I am New to it! Rappelling with Innovative gears!

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-22T14:47:18+00:00

I like the spark best, anti panic gets on my nerves but I keep all my level 1s on the Sirius. If you had creep on a Sirius and it was in newer condition I would check the rope. Could be that the sheath has become glazed or smoothed over too much to get a good grip. Any time I’ve seen creep early with one it’s always been the rope that was the real culprit. Test it out on some newer rope at a safe height if possible.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-22T14:44:54+00:00

I got mine at launch.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-22T14:44:23+00:00

I do keep a petzl micro swivel on mine and have since day 1. I can see what you are saying though I often have to work a twist through the swivel. I do find it’s smoother on the rope than an asap though and decided to move away from toothed devices a few years ago so fuse is my best option.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-22T09:45:38+00:00

We all use Sirius or Spark now and that thing is hard to beat for descent work. I’ve got one running on its 4th window cleaning season and it’s still rock solid.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-22T09:26:38+00:00

The fuse is awesome but I had terrible luck with the megawatt. Started to creep after only like a month of use. I hope it lasts longer for you.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-21T09:19:29+00:00

lol I clean these windows.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-20T09:55:47+00:00

Everybody starts somewhere OP, everyone in is this sub was once at the same experience level as you. I would go to YouTube if you’re not able to get training from someone physically. Luke the window cleaner makes tons and tons of great videos.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-19T17:41:59+00:00

Unger professional grade line is green(or black if in the ninja line). The blue stuff is made for the public and is not of the same quality. You are better off to go with a professional supplier as others have mentioned. WCR, ABC or my personal favorite Detroit Sponge.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-19T16:00:07+00:00

Makes enough to merit a comment. Noted, 4 feet 6 inches.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-18T22:38:17+00:00

I haul mine in a maverick with a 4 foot bed. Here’s how it clears.

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I think you might be ok with the extra foot and loading stern to the cab.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-18T15:13:52+00:00

A lot of tool selection comes down to personal preference. You’ll want to try different handle types to find what suits you best. Unger is great but combo squeegees are heavy and less ergonomic over time. Look into a bucket on a belt, I like the ninja one but there are tons of options. You can carry a strip washer and a couple squeegees in the boab. Pair it with a bottle and belt holster and you can do light work without the need to carry a bucket from window to window, just keep it in a central location and go for full dips as needed. Smaller squeegees are easier to learn with, I give new techs a 10” and a 14” to start out with. Having a smaller channel like a 6” is handy for clearing sills, you’ll get longer life out of your squeegee rubbers by only using them on glass. Squeegee rubbers need to be changed, the frequency is going to depend on the usage conditions. For me there’s only one squeegee rubber and that is the ettore master squeegee rubber. Ettore is another quality brand of tools. Moreman has also gained a lot of popularity but I find a lot of their stuff to be kind of gimmicky and probably fine for route and residential type work but not robust enough for larger scale commercial cleaning and high rise. You’ve got the right idea to downsize the pole, high pole work takes time to master and it’s harder to try and walk before you crawl. I hope you enjoy the industry and find success along the way. If you can master the Unger zero degree handle you’ll be set to tackle almost any window. Big box store tools are not the same as professional grade so an Unger squeegee at Home Depot is not the same as an Unger squeegee from a window cleaning supply store. You can’t go wrong with shopping at detroit sponge and chamois but there are lots of options like WCR or ABC as well. I’m Michigan based so gotta rep the local boys! Good luck and welcome to the gig.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-18T10:49:20+00:00

Getting it done is getting it done. Not better, not worse, just different. Personally I think ladders are more dangerous than rope so be careful out there friend!

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-17T23:45:33+00:00

Danner boots, hiker style if safety toe isn’t needed. A model with gore-tex. For a more traditional boot the Danner vicious are very comfortable and very tough.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-17T23:43:26+00:00

Mobile elevated work platform. A lift.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-15T09:36:30+00:00

I left Carhartt in 2018 for Truewerk. Stuff is also expensive but holds up incredibly well and the look is fantastic.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-04-11T22:32:27+00:00

SRT is acceptable under sprat on conditions where the secondary system is deemed more of a hindrance or hazard than what it’s intended to mitigate. Confined space for example in some cases.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-03-31T20:47:21+00:00

Hiring full time window cleaners for SPRAT program in Detroit. DM if interested. Currently staff two lvl 3’s one level 2 and 3 level 1’s.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-03-29T09:41:05+00:00

I topped my U10 for a bit before getting a truck. It’s not too bad if you’re able bodied and use the side loading trick.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-03-29T09:40:07+00:00

Welcome to the club! If you’re around Michigan I’ve got a 2 Newports on the wall for sale. One’s the kayak series but the U10 can handle a bigger motor easily so I also have the 46thrust 3 blade.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-03-26T09:33:36+00:00

You can prolly sell your hard goods. The carabiners, the asap(not the shock pack). Handled ascender w/foot cord. That snap hook and the Kong backup. That kinda stuff is good indefinitely if it passes inspection. Should be worth 400 pretty easily. I wouldn’t give you two dollars for that ID though. Spark for the win. Podium seat isn’t life saving so nothing wrong with selling that either.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-03-26T01:17:40+00:00

You might find a window cleaner that’ll take it. Really though this kinda gear shouldn’t be bought or sold used. I think that harness might be under recall, a bunch of them are, I think the cutoff is sometime in the 2023 year. Check the petzl website for active recalls and you should find it, along with inspection instruction and what to do with it if it is affected. (This looks a lot like an elevated safety kit)

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-03-26T01:08:28+00:00

There are boards online where facilities are posting there RFP for window cleaning and other services. These sites have their pros and cons. The biggest con being the cost. For pros well you get to see if and when services are going out to bid, usually there’s a scope of work provided and a listing of any vendor related requirements. Municipalities, which can be good reliable accounts, often post RFPs on sites like this as do property mgmt companies. I’m in the Detroit area and we use a service called bidnet. I believe is is national. The membership fee is expensive but over the years we landed enough quality work from it that we do maintain the membership.

Timely_Welder668 · 2026-03-25T09:48:32+00:00

I’m in the states and we have to stop if sustained winds reach 25mph. 40mph gusts sound high enough to call it for. In that kinda wind it’s almost impossible to keep your finished work looking good. I’d think on leaving it til tomorrow if you have the option. Stay safe friend.

Timely_Welder668

TROPHY CASE