[Bob McKillop]

In a recent post Terry Burrows mentioned that a backflip is quicker than trad or WFP

[Bob McKillop]

sorry about the half message - broke my arm playing rugby so typing away with left here - but was looking for some tips on using backflip on upstairs windows?

[Sir Squeaky]

I'm sure it's the quickest way in the right hands, but it doesn't look easy.

Must take practice to do it without runs.

[KJG]

I'm sure it's the quickest way in the right hands, but it doesn't look easy.

Must take practice to do it without runs.

On windows with any protuding seal, you will always leave runs or thick edges. You could always tie a scrim/microfibre to it after but what a load of bother.

[Sir Squeaky]

Yeah, sod all that bother.
It would be like using wfp.

[dai]

I used one for years, mostly as an an all in one tool with the blade just behind the applicator. I used it with a pole too, applicator facing one way and the blade the other. I found it was only really practical if I used it to do windows that were just too high to reach from the ground. soap the glass turn it over, wipe the blade, and pull it from top to bottom, wipe the blade again and repeat untill you clean the whole pane.
 As an all in one tool it is a brilliant piece of kit, the jobs done in a single pass.
The only thing I have against the backflip is it's weight, that's why We switched to the Wagtail, it only weighs half as much. I think a dogeared Wagtail is the best bit of kit ever for trad cleaning. Like anything else it takes practice to get the technique right. We have been using them for over a year now and would never go back to using a seperate applicator and a sqeegie. Why go over the glass twice when you can do the lot in one go? The Wagtail may be seen as some as just another gimmick, But, they have been using them for years in Australia where they were invented. I believe that a new design is being brought out. I would be the first to buy one. Dai

[Sir Squeaky]

Hi Dai.
I'm definately interested in this Wagtail.
Is there anywhere on the net where you can see one in action?

I still can't quite picture how it works.
If I could get get even faster....my word!

Rog.

[rosskesava]

I've asked this before but I can't find the previous postings about it.

What's a wagtail?

I did try a back flip with the mop and squeegie back to back but I found the weight of it pushed the blade to hard against the glass. Maybe if I practised a bit more I could have worked it out but when you're constantly short of time for the amount of work, learning a new technique becomes a problem.

Cheers

[pjulk]

rosskesava said -

What's a wagtail?

Take a look here i have never used one though
http://www.omnipole.com/wagtail_combi.htm

Paul

[macc]

Yeah, sod all that bother.
It would be like using wfp.

sod having to tie a scrim to it.
thats like carrying ladders round all day. 

WHATS LADDERS. 

[rosskesava]

Cheers for that Paul

I'm going to order one tomorrow and give it a try.

What's 'giving it a try'?

[mattstanley]

So with the Wagtail, do you use it in a traditional slalom motion or do you just pull across or pull down?

[gaza]

ross: a wagtail is a bird

if it was developed in Australia do you start at the bottom an work your way to the top? carnt work it out cus they would be upside down? think about it


 gaza

[rosskesava]

Cheers Gaza

Always the voice of logic and reason... You've been at the booze again.

I'll net one in the morning and see how well it cleans windows. If it's anything like its cousins, the seagulls, then it won't last long. 

I'll also listen for it's churping, if it sounds like an Ozzie churp then I'll turn it upside down and start it at the top and turn it right way up when it starts doing the windows so as it thinks it is at home. Then it will think it's going upwards when it's going downwards. Or the other way round.

Or something like it.

 

[Terry_Burrows]

with the backflip and ledges that poke out we use a unger flat head that gives you the angle to squeegee glass above your head infront of you,this tool is a must in your bucket
 I have been useing these tools for many years,and practice is what you need along with good rubbers in them

[Colin D]

Here's a link for wagtail info and video footage.
C

http://www.wagtail.com/ergonomics.htm

[JohnL]

Terry, whatever is an Unger flathead?

I started using an Unger Visa Versa today for the first time and found it extremely good.  Much quicker from a ladder but wish I could got it on my Pro Curve pole. I'm going to try and make an adaptor for it.

JohnL

[dai]

You use the Wagtail the same way as you use a squeegee, it's all in one. The Wagtail
handle swivels, so it's much easier on the wrist too.
The applicator part is a pad, a bit like a paint pad. I t doesn't hold much water so you do need a bucket on a belt. Two mugs of water in your bucket should do you for  at least a couple of houses. It took me four house to get the hang of it, once you do you can really fly through the work. It's great for doing insides because there is so little water going on the glass, there's hardly any mess to mop up. And here's another bonus. If you have a sill cloth in one hand you can mop the water off the top of the letter boxes before it goes down the back and leaves those nasty letter box runs. With practice you can use them on a pole in the slalom fashion, and they make them up to 30 ins wide for the big shop fronts. Once mastered you will never go back to the standard applicator and squeegee. I wouldn't that's for sure. Dai

[Terry_Burrows]

I think the other term for the flat head is the side swipe the angle on the squee gee has not got an angle,so this ables you to clean windows in front of you above,where the norm will not let you do this

[gaza]

Ive tried downloading the plugins and nothing happens?
any clues

  gaza