All swivels are not the same.

[Mikey P]

Probably the most commonly used wand swivel for our industry is what you see on hard surface floor wands. (Gecko tools , TurboForce etc..)

Here is one used on a carpet wand..

These never got popular for carpet for some reason. Either internal diameter restriction, sloppy play, leakage or durability.



Mytee had their original swivel on the original Bentley which was not used on the new version. Failures were common as was "stiction" or a notchy feeling. Far too loose an action for my preference.

Mytee's new swivel is a bit stiffer but has lots of slop. I'm not quite sure if the model we had was broken internally. The new Bentley is by far the lightest of the Swivel wand options. The metal glide is a deal breaker for me. I would expect a teflon option from Green Glides down the road.

Devastator wands. There are many swivel designs being used on these. Lots of confusion. The best/most durable were those built by Tom Conway. Nice stiff action and almost no failure issues. Stiff is best IMO.
Tom's "Dev Pro" was a collaboration between Tom and Caltools and is no longer available.

CalTools displayed a new and hopefully improved swivel in Atlanta this past week.
6 tiny screws hold the mechanism together and with the use of two Allen screws you can lock out the swivel action. I was very impressed with the manifold and jet placement on this new head.

The manifold did add very noticeable weight to the wand compared to the red model seen above.


Next up with be Tom Conway's new creation. Based on what details Tom has shared with me, his new wand will be unlike anything else seen by our industry so far.

and swivelized...







I'd like to see somebody offer a swivel hop up kit for rigid wands that would include a bolt on swivel, manifold Y hose and fittings and all necessary hard ware. I'd pay good money to convert my beloved Mach 12...

 

[Cody Ransom]

I bought Tony's new wand about a week ago and there's a little sloppy not a lot. I don't notice it when I am cleaning. Now I didn't like the metal on metal so I went ahead and threw some nice synthetic grease in there. It a lot smoother and what's great about it is when you're cleaning the hot water gets the metal warm. It will get the grease more fluid and work better at creating a film on the metals. So they're not just rubbing against each other as bad and bored It out and get sloppier. A cheap add on to the Devpro and that would improve that smoothness and keep it tight is to put a plastic bearing in there. So it's not metal on metal it's the metal and plastic and have some type of lubricant or a grease in there. By the way mine is not leak grease at all.

 

[Cleantechsk]

I hope Tom's is an excellent wand! ...holding out for it?
My build will be nearing completion soon and all I have kicking around is the single jet 1.5 steamway wand lol.
Shoot me now lol

 

[Captain Morgan]

What does "slop" refer to? Are you talking about looseness or play in the swivel mechanism of the wand?
Thanks,
Capt.

 

[Mikey P]

yes, side to side play...rattles actually..

 

[Todd Millar]

Is Toms new wand going to be 2 inch, 1 1/2 inch or both?
Is nashville going to be the official debut?

 

[Mikey P]

Only 2"
Yes on Nashville

 

[The Wizard]

At the risk of repeating myself, I hope Tom releases a comparable stair tool as well

Does anyone have confirmation of such ?

Thanks

 

[Desk Jockey]

Gawwwd I tried those 1.5 wands. They felt hard to push and I felt like a real pussy using 1.5.

 

[TConway]

Thanks Mike,
Yes the wand will be ready for Mikey Fest.
This wand I am working on is a 2" Ti tubed, the head is a machined billet head.

It will have my swivel that I designed for the original Dev Pro's, there were a few that had some issues, not from swivel failure but from the swivel coming lose from the heads themselves, I have addressed that issue and it will no longer happen.
I think the main reason for this was because we should have included a maintenance instruction sheet to show how to properly maintain the swivel.

Mikey has one of the first THREE ever made, it was my personal wand, I also made two other wands that I gave to my buddies here in town to help me test them, Ivan, and Damon, they are still using them today and so far have held up very well. There is no doubt that they will wear out someday, they have to because they are a moving part, it is just going to happen.

I only designed the swivel because people asked for it, at the time I was not a fan of a swivel at all, the ones I tried had no resistance in them and actually gave me arm pump kinda like my old dirt bike days trying to keep the wand upright as I cleaned, so when I designed the swivel I wanted to make the wand more like a hybrid if you will, meaning you are not fighting it in open areas, also what I hated the most was the wand tilt at the baseboards when you want to crack the wand and suck up debris, my swivel still allows you to do this, you can also sit the wand down and not have it swivel over and lock down to the carpet when you need to move something.

After getting the swivel where I feel it is right, I can say I would not go back to a rigid wand, you really don't realize how much a swivel does, or is used till you try it, get over the learning curve of using one, many are used to the wand handle staying in the upright position, and fight with the swivel trying to keep the handle upright or at the 12:00 position....If you stand up and naturally swing your arm over to the wand position you will notice that really the 12:00 is really not correct, more like 2:00 as you get used to working with a swivel wand the handle really tilts to your natural hand position so it is much easier on you wrist. It takes a little adjustment but once you do it is not even noticed

I have to say Tim is doing a awesome job helping me bring this new wand to reality, He has also contributed on ideas that I would have missed. He has also taken my thoughts and made them possible, where there is no way I have the ability, or knowledge, to transform metal into what I was thinking. I can say this, I will no longer help or partner with anyone ever again, I will never be able to compete in price with some of the others, but what I can say is my quality of tools will never be doubted

Thank you Mikey and all that support us, and in all honesty I would also say thank you to Joe Bristor I know we don't see eye to eye anymore but back in the filter days Joe did believe in me and really if he would not have pushed me, I probably would not be doing what I love to do.

 

[Cody Ransom]

I didn't think I would like a swivel on my wand but now I don't want a wand with out one it just make it easier. Tom my background is in manufacturing and I loved it. It seem like you're seeing the fun of making something out of nothing. CNC machinery is my favorite it's just cool what those machines can do.

 

[jcooper]

The new Bentley is by far the lightest of the Swivel wand options. The metal glide is a deal breaker for me. I would expect a Teflon option from Green Glides down the road.

Sure looks pretty...

 

[Desk Jockey]

It handled funky. Hated the metal glide, no matter how much Mike said it would work great for hacking out apartments. It seemed cheesy.

 

[Bill Soukoreff]

Still love my swivel wand from Tom. The only thing is I wish I could get a hole glide for it. Tried calling Lisa, but no reply. Is green glides still in biz?

Can't wait for Tom's new design.

 

[Mikey P]

I'd like to know more about the guy who designed the new head for caltools.

Pretty impressive.

Juslikezipppa

 

[Cleanworks]

Thanks Mike,
Yes the wand will be ready for Mikey Fest.
This wand I am working on is a 2" Ti tubed, the head is a machined billet head.

It will have my swivel that I designed for the original Dev Pro's, there were a few that had some issues, not from swivel failure but from the swivel coming lose from the heads themselves, I have addressed that issue and it will no longer happen.
I think the main reason for this was because we should have included a maintenance instruction sheet to show how to properly maintain the swivel.

Mikey has one of the first THREE ever made, it was my personal wand, I also made two other wands that I gave to my buddies here in town to help me test them, Ivan, and Damon, they are still using them today and so far have held up very well. There is no doubt that they will wear out someday, they have to because they are a moving part, it is just going to happen.

I only designed the swivel because people asked for it, at the time I was not a fan of a swivel at all, the ones I tried had no resistance in them and actually gave me arm pump kinda like my old dirt bike days trying to keep the wand upright as I cleaned, so when I designed the swivel I wanted to make the wand more like a hybrid if you will, meaning you are not fighting it in open areas, also what I hated the most was the wand tilt at the baseboards when you want to crack the wand and suck up debris, my swivel still allows you to do this, you can also sit the wand down and not have it swivel over and lock down to the carpet when you need to move something.

After getting the swivel where I feel it is right, I can say I would not go back to a rigid wand, you really don't realize how much a swivel does, or is used till you try it, get over the learning curve of using one, many are used to the wand handle staying in the upright position, and fight with the swivel trying to keep the handle upright or at the 12:00 position....If you stand up and naturally swing your arm over to the wand position you will notice that really the 12:00 is really not correct, more like 2:00 as you get used to working with a swivel wand the handle really tilts to your natural hand position so it is much easier on you wrist. It takes a little adjustment but once you do it is not even noticed

I have to say Tim is doing a awesome job helping me bring this new wand to reality, He has also contributed on ideas that I would have missed. He has also taken my thoughts and made them possible, where there is no way I have the ability, or knowledge, to transform metal into what I was thinking. I can say this, I will no longer help or partner with anyone ever again, I will never be able to compete in price with some of the others, but what I can say is my quality of tools will never be doubted

Thank you Mikey and all that support us, and in all honesty I would also say thank you to Joe Bristor I know we don't see eye to eye anymore but back in the filter days Joe did believe in me and really if he would not have pushed me, I probably would not be doing what I love to do.

Tom, I like what you say about the handle being locked at the 12 o'clock position. I deliberately, leave my handle slightly loose and use it cocked over either more to the 10-11 o'clock position or the opposite side at 1-2 o'clock. The only problem I have with this is eventually, the handle comes too loose and I am spending time tightening the bolts as I clean. I am looking forward to seeing your completed wand.

 

[Nate The Great]

Tom, I like what you say about the handle being locked at the 12 o'clock position. I deliberately, leave my handle slightly loose and use it cocked over either more to the 10-11 o'clock position or the opposite side at 1-2 o'clock. The only problem I have with this is eventually, the handle comes too loose and I am spending time tightening the bolts as I clean. I am looking forward to seeing your completed wand.

Maybe try "wing nuts" instead?

 

[Cleanworks]

That's all I need. Wings nuts on the wand instead of behind it.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Thanks Mike,
Yes the wand will be ready for Mikey Fest.
This wand I am working on is a 2" Ti tubed, the head is a machined billet head.

It will have my swivel that I designed for the original Dev Pro's, there were a few that had some issues, not from swivel failure but from the swivel coming lose from the heads themselves, I have addressed that issue and it will no longer happen.
I think the main reason for this was because we should have included a maintenance instruction sheet to show how to properly maintain the swivel.

Mikey has one of the first THREE ever made, it was my personal wand, I also made two other wands that I gave to my buddies here in town to help me test them, Ivan, and Damon, they are still using them today and so far have held up very well. There is no doubt that they will wear out someday, they have to because they are a moving part, it is just going to happen.

I only designed the swivel because people asked for it, at the time I was not a fan of a swivel at all, the ones I tried had no resistance in them and actually gave me arm pump kinda like my old dirt bike days trying to keep the wand upright as I cleaned, so when I designed the swivel I wanted to make the wand more like a hybrid if you will, meaning you are not fighting it in open areas, also what I hated the most was the wand tilt at the baseboards when you want to crack the wand and suck up debris, my swivel still allows you to do this, you can also sit the wand down and not have it swivel over and lock down to the carpet when you need to move something.

After getting the swivel where I feel it is right, I can say I would not go back to a rigid wand, you really don't realize how much a swivel does, or is used till you try it, get over the learning curve of using one, many are used to the wand handle staying in the upright position, and fight with the swivel trying to keep the handle upright or at the 12:00 position....If you stand up and naturally swing your arm over to the wand position you will notice that really the 12:00 is really not correct, more like 2:00 as you get used to working with a swivel wand the handle really tilts to your natural hand position so it is much easier on you wrist. It takes a little adjustment but once you do it is not even noticed

I have to say Tim is doing a awesome job helping me bring this new wand to reality, He has also contributed on ideas that I would have missed. He has also taken my thoughts and made them possible, where there is no way I have the ability, or knowledge, to transform metal into what I was thinking. I can say this, I will no longer help or partner with anyone ever again, I will never be able to compete in price with some of the others, but what I can say is my quality of tools will never be doubted

Thank you Mikey and all that support us, and in all honesty I would also say thank you to Joe Bristor I know we don't see eye to eye anymore but back in the filter days Joe did believe in me and really if he would not have pushed me, I probably would not be doing what I love to do.

Hey Tom, I'm glad things are going the way you finally need them to go. I have a major request when I order your new wand. Can you design it to have the glides that the Mach wands use. I hate the slotted green glides. I've found one big opening to be the best for me. That would be a deal breaker if I can't get that option.

 

[FFA]

Is there a price on this wand Tom? Can you guys help me out and tell me when Mikeys fest is?

 

[FFA]

Thanks Mike,
Yes the wand will be ready for Mikey Fest.
This wand I am working on is a 2" Ti tubed, the head is a machined billet head.

It will have my swivel that I designed for the original Dev Pro's, there were a few that had some issues, not from swivel failure but from the swivel coming lose from the heads themselves, I have addressed that issue and it will no longer happen.
I think the main reason for this was because we should have included a maintenance instruction sheet to show how to properly maintain the swivel.

Mikey has one of the first THREE ever made, it was my personal wand, I also made two other wands that I gave to my buddies here in town to help me test them, Ivan, and Damon, they are still using them today and so far have held up very well. There is no doubt that they will wear out someday, they have to because they are a moving part, it is just going to happen.

I only designed the swivel because people asked for it, at the time I was not a fan of a swivel at all, the ones I tried had no resistance in them and actually gave me arm pump kinda like my old dirt bike days trying to keep the wand upright as I cleaned, so when I designed the swivel I wanted to make the wand more like a hybrid if you will, meaning you are not fighting it in open areas, also what I hated the most was the wand tilt at the baseboards when you want to crack the wand and suck up debris, my swivel still allows you to do this, you can also sit the wand down and not have it swivel over and lock down to the carpet when you need to move something.

After getting the swivel where I feel it is right, I can say I would not go back to a rigid wand, you really don't realize how much a swivel does, or is used till you try it, get over the learning curve of using one, many are used to the wand handle staying in the upright position, and fight with the swivel trying to keep the handle upright or at the 12:00 position....If you stand up and naturally swing your arm over to the wand position you will notice that really the 12:00 is really not correct, more like 2:00 as you get used to working with a swivel wand the handle really tilts to your natural hand position so it is much easier on you wrist. It takes a little adjustment but once you do it is not even noticed

I have to say Tim is doing a awesome job helping me bring this new wand to reality, He has also contributed on ideas that I would have missed. He has also taken my thoughts and made them possible, where there is no way I have the ability, or knowledge, to transform metal into what I was thinking. I can say this, I will no longer help or partner with anyone ever again, I will never be able to compete in price with some of the others, but what I can say is my quality of tools will never be doubted

Thank you Mikey and all that support us, and in all honesty I would also say thank you to Joe Bristor I know we don't see eye to eye anymore but back in the filter days Joe did believe in me and really if he would not have pushed me, I probably would not be doing what I love to do.

Will we be able to customize the length?

 

[FB19087]

Can you guys help me out and tell me when Mikeys fest is?

Nashville this year.
July 21-23-2016

 

[FFA]

Thankyou Fred

 

[cleanking]

@TConway I have enjoyed the wand since we got one last September. The swivel functions great.

We have had the trigger go out. Wanted to know where to order a replacement, really liked the way that one felt.

 

[Cleantechsk]

so...far...away lol

 

[Mikey P]

@TConway I have enjoyed the wand since we got one last September. The swivel functions great.

We have had the trigger go out. Wanted to know where to order a replacement, really liked the way that one felt.

Most likely a Westpark brass Soft Touch. What do you mean by "go out"? If it is leaking, just get a rebuild kit

 

[cleanking]

Most likely a Westpark brass Soft Touch. What do you mean by "go out"? If it is leaking, just get a rebuild kit

Not leaking, it sticks and keeps spraying after you've let off the trigger.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Broken spring, easy fix.

 

[Mikey P]

Open it up, you'll see the problem

 

[TConway]

I cant wait for the wand to be finished, I think you guys will like it. Should be getting everything pretty much wrapped up next week some time. Been doing a little final RnD on the jet manifolds this past week and came up with a killer set up. If everything comes in and is all good I will post some pics of our progress.
My prototype is working killer, I will have to talk with PMF about custom length tubes, and if we get that taken care of I think we will have a great wand. That should make every carpet cleaning geek like myself very happy.
Oh and Marty no overspray you can dial in the spray edge as close to the wand edge as you want.
Really looking forward to the show and seeing what you guys think of the wand.