I spent a lot of money on my x-tel hybrid pole, and I take the time and effort to look after it.
When I did my first window above a roof, I could have cried when I seen the scatches caused to my new pole by the roof tiles, as time has past, the pole gets ever more and more scratches, this will eventually lead to me having to replace a section/s if they are replacable?? and at what cost?
I was doing my routine maintenance to my pole today and on closer inspection I thought to my self, this pole needs some protection for the future if its going to last me.
So into the workshop I go, to have a look at what I can do, or find to protect my pole?
There in the corner was some 1'1/4 waste pipe, this could be what I'm looking for Mmmmm!....first of all I asked the boss if she had any spare velcro? because my first idea was to cut the pipe in half and then cut some slots into the half of pipe. 'No velcro in the house' and I couldn't be bothered to jump into the car to get any, so it was back to the drawing board.
Then I hit on the idea, If I was to cut only a slice of the pipe I could then just clip it onto the sections of my x-tel pole, So into the bandsaw the pipe went and I cut a small section off, as you can see in the pictures.
I first clipped it onto the main scatched section of my pole,
eureka it was going to work and stay where I put it
.
I then began to experiment with clipping it to different sections of the pole where, it was most likly to come into contact with the roof tiles, It fitted every section, including the meaty bottom section (Check out the pics) now it wont fit the top sections, but there is no need for protection to these sections.
I thought I could leave it connected to the bottom section on a permanent basis and it would always there, when I needed it, but I found it to be a little akward in use, so I will now just chuck it into the trailer and take it out for use on just the jobs I know where its needed.
This has to be one of the best ways I know of, to protect my pole against damage from roof tiles and guttering? I just wish I had it from day one when I first bought my pole.
Here are some pictures of what I have done and in use against a roof edge.
I hope it helps anyone if your about to buy a new pole.
These 2 give an idea of how much was cut off the pipe.
This last one shows how I stored it on the bottom section
