Harebrained Inventor Me...

Posted by JossAmbrose 11 years, 11 months ago to The Gulch: General
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Window cleaning. Don't knock it.

I started my round from scratch & I can make more money per hour than the average joe in any other job in my part of the world.

I'm very happy to say I've almost completed building a 'pure water fed pole' WFP window cleaning system (eliminating the need for ladders so saving lots of time). I still need to purchase RO/DI filters to purify the water itself but by the time I've bought what is necessary to complete the kit, I'll have a working system which has cost me around £200 to build, rather than buying a ready made system which can cost up to £7000.

I have used:

1 x 15L backpack style crop sprayer (This comes with a hand pump which I've converted to electric) £22.00
1 x high torque 12V motor (to power the hand pump at 30 revolutions per minute) £12.00
1 x 12V caravan pump (to act as a slave pump) £free
10 metre length of 8mm bore clear plastic tubing £7.95
1 x telescopic extention pole £15.00ish
1 x soft bristled broom (reinforced & attached to end of extention pole) £2.95ish

I'm buying a six stage reverse osmosis de-ionising unit for £135.
I have adequate batteries left over from a previous harebrained scheme.

Once I'm up & running, the entire system should pay for itself in under two days.

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  • Posted by JossAmbrose 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Oh I see. Didn't realise the 'grubment' was involved. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole either.
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm not modest. I'm retired. Not that I had planned to, but it happened. I'm trying to live below my means and if that requires taking a job I'm fine with that. I haven't really found a business I'm currently passionate about, and as far as weed washing, this years contracts are closed (don't remember if these are yearly or every 3 years), and since they are government contracts I won't proceed under this administration.
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  • Posted by JossAmbrose 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It seems such a shame to just take a job if you've got a creative mind. I know that's what the Gulch is about but I'd say if you can start a business, do so. If you're resourceful, there'll be very few business overheads to worry about. Reputation is key. If the US is anything like the UK (& I think it is), there will be a huge gap in the market for a truly professional service. Sure it'll take a year before you start to get noticed but get noticed you will - if you're better than the rest. That's why I have customers.

    Honestly, I find my modesty quite remarkable. :)
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That's what I was thinking too. I missed the contract date this season because although I have a burning desire to start another business, I won't in the current environment. If I move I'll probably just get a job as a shop girl in a flower store or something of the sort.
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  • Posted by JossAmbrose 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Well I'd consider going down the purified water route for that too. Pure water is unnatural - it's like a vacuum so it draws all impurities (minerals etc) into itself, then runs off leaving no residue.
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 11 years, 11 months ago
    A thinking man. Very rare indeed. I have been thinking about how to make a 'good' weed washing system. The last one I used was very proud of the fact they recycled their water. It was the color and consistency of mud. I'm sure I had seeds after the wash that were never there before. It was even worse on the trucks. Even the Hotsee had trouble getting it off.
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  • Posted by JossAmbrose 11 years, 11 months ago
    Of course the £7000 systems have to be professionally installed in a van. I think the cheapest system on the market still costs close to £1000 but then you have to rely on the customer having an outdoor tap.

    I can easily transport 100L of pre treated water in my van/people carrier. My system will be mounted on a trolley. I'm sure it will need a bit of fine tuning but I love being inventive. :)
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