What’s better, RX20,Rotovac 360, or wand with spinners?

[jeremy parr]

I’ve been doing things the old fashioned way for way too long, hand or power scrub, wand and then dry bonnet after for the really dirty carpets but it just takes too long. Looking for recommendations on which rotary tool is best, I have a Powermatic with a 25 horse/ 45 blower.

 

[Mikey P]

Do you mean a Zipper Super Spinner?

 

[jeremy parr]

That’s one I saw, also saw one I believe was made by Turboforce that’s like my tile tool but rectangular shaped if I remember correctly.

 

[Mikey P]

Thats the CX15 from Interlink

 

[Mikey P]

My current fave is the RV 360i with the Brush Head

 

[jeremy parr]

The CX 15 is the one I was thinking of, how is the 360 up against edges etc? My concern with the rotary is dinging transfer bars etc, also costs significantly more. I have an RX 20 I can buy used for a 1000 but I’m pretty sure it’s an older model, looks real heavy and awkward for tight spaces. Also tried a Drymaster which cleaned really well but it placed all the weight on my wrists and killed my elbows even though I’m a moose with Popeye arms.

 

[Mikey P]

Nothing round and spinning is safe or good around edges.

 

[jeremy parr]

I figured, I’ve mastered not chunking things with the power scrubber, how do you clean the edges, just hit them with your wand? The videos I’ve seen on your page show such a significant difference with the rotary tool.

 

[jeremy parr]

I’m also 6”3 so a tool designed for a midget is out too, no offense to any of the short people!

 

[Josh]

I used to wand the edges and then RX the rest.

 

[jeremy parr]

Any particular likes or dislikes with the RX 20, that Rotovac 360 looks like it cleans really well?

 

[SamIam]

I’m also 6”3 so a tool designed for a midget is out too, no offense to any of the short people!

Dude!

 

[SamIam]

Ok the rx20 is a beast all day everyday!

But..... it weighs a ton! It’s versatile with lots of add on options.

So is the 360i versatile with add on options.

I think the 360i with a brush head is the cats meow!

It’s light and a for sure pull off the truck when needed!

But 90% of jobs don’t need a sledge hammer!

A 10 or 15 inch crb and a wand is gonna be amazing!

Ps also a chimp helper is great to!

 

[SamIam]

I’ve been doing things the old fashioned way for way too long, hand or power scrub, wand and then dry bonnet after for the really dirty carpets but it just takes too long. Looking for recommendations on which rotary tool is best, I have a Powermatic with a 25 horse/ 45 blower.

Dude say hi to your wife Tina for me!

Aka Sam Miller she use to work for us along time ago!

 

[SamIam]

Also congratz on your recent marriage

 

[Steve Lawrence]

Ive got a couple Hi-Speed RX-20's that have been great, Pick up only in Ann Arbor MI.

 

[jeremy parr]

Talk about being a small world! Thanks Sam, I will! Only pointed out the size factor cause some tools I’ve tried literally felt like I was grabbing my ankles when I used them! I had my stair tool custom made cause the regular ones murdered my back. The reason I started looking into a rotary is cause I’ve noticed that even on jobs that aren’t too dirty with no visible soil after extraction if I dry bonnet them as an add on to the cleaning I’ve gotten filthy bonnets back so I want to make sure I’m getting things as clean as possible. Are the older RX 20’s ok? There’s one that looks to be in excellent condition at one of my chemical supply houses that’s for sale for a 1000 that the guy says I can leave a deposit for and try out, but I don’t know what to look at as far as potential problem spots with the tool. I don’t necessarily mind the weight so long as I’m getting a better cleaning result. Tina says hi!

 

[steve_64]

I’m also 6”3 so a tool designed for a midget is out too, no offense to any of the short people!

None taken.

 

[jeremy parr]

Thanks Steve, Michigan is a bit far , I’d eat up whatever I saved in fuel driving from California and back!

 

[Old Coastie]

Jeremy, I have only used the 360i and cannot give a comparison.

Get one. You asked about the edges; it has a flexible shell that allows you to creep right up to baseboards without bashing them. The corners have a little palm-sized curve that is missed, but a quick cuffing gets them.

I’m sure the RX20 is a fine machine too, but I would worry about all the loose mechanical bits. If you find a great price, don’t be too picky.

Good luck!

 

[Cleanworks]

Jeremy, I have used all of the above tools and I would pick the 360i or the 360 xl with the brush head as the absolute best tool overall. I use the i in residential and the xl on commercial. The adjustable handles should work even for someone your size.

 

[jeremy parr]

Man,I love this site, posted something at night for the first time and already have good info , thanks!

 

[Old Coastie]

Man,I love this site, posted something at night for the first time and already have good info , thanks!

Don’t get used to it. The grumps just haven’t rolled outta bed yet.

 

[steve_64]

Don’t get used to it. The grumps just haven’t rolled outta bed yet.

Bite me!

 

[Steve Lawrence]

My personal opinion is that the spinner/vacuum tools like RX-20 and Rotovac 360 are more effective at pickup of dry soils than the stationary spinner tools like the Zipper Spinner judging by the amount of crud clinging to RX-20 vacuum heads after a routine cleaning on carpets that have been vacuumed well and have even had CRB preconditioning.

 

[SamIam]

The 360i has variable speed if Cleaning near transitions or tile,wood ect ect slow it way down and do your edges!

In the middle of the room speed it back up

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Jeremy, if I did residential out of a van, I’d use the 360 because it’s light and does a great job. Now I use the rx20 with brush, because I do commercial and have a trailer
with a ramp.... $1k is not bad for a good rx I’d buy it.

 

[Desk Jockey]

You have max heat and good suck. I'd do a ZIPPER SPINNER.

No power cords, You'll be cutting through soil like a hot knife through butter.

 

[Cleanworks]

Jeremy, if I did residential out of a van, I’d use the 360 because it’s light and does a great job. Now I use the rx20 with brush, because I do commercial and have a trailer
with a ramp.... $1k is not bad for a good rx I’d buy it.

There are a lot of old Rx 20's sitting around, mainly because they were so heavy. I sold one recently, I think I got $800 for it. There's is another one for sale locally for $500. Been for sale for about a year. Don't pay too much unless its pristine.

 

[Andy]

Because so many installs are not stretched properly the RX20 really moves the carpet around. The Rotovac being lighter will do it but not as much. Both can really work the nap up. I have not had much success using a rotary on CGD it left streaks from the nap being pushed down one way and raised up on the other side. The spinner wands work great on CGD not so much on residential unless you are doing an open room.