.what ive done is remove the tape and just keep the marker tape so i dont over extend the sections.

then its easier to break the pole down for flushing out grit,dirt and sand etc.

i dont do what malc gold does as using a 30ft pole with a few sections taken off means i have no insulated base section and its more faffing around.

2 poles(a main pole and a high level pole)works best for me.

25 ft extreme is what i would invest in mate if your having injury issues.this pole is a pleasure to use and allows you to clean most work with minimum strain.

also are you using a backpack for all your work?as lifting barrels and backpacks all day wont be helping mate.


regards

[Alex Gardiner]

Part of the problem could be holding something heavy repeatedly that's always the same diameter and a bayersan pole, although indestructible, is soooo heavy.

One reason I don't use my Gardiners pole all the time is the sections don't come apart and sometimes towards late afternoon, I'd start getting cramp in one hand.

Since I bought a grafter and a glyder pole, both of which come apart, and I use each for different jobs and only use the number of sections needed, and just use the Gardiners pole for higher work, I havn't had a problem.

Errr, my gardiner slx's have removable sections - I used your trick from day 1 Ross - bought an SLX 30 but used (still use) it as a 20 and only added bigger sections for longer work.

All of our telescopic poles now come with a woven in contrast band at the base of each section for those that want to remove the joint stop tape and use in this way.

[elite mike]

Well I went back to my diy pole and made a conscious effort to use my sore fingers as little as possible. They are still sore but nowhere near as bad.

I had an idea so if anyone has a similar problem feel free to try this. I bought some nylon webbing from b&q, fastened it round the pole and secured it with washers and rivets to make a handle that freely slides up and down the bottom section of the pole. Now I can keep my fingers straight and remain in control of the pole. Ill be testing it out tomorrow so ill let you know how it goes. Thanks for the advice though. 

sounds like a really good idea taylor 
let us know and put some pics up please .

[gary999]

all gardiner poles have removable sections.the problem is the tape on the bottom of each section.what ive done is remove the tape and just keep the marker tape so i dont over extend the sections.

then its easier to break the pole down for flushing out grit,dirt and sand etc.

i dont do what malc gold does as using a 30ft pole with a few sections taken off means i have no insulated base section and its more faffing around.

2 poles(a main pole and a high level pole)works best for me.

25 ft extreme is what i would invest in mate if your having injury issues.this pole is a pleasure to use and allows you to clean most work with minimum strain.

also are you using a backpack for all your work?as lifting barrels and backpacks all day wont be helping mate.


regards
[/quote

Weight isnt the issue with this type of injury dopey,sounds like a gripping
problem with the diameter of the pole being too much

Put your bloody extreme head away dazmondo

[Richard S]

unger 35ft does it for me the width of the bottom of the pole is a huge factor not only the weight.
I can't use a pen for too long either so  getting the correct girth is all important.
What height work do you need to cover and use it only when needed at largest girth. Gardiner newest clx's do the trick to reach 30 with the 27ft pole and you cal drop a section or 2 for lower end work.
Lighter and thinner.
Cold weather can also cause the issues and straining.

[rosskesava]

Gardiner poles - all is needed is to remove the tape so as it comes apart. I didn't know that.

Thanks Dazmond, Alex, et al.

[Chris - CBWC]

I spent around 3 years using a diy pole and loved it. A few months ago I decided to buy a proper one for a look of a professional.  The pole is not an expensive one (bayersan) but it does the job.
I noticed that my fingers are hurting more and more and they lock up in a morning.  I thought this was because of a backpack I had bought (lifting it ect). But after taking time away from it my fingers are still hurting after a couple of days use of the pole.
The symptoms suggest an injury called trigger finger. Which is in the carpel tunnel family of problems.
I was thinking the alternative is a more expensive carbon fibre or hybrid pole. The reduced weight should be an added bonus.

Has anyone had these kinds of problems? Does anyone think a high end pole may help. I dont wanna spend hundreds to find out I have the same problem. 

Thanks.

How are you getting on with this? Mine started last month, ring finger left hand (I'm left handed) was stiff and slightly locking, this has gotten slightly better but my little finger is much worse this morning, nearly totally locked and I only have an SLX18.  Wondering if, like Vin, I'm using my little finger far too much and need to adjust my grip and hold it less tightly?

[CasaDeCabra]

Go to the doctor. If you do have trigger finger it can potentially be fixed with an injection. Suffered with it on ring finger on both hands which came on over a period of time after starting a year ago.

Once diagnosed doctor advised Ibuprofen gel to see if massaging that into the spot would help (it didn't) so then he did the injection which took 2-3 weeks to completely fix the issue. Don't suffer from it at all now.

[PoleKing]

^
I don't get these 2 last posts. They're not real 'injury's' surely?
Twitchy finger from poling?
(Apologies if they are) am I just missing the joke?

[Tom White]

I used a Harris for a few years and ended up with rotor cuff problems in both shoulders, which was extremely painful.  At one point I couldn't wash under my armpits my movement was so restricted and if I forgot and tried to reach up the pain could drop me to my knees.

Since using a Gardiner's SLX I've not had any problems at all.

[Chris - CBWC]

^
I don't get these 2 last posts. They're not real 'injury's' surely?
Twitchy finger from poling?
(Apologies if they are) am I just missing the joke?

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trigger-finger/Pages/Introduction.aspx

No, no joke at all, I'll have to give up if it keeps up.  Makes me think I'm doing something completely wrong if others don't have this problem though.

[PoleKing]

^
I don't get these 2 last posts. They're not real 'injury's' surely?
Twitchy finger from poling?
(Apologies if they are) am I just missing the joke?

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trigger-finger/Pages/Introduction.aspx

No, no joke at all, I'll have to give up if it keeps up.  Makes me think I'm doing something completely wrong if others don't have this problem though.

I just don't get it.
In ONE finger?
All of them, fair enough.
Your wrist, forearm, shoulder but 1 finger? I don't see how.
(Not saying you're lying, just don't understand)
Have you thought about seeing a sports massage person? Perhaps a tennis specialist?

[Chris - CBWC]

If something's not right, I do something about it, I don't just ignore it, suck it up and carry on.  Got a doc appointment on Monday, booked a couple of weeks ago once I noticed it was getting worse.

I guess I'm not holding the pole correctly/holding it too tightly/pushing way too hard on the glass but I didn't think there was a right or wrong way to hold the pole.

[8weekly]

I spent around 3 years using a diy pole and loved it. A few months ago I decided to buy a proper one for a look of a professional.  The pole is not an expensive one (bayersan) but it does the job.
I noticed that my fingers are hurting more and more and they lock up in a morning.  I thought this was because of a backpack I had bought (lifting it ect). But after taking time away from it my fingers are still hurting after a couple of days use of the pole.
The symptoms suggest an injury called trigger finger. Which is in the carpel tunnel family of problems.
I was thinking the alternative is a more expensive carbon fibre or hybrid pole. The reduced weight should be an added bonus.

Has anyone had these kinds of problems? Does anyone think a high end pole may help. I dont wanna spend hundreds to find out I have the same problem. 

Thanks.

Trigger finger.  I suffered this before I became a window cleaner (family thing).  It's been worsening since cleaning but very recently I found the cause and a solution.  You may not be aware of it but whichever finger you're suffering with will be the one you're actually using to hold the pole.  My moment of clarity came on one of the days my finger was actually hurting, when I realised that I grip chiefly with my middle finger.  The solution is to make a mental effort to hold the pole with the other three fingers of that hand.  Initially, just those three, then bring the inured finger back into use but in balance with the others.

Vin

Although not diagnosed by a doctor, a few weeks ago I noticed one of my fingers locking in the mornings. Googling suggested it was trigger finger.

[Chris - CBWC]

Ah not you too!  Since a few weeks ago, has it gotten much worse?  Which finger and have you been able to find out what the cause was and how to stop it locking?

I am in touch with a sports physio and can let you guys know what happens at the docs on Monday.

[8weekly]

Ah not you too!  Since a few weeks ago, has it gotten much worse?  Which finger and have you been able to find out what the cause was and how to stop it locking?

I am in touch with a sports physio and can let you guys know what happens at the docs on Monday.

Ring finger of right hand. It coincides with an increase in hours worked over recent weeks. It isn't painful, just a little strange to have a finger locking in the mornings.

[CasaDeCabra]

I've posted what happens at the doctors already but you will get one of the following. Ibuprofen gel to rub into the palm of the hand at the base of the affected finger (didn't work for me), a steroid injection (which after about two weeks completely resolved my problem in both hands) or if nothing else works an operation which equals six weeks off work.

[8weekly]

Ah not you too!  Since a few weeks ago, has it gotten much worse?  Which finger and have you been able to find out what the cause was and how to stop it locking?

I am in touch with a sports physio and can let you guys know what happens at the docs on Monday.

Ring finger of right hand. It coincides with an increase in hours worked over recent weeks. It isn't painful, just a little strange to have a finger locking in the mornings.

Thinking on, the trigger finger coincided with the warmer weather and no longer wearing very thick gloves.

[SeanK]

Its because your hands are in the same grip position over most of the day every day.
You need to take a bit of time over the day and do some hand stretching exercises especially
before starting and at the end of the working day.
Even trad the odd ground floor just to get your joints working and moving slightly different.
Yes getting a light pole is always a good advice but its only part of the solution.
I actually had to cut my window cleaning down to three days a week because I was getting horrendous
pain in my neck from looking up day in and out.
Even standing back as far from the property as possible didn't help It got to the stage last year when I
honestly thought I was going to quit.
I added on washing drives and grass cutting to make up the lost income.
Doing this has helped my neck pain a lot and its still improving which is a good thing.
Would rather be cleaning windows full time but needs must.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

There is a reason why there are so many Gardiner Pole fans/stalkers on this forum.  Simply put they are the best poles that you can buy and good value for money.  The SLX are good the xtreme even better.I can't believe the poles that I used to work with in the past, glass fibre heavy and chunky and my elbows, shoulders and wrists really ached.

If a DIY pole worked for you go back to it, but if your gonna spend money consider at least an SLX.  From experience, the better the tool the faster you can work and the less injury's you will have.

Simon.