[AuRavelling79]

Well, Alex sent me the new clamps for my SL-X Mk2 and being a cautious sort I only fitted the uppermost one this weekend (as that was the one at the limit of it's adjustment) and used it today.

It is superb - incredibly light and easy to use - and locks really solidly. This weekend coming I will replace the next two. (I generally only use the top 4 sections of my pole.)

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

I did my top section on a monday morning as I'd been lazy all weekend and not got round to it, used a rapid set adhesive and all go the same morning. 

Words can't explain how much better the new clamps are (best clamps ever), they do reduce wear on the pole as well (no gritty sounds).  However they are a bit more fragile.  I managed to bash one against a fence post and snap the handle, however Alex sent some spares out free 

Simon.

[trevor perry]

they are good clamps but i seem to be going through a lot of the barrel nuts, i am not over tightening them but they just dont seem to last, have you got no meytal barrell nuts alex surely they would be better.

[Alex Gardiner]

they are good clamps but i seem to be going through a lot of the barrel nuts, i am not over tightening them but they just dont seem to last, have you got no meytal barrell nuts alex surely they would be better.

Metal barrel nuts would have no lock-nut facility.

A small percentage of clients (like yourself) have had a problem with the barrel nuts. The bolts are currently very easy to tighten, this can lead to inadvertent over-tightening of the bolt position which allows the lever arm to put too much force on the barrel nut. These clamps actually only need minimum lever arm pressure to hold the section.

There is a solution on the way, which will be sent out to the hundreds of clients who have bought the new SL-X poles. This will comprise a new barrel nut/lever arm/bolt cap design which although looking much like the current model will address this issue completely. The barrel will be twice as strong and will feature a better lock-nut facility which will give the bolt more resistance thereby stopping it loosening off and also will prevent inadvertent over-tightening. It will all work in exactly the same way, but will deal with this issue that you are experiencing.

We expect this upgrade to be with us by next week and will automatically be sent out to all clients who have either bought the new pole or the clamp upgrade.

[GWCS]

they are good clamps but i seem to be going through a lot of the barrel nuts, i am not over tightening them but they just dont seem to last, have you got no meytal barrell nuts alex surely they would be better.

Metal barrel nuts would have no lock-nut facility.

A small percentage of clients (like yourself) have had a problem with the barrel nuts. The bolts are currently very easy to tighten, this can lead to inadvertent over-tightening of the bolt position which allows the lever arm to put too much force on the barrel nut. These clamps actually only need minimum lever arm pressure to hold the section.

There is a solution on the way, which will be sent out to the hundreds of clients who have bought the new SL-X poles. This will comprise a new barrel nut/lever arm/bolt cap design which although looking much like the current model will address this issue completely. The barrel will be twice as strong and will feature a better lock-nut facility which will give the bolt more resistance thereby stopping it loosening off and also will prevent inadvertent over-tightening. It will all work in exactly the same way, but will deal with this issue that you are experiencing.

We expect this upgrade to be with us by next week and will automatically be sent out to all clients who have either bought the new pole or the clamp upgrade.

so this new compromise will replace the new upgraded barrel nuts you had made after the original dodgy batch first sent out?

[Alex Gardiner]

Compromise???

Continuous improvement for the small percentage that have had a problem. Whilst it does not affect most users I realised that for a few more thousand pounds in moulding costs it would be worth dealing with for these users.

[GWCS]

Compromise???

Continuous improvement for the small percentage that have had a problem. Whilst it does not affect most users I realised that for a few more thousand pounds in moulding costs it would be worth dealing with for these users.

sorry i miss read your initial post 

This will comprise a new barrel nut/lever arm/bolt cap design which although looking much like the current model will address this issue completely.

So every new model slx owner will get them or those that are having problems?

[Alex Gardiner]

All will get them FOC as soon as we get them in.

[trevor perry]

THANKS ALEX as usual top class service.

[John Walker]

THANKS ALEX as usual top class service.

Ditto - thanks

John

[Pittmonkey]

Hope I'm on the list Alex, seem to be going through the upgraded barrels. 
Must be having too many Shredded Wheat in the mornings.

Thanks
Wayne

[ftp]

That's good. I used my metal barrels but snapped the levers instead.  :

[Alex Gardiner]

That's good. I used my metal barrels but snapped the levers instead.  :

I suppose that's better than the carbon crushing! 

[John Walker]

Hope I'm on the list Alex, seem to be going through the upgraded barrels. 
Must be having too many Shredded Wheat in the mornings.

Thanks
Wayne

I'm yet to have one break - still have the originals on even though Alex sent me replacements.  You do NOT need a lot of pressure to ensure the tubes are locked.

[ftp]

That's good. I used my metal barrels but snapped the levers instead.  :

I suppose that's better than the carbon crushing! 

Most likely the clamps get hit as the pole slides back into the rack in my van I expect. I never use much pressure on them. I liked the mkll levers better but think the mklll clamps are good.

[Clive McDonald]

I ordered another one today, and have had the same barrell nut issues as you guys. The cam can also suffer from stess fracture.(ie. they must break)

Maybe an industrial design engineer should have taken a good look at this.

There is a simple get you out of trouble solution should anybody break anything and want to carry on using the pole. The solution is not as good as the cams for locking the sections, but is simple and does work.

I've been promised some plastic bits with my new order, if i get them i'll put some pictures up and show you the very simple if all else fails solution.

If you look at other good examples of product design such as the clock work radio, or the dyson dual cyclone, alex has actually done incredibly well.

[mick hay]

If you have an old slx, use the metal barrel nuts from that, i have and they work great!

[Pittmonkey]

they are good clamps but i seem to be going through a lot of the barrel nuts, i am not over tightening them but they just dont seem to last, have you got no meytal barrell nuts alex surely they would be better.

Metal barrel nuts would have no lock-nut facility.

A small percentage of clients (like yourself) have had a problem with the barrel nuts. The bolts are currently very easy to tighten, this can lead to inadvertent over-tightening of the bolt position which allows the lever arm to put too much force on the barrel nut. These clamps actually only need minimum lever arm pressure to hold the section.

There is a solution on the way, which will be sent out to the hundreds of clients who have bought the new SL-X poles. This will comprise a new barrel nut/lever arm/bolt cap design which although looking much like the current model will address this issue completely. The barrel will be twice as strong and will feature a better lock-nut facility which will give the bolt more resistance thereby stopping it loosening off and also will prevent inadvertent over-tightening. It will all work in exactly the same way, but will deal with this issue that you are experiencing.

We expect this upgrade to be with us by next week and will automatically be sent out to all clients who have either bought the new pole or the clamp upgrade.

Any news on the upgrade Alex?

Wayne

[ftp]

I've put a drop of loctite on my nuts 

Works a treat.

[Alex Gardiner]

Any news on the upgrade Alex?

Wayne

They should have been run off on Monday but the firm had a delay on their previous product line.  I should see them by the end of this week, so in the next few days clients will start receiving the upgrade automatically.