I have been using BRASS ETTOREs and I’m thinking about trying our UNGER to see how their product line is. Whats the advantages of each and why are there two types, brass and stainless steel?
Hey 9der9er…
I use the ETTORE stainless steel channel exclusively for all my sizes. It’s pretty tight and and ridged , so if you drop it of a ladder it won’t bend most of the time…Plus I use the ETTORE pro grip as the handle… Both together are pretty light. ETTORE is in my estimation the best on the market, and I’ve been using them since I was a greenhorn-Rookie…Brass Channels bend a lot easier !
Dangerous Dave
Be Safe Yawl…
The only difference I notice between Unger and Ettore squeegees is the angle is sharper on the Ettore than on the Unger. Ungers will close out easier but the Ettore’s may be easier (to use) before you get to the closing out part.
I like the Unger Ergotecs but my main squeegees (12" & 18") are the modern Ettore Super System handles with the wide body channels by Slayer/S–bo. The Ettore handle provides a nice sharp angle but also closes out really well with the Slayer or S–bo channels.
I use ettore master brass handles and squeegees for everyday work. I think they are heavier and make better contact with the glass. I use unger stainless for heavy work like construction cleanups or when “chemical washing” like stain removal.
I don’t like using the quick release handles unless I cut the rubber wrap off the handle. I have also had problems with quick release handles coming loose during pole work.
My point of view: Brass is heavy. It will slow you down. Brass is soft- it will bend easily if you drop it and it hits something just right. Back in my route work days in 1993, a retired window cleaner chatted with me on a storefront about squeegees and tools. He saw my Ettore Super System with the brass channel and told me that I should get rid of those boat anchors (His exact words). I switched over to Ettore Stainless about a week later and I couldnt believe the difference in how quick I could sling and how much better and less (way less fatigued I might add) my wrist felt. It was also very frustrating having to hack saw a new brass channel every now and then because I bent one. Just my opinoion.
Steve
I hate the metal clips ettore uses. PITA!
There is no ‘best’ squeegee. For the most part, it’s personal preference and a few differing features.
Try out different brands and models in different situations and see what works best for you.
I’ve tried a few different squeeges and channels. I’ve got a favorite for each situation. For residential I love steccone quick release with aluminum featherweight channels. The steccone handle is kind of small for me but its:
- light
- allows for quick channel swapping
- I’ve never had a channel fall off when doing pole work.
The steccone setup makes me feel more ‘precise’ too.
For our commercial properties I like brass ledgers and ettore super quick release with aluminum wide body channels. It makes quick work for large windows.
Looks like there are lots of Unger fans on here but they are my least favorite. Aside from the color (bleech!), they feel cheap (to me).
My favorite part of this business is trying out new gear. Get one handle and get good with it so you can make a good comparison later on.
Do the stainless steel channels from Ettore require the clips like the brass ones?
Good Morning 9der9er…
Yes they need to have them brass clip… But I don’t know if another type will fit, maybe !
Dange
Robinson-Solutions Professional Window Cleaning: Pimp Your Ettore Contour-Pro Squeegee to Clip-less
people have said the plastic unger clips work also.
I haven’t used a clipless channel but I would think without the clips the rubber wouldn’t be as tight as it should be, is it?
Hey 90dy9er…
I really couldn’t say that what The-Racer is projecting does not work, because I haven’t done what is being shown on this link he’s giving, but I can only give you the experience that I’ve garnered while being an established “SON OF ETTORE”.
I don’t like clip-less channels either or those certain channel held by those handles that have the metal teeth in their center.
By using either, when cutting the edge of a frame when snaking the rubber gets pushed back into the channel and then the metal hits the frame and cutting the edge is negated !
Also with those that have the teeth in the handle your really not that able to trim your rubber 2 or 3 times as you progress on its use ( the rubber ).
With brass clips you can trim your rubber 2,3 or maybe 4 times (4 being an exception) and after trimming them your able to set your rubber out even though it is shorter then the channel !
The brass clip can be a pain sometimes, getting them in initially, but for right now thats what I work with and it works ! Even though I like that idea about the plastic clips. I think I might try to see if they’ll work !
Trying new things ( but not every tool on the market) but new things that seem feasible is a step up the ladder to being established into the “SONS OF ETTORE” !
Be Safe out there 90dy9er !
Dange / Just Showing The Range !
I use the Ergo Tech squeegees from Unger 99% unless Im doing a solarium. My Ettore Supersystem pretty much gathers dust since my route work days of 1993. Not too many posters and neon signs to deal with doing residential. The channels are clip less and the rubber is easy to flip without missing a beat. You cant tighten the living heck out of the handle screws or it will cause your rubber to bow in the middle. Snug it down and thats about all you need. I guess you can call me a “SON OF UNGER”. 
Steve
Me too!
By “trimming” you mean the ends of the rubber, where it protrudes from the channel, right? You are pulling the rubber and snipping the very ends, thus getting a sharp edghe on the ends.
[COLOR=“#4b0082”][SIZE=“3”][FONT=“Trebuchet MS”]COMING BACK YOU…[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
Hey there 9d9er…
Yes that’s what I mean, the end of my rubber where it protrudes out the side !
I usually can trim my rubber 3 time and flip it once ! Some times I’ll trim it 4 times !
I don’t snip it though, your talking about some clippers right ? I just use a 11/2" razor and I just chop it, I don’t saw it, I chop it !
You know I’m going to get me some of those plastic clips made by unger ! I think they just might work !
Davey the Dangey
"…Back in my route work days in 1993, a retired window cleaner chatted with me on a storefront about squeegees and tools. He saw my Ettore Super System with the brass channel and told me that I should get rid of those boat anchors (His exact words). I switched over to Ettore Stainless about a week later and I couldnt believe the difference in how quick I could sling and how much better and less (way less fatigued I might add) my wrist felt."
Steve
Steve,
I couldn’t agree with you more. I dumped my Super System handles and brass channels as well because a lighter squeegee is faster to work with. Our business is all about speed, because time is money.
I still carry one Super System handle with my small 5" channel in it because that handle is a nice tool when I need it. I’ll swap the small channel for a longer one when I need to. I move faster and with less wrist fatigue with a smaller lighter handles so that’s what I use most of the time.
On residential I am a big fan of the Steccone Aluminum feather weight handles and channels. Great angle for closing out.
When I do my route work I swap Steccone handles for Ettore brass quick release handles because the angle is better on a pole in my opinion.
I only use one clip per squeegee. This allows the rubber to lay more naturally in the squeegee channel.
Put the other clip away, save it in case you need it later. I learned that trick from Andy Engstrom…
He also said that the only time he recommends using two clips is with the(who?) with 40 degree ends instead of 90.
vic
yaaay
