Take a guess

[BostonMike]

To many channels to fumble around with in my opinion. I roll with five precut channels. I use to have about 14 channels to juggle. I detail every side of every pain on residential so an exact fit is not necessary. I learned this trick from a guy who has 10 employees. His guys move faster with less squeegees to fiddle around with. They fan the regular panes with their 12" channel and straight pull all cut ups with four smaller ones. He found out that they increased production with less squeegees.

[Rxforu]

We use the same set up. I take a Dremel and engrave each channel with size and then use a Sharpie so it’s easier visually to see. Our problem is we haven’t found an organizer as good as the one you pictured. Could you please post a link to where that could be bought? We have three different types and they are not as good as that one. It would be most helpful. thank you.

[mephany]

@Alex Lacey

I can devote the lower half of the holder to full 1/4" sizes, and the upper half to the 1/8" in-between sizes. That way there’s a discernible difference between the two channels in one slot.

I like that idea a lot! Easier to keep track of it all.
They do make white paint pens. You have to clear coat it after so it doesn’t come off when in use. Ive always written the sizes because every time Ive tried to engrave, it has not satisfied my OCD need for perfection. I want them to look profession and I am no professional. Maybe I’ll start a squeegee engraving business. Buy an engraving machine. Im sure it would be a lucrative line of work. Im gonna be a millionaire!

[Majestic66]

@BostonMike

To many channels to fumble around with in my opinion. I roll with five precut channels. I use to have about 14 channels to juggle. I detail every side of every pain on residential so an exact fit is not necessary. I learned this trick from a guy who has 10 employees. His guys move faster with less squeegees to fiddle around with. They fan the regular panes with their 12" channel and straight pull all cut ups with four smaller ones. He found out that they increased production with less squeegees.

Mike I hate cut- ups. If I did a lot I would have a set up like Alex is doing. One pull, an Dione. Wet a bunch in , one pull , detail done.

I don’t understand why things need to be marked though? Why would you need the size engraved on the channel. Just eye ball it , if that isn’t the size them try next size up.

Usually in a house there all the same size, so it’s not like every window you will have to figure out what size

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[Infinity]

@BostonMike

To many channels to fumble around with in my opinion. I roll with five precut channels. I use to have about 14 channels to juggle. I detail every side of every pain on residential so an exact fit is not necessary. I learned this trick from a guy who has 10 employees. His guys move faster with less squeegees to fiddle around with. They fan the regular panes with their 12" channel and straight pull all cut ups with four smaller ones. He found out that they increased production with less squeegees.

I won’t doubt the experience of your friend or you- too many squeegees can be a time suck.

I’m hoping good organization will solve that issue, though. If it’s just a matter of taking 2 minutes at the start of a job to measure a few panes, select the matching squeegees, and record the measurements in the job notes for next time, I believe this will save a ton of time. I’ve struggled through some sizable jobs with the ‘wrong’ size squeegees, and it’s no fun. Whereas, I’ve had some jobs where I spent 10-15 minutes just getting a couple channels cut to size with the hacksaw, and it saved an hour or more over the rest of the day.

If I had workers, it would probably be hopeless getting them to keep the channels organized properly. I don’t think I would attempt this system with employees.

[Infinity]

@Rxforu

We use the same set up. I take a Dremel and engrave each channel with size and then use a Sharpie so it’s easier visually to see. Our problem is we haven’t found an organizer as good as the one you pictured. Could you please post a link to where that could be bought? We have three different types and they are not as good as that one. It would be most helpful. thank you.

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[BostonMike]

“If I had workers, it would probably be hopeless getting them to keep the channels organized properly. I don’t think I would attempt this system with employees.” Alex: I think that is the key reason for my opinion.

[Atlas1]

@Alex Lacey

what’s a ladder roller?

I think I’m going to adopt my friend’s method of engraving them with metric sizes. It’ll be a project for another night. But at least half of the brass ones are already engraved.

The other part will be labelling the pockets somehow, so I can find the right size channels quickly- and put them back in the right spots. Not sure what I’ll use for that- maybe a white fabric pen? If there’s such a thing…

A silver sharpie works great for writing on black Cordura…might be an easy way to label the holder.

Jesse
Atlas Services - Exterior Cleaning Specialists
North Carolina
www.CallAtlas.com

[mephany]

This might sound crazy to people in other parts of the country, but In Massachusetts, some houses are literally 200-300 years old and need on average 4 or 5 different squeegee sizes. I could just cut a set of squeegees at 1/4" increments, but it would mean having to change the rubber every time to fit the window, which is a waste of rubber. I have a set of 4" and 5" that are at 1/4" increments. My most commonly used sizes 6-9" are all at 1/8" increments. Whats the benefit to having so many squeegees? and why organize them?
1)I have many houses that have 6 over 6 or 12 over 12 panels on a double hung. Multiply that by 30 windows…it’s a lot of passes. Just on 1-12/12 window you are making 48 passes per window (inside and out). DI does not usually work for outsides in this situation unless it’s a newer house.
If you keep a record of what size squeegee you use at these jobs, you arrive at the job, pull out the 3 or 4 you need, and get to work. If you don’t have them organized it can take forever to find the right sizes.
you could just have a couple small size squeegee and detail as you go, but straight pulls don’t streak, they are fast, and they require almost no detailing (the way I do it).
2)The other reason to have small squeegees cut to size is to avoid hand injury. Many of us who have been doing this a long time have experienced repetitive motion injuries, or muscle tightness, or even carpal tunnel. I will do anything to avoid inflaming old injuries. snaking small panes repetitively or doing any more work than is necessary (detailing) means more risk of injury for me. Any of you who are rolling your eyes about this, probably haven’t gotten hurt yet. I thought I was invincible til my first back injury at age 30. I know Im not invincible now and I try to take care of myself to avoid getting hurt. That means chiropractor and massage and stretching. Hard earned wisdom.
3)The last reason to have squeegees cut and organized, is for quick employee training. I can maybe eyeball a size (though not down to the 1/8"), but an employee won’t be able to. they also aren’t great at detailing or snaking the glass when starting out and I don’t want them to be practicing a technique when i have tools that could make it easy for them to do great work immediately. There is nothing better than getting to a job, pulling out the right sized squeegees, and getting right to work.
I have 2 sets of these squeegee kits. I painted one set yellow, and one red, and then wrote the sizes on each one. I include a mini tape measure in the kit so they can quickly measure the glass panel, subtract a 1/4" for rubber on the ends, and pull out the right sized squeegee immediately. Writing that sentence took longer than actually picking out the right squeegee.
trust me…it works.

[CAS]

Just sprayaway the insides wfp the outsides

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[pagliachi]

For just a couple bucks a can
Sprayway is one of my favorite tools !
I’d rather carry a can
Than a million chans
That’s just me…
Peace

** Belief Systems Are Fragile Things. How Will You React When Your Reality Suddenly Ceases To Exist?
Cleaning Windows is Just MyJob, Not My Life…
~ Pompous Basterd

[KleenGleem]

I’m with Melody and Alex. I have a set of alu Steccone Featherlite channels, but my sizes are in increments of 1/2 inch. To be honest, I haven’t found the need to have finer increments than that. You can always cheat an 1/8 inch by stretching the rubber if you have to, although the shorter the channel, the harder that is to do.

As far as labelling goes, I have found that the old 1980’s DYMO labellers with the sticky plastic tape work well. You know, the embossing ones, where you pull a trigger and it punches the letter into the tape. If the channel is clean, and you press the tape down firmly so that it adheres well, I’ve found that it will stay stuck for years. I have many channels that are probably 3 or 4 years old, and the tape is still there. it’s quick, easy, and you don’t have to be a calligraphy artist. For the OCD ones amongst us, myself included, you can even use different colors of tape to further narrow down your identification. BTW, you will probably have to trim the tape just a shade to make it a little narrower before sticking it to the channel. You’ll see what I mean if you try it.

[mephany]

@KleenGleem

As far as labelling goes, I have found that the old 1980’s DYMO labellers with the sticky plastic tape work well. You know, the embossing ones, where you pull a trigger and it punches the letter into the tape. If the channel is clean, and you press the tape down firmly so that it adheres well, I’ve found that it will stay stuck for years. I have many channels that are probably 3 or 4 years old, and the tape is still there. it’s quick, easy, and you don’t have to be a calligraphy artist. For the OCD ones amongst us, myself included, you can even use different colors of tape to further narrow down your identification. BTW, you will probably have to trim the tape just a shade to make it a little narrower before sticking it to the channel. You’ll see what I mean if you try it.

I love this idea. I have tried every which way to label, but assumed a label maker wouldn’t last a week. do they still make embossing labelers? I have a regular one but no way the tape would hold. Cant wait to try this idea!

[mephany]

@pagliachi

For just a couple bucks a can
Sprayway is one of my favorite tools !
I’d rather carry a can
Than a million chans
That’s just me…
Peace

** Belief Systems Are Fragile Things. How Will You React When Your Reality Suddenly Ceases To Exist?
Cleaning Windows is Just MyJob, Not My Life…
~ Pompous Basterd

Sprayaway is a great tool. I use it as well. But when you are doing a house with 40- 12 over 12 windows…spray away won’t cut it for me. So much detailing!!

[ProWindowCleaning]

@mephany

This might sound crazy to people in other parts of the country, but In Massachusetts, some houses are literally 200-300 years old and need on average 4 or 5 different squeegee sizes. I could just cut a set of squeegees at 1/4" increments, but it would mean having to change the rubber every time to fit the window, which is a waste of rubber. I have a set of 4" and 5" that are at 1/4" increments. My most commonly used sizes 6-9" are all at 1/8" increments. Whats the benefit to having so many squeegees? and why organize them?
1)I have many houses that have 6 over 6 or 12 over 12 panels on a double hung. Multiply that by 30 windows…it’s a lot of passes. Just on 1-12/12 window you are making 48 passes per window (inside and out). DI does not usually work for outsides in this situation unless it’s a newer house.
If you keep a record of what size squeegee you use at these jobs, you arrive at the job, pull out the 3 or 4 you need, and get to work. If you don’t have them organized it can take forever to find the right sizes.
you could just have a couple small size squeegee and detail as you go, but straight pulls don’t streak, they are fast, and they require almost no detailing (the way I do it).
2)The other reason to have small squeegees cut to size is to avoid hand injury. Many of us who have been doing this a long time have experienced repetitive motion injuries, or muscle tightness, or even carpal tunnel. I will do anything to avoid inflaming old injuries. snaking small panes repetitively or doing any more work than is necessary (detailing) means more risk of injury for me. Any of you who are rolling your eyes about this, probably haven’t gotten hurt yet. I thought I was invincible til my first back injury at age 30. I know Im not invincible now and I try to take care of myself to avoid getting hurt. That means chiropractor and massage and stretching. Hard earned wisdom.
3)The last reason to have squeegees cut and organized, is for quick employee training. I can maybe eyeball a size (though not down to the 1/8"), but an employee won’t be able to. they also aren’t great at detailing or snaking the glass when starting out and I don’t want them to be practicing a technique when i have tools that could make it easy for them to do great work immediately. There is nothing better than getting to a job, pulling out the right sized squeegees, and getting right to work.
I have 2 sets of these squeegee kits. I painted one set yellow, and one red, and then wrote the sizes on each one. I include a mini tape measure in the kit so they can quickly measure the glass panel, subtract a 1/4" for rubber on the ends, and pull out the right sized squeegee immediately. Writing that sentence took longer than actually picking out the right squeegee.
trust me…it works.

Lots of cut up windows on cape cod, thankfully not so many in central mass… I’ve barely ventured out to western mass for window cleaning work, only done a couple power wash jobs out that way.

Mike Radzik
Pro Window Cleaning
Central Massachusetts

Window Cleaning | Pro Window Cleaning | United States

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[mephany]

@ProWindowCleaning

Lots of cut up windows on cape cod, thankfully not so many in central mass… I’ve barely ventured out to western mass for window cleaning work, only done a couple power wash jobs out that way.

That’s weird…more replacement windows in Central MA? Customers in Western MA tend to be very conscious of the historic nature of their home and when replacing windows try to get new windows in keeping with that. $$
Where’s your home base Mike?

[ProWindowCleaning]

@mephany

That’s weird…more replacement windows in Central MA? Customers in Western MA tend to be very conscious of the historic nature of their home and when replacing windows try to get new windows in keeping with that. $$
Where’s your home base Mike?

Based out of worcester. Most of the homes I do have been newer developments and luckily built within the last 10 years-ish, very grateful for that and not being on the cape anymore. Storm windows on the ocean with oxidized everything drove me nuts daily.

Mike Radzik
Pro Window Cleaning
Central Massachusetts

Window Cleaning | Pro Window Cleaning | United States

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource

[mephany]

@ProWindowCleaning

Based out of worcester. Most of the homes I do have been newer developments and luckily built within the last 10 years-ish, very grateful for that and not being on the cape anymore. Storm windows on the ocean with oxidized everything drove me nuts daily.

There is nothing less satisfying than cleaning windows by the ocean. I feel like they last a day before they are ruined. I love new developments! If I was starting fresh with no potential customer base Thats what I would go for. Id say Im a mix of half and half. So you’re an hour away from me.