Thread: What's best wand for a portable carpet cleaning extractor??

I was wondering with so many wands out there is there a "best" wand for portables? In other words how many jets, and what is the minimum and maximum jet size needed? What is the minimum and maximum flow that can be used on portables?

This being said, is there an ideal wand available for portable carpet cleaning extractors?

IMO, yes there is if we are talking the usual 2 vacuum extractor. These machines work just fine with the normal 1.5" tubed double bend, 2 jet wand made from S. Steel. There is really no need to get fancier than this unless you use your machine alot or have lots of money to spare.Good wands of this description are available for $100 or less. If you want to get a better wand(same 1.5" tubed) you could pick up one of the newer titanium wands out this month.You will spend more but in most cases be getting a 20 year wand, so if you expect to be in business for more than a few years these can be great choices to. I would avoid the plastic wands. They cost more and don't last as long and don't offer the value to the cleaner as the other wands do IMO.

Although this topic can be debated back and forth in terms of what the Operators base unit may or may not provide regarding specific performance levels, I believe the real answer is this:

It all depends upon what --The Operator"--prefers period.

What does he/she feel does the job and what floor tool is more convient, etc....

That's probably the bottom line from our 38 years of experience(s) with thousands of customers &/0r Operators.

The very best;
Ed Valentine
"Smart-Designed" componentry

I realize that the employee or operator makes the difference. I was leaning towards the ideal "flow".

What is the maximum total flow for most portables?

Originally Posted by Rob Allen

I realize that the employee or operator makes the difference. I was leaning towards the ideal "flow".

What is the maximum total flow for most portables?

Most portables out there are series connected.That means the flow of 1 motor goes into another motor. The maximum cfm this gets you is 100 cfm in open flow with no hose or wand attached to the machine, and 40 cfms or less when the wand is on the floor working. I actually tested a 2 vacuum ninja a few years back(2- 2 stage vac) that only measured 28 cfm when working.

The fast way to figure out cfm from portables working is to add 40 cfm for every vac motor in parallel. It will get you pretty close over 99% of the time.

Thank you Ken. That is nice to know too. However I was asking about solution flow. Max and minimum.

Originally Posted by Rob Allen

Thank you Ken. That is nice to know too. However I was asking about solution flow. Max and minimum.

Ok Rob, I will address that too. Most 2 vac portables(2 - 2 stage) will have their solution flows in the range of .5 to .75 gpm. Their vacuum power is not really strong enough to go much more than this. The new stronger 2 and 3 vac(3 Stage)machines can handle much more. For them you want to set up your flow for around 1.5 gpm. You get that by having a trigger pressure of 300 psi and using a 6 openning or larger on your jets. This is what produces the best results in terms of flow IMO.

I liked a lot the westpak 0530 but the problem the vacumm head was curved, no proper seal. otherwise, that will be my first option overall.
the second wand i like the cmp, but the teflon glide i don't like it that much, easier to push, heck yeah?

Originally Posted by locko-fabara

I liked a lot the westpak 0530 but the problem the vacumm head was curved, no proper seal. otherwise, that will be my first option overall.
the second wand i like the cmp, but the teflon glide i don't like it that much, easier to push, heck yeah?

Locko;

Did you receive a holed or slotted glide with your CMP wand?

Good general answers above. However,

Let me clairify what I stated above in my comment.

Although the origional question maybe looking for a specific answer, it has been my experience ( being a former contract cleaner and now a manufacturer of HWE), that this particular question does not really have a "cookie-cutter" answer.

Why?

Well, there are many variables involved such as how "a particular machine" is designed (and they are all different), what pump & type, drive motor (hp/rpm's), size /number of valves; hoses; regulators; wand jets/number; etc...

I believe (and hope) that a few select manufacturers match certain designed wands with the performance level of their equipment. This holds true for either portable or TM, btw. If, however, the Operator messes with or changes certain key elements, he may also cause a variable in results; either for the better, or for the worst.

Not every size shoe; hammer; will fit or be desired by everyone, and therefore, there is not one better wand----for all-----machines either.

I did not mean to be difficult; however, the truth is, there is not a cookie cutter answer other than Operator preference. And, that preference can be important if (he/she) believes it will make the job a little easier!

The very best;
"Name held by request" (!!!)

Originally Posted by Ken Harris

Locko;

Did you receive a holed or slotted glide with your CMP wand?

Ken, I am pretty sure I told you, I got the holed glide from greenglides, and I THINK the holes a little separated.

I think we are talking about design, durability, etc etc.
for example, I think the SS solution tube is better than a solution hose. I think angled jets are better, soft touch valve is also important, how light it can be.

Originally Posted by locko-fabara

Ken, I am pretty sure I told you, I got the holed glide from greenglides, and I THINK the holes a little separated.

Locko;

Many find the holes on the GG glide too small to do any proper cleaning. I can send you a Superslide Slotted glide N/C if you like. It would probably work better for you. You then would ship the GG glide back to me by Postal delivery. Would you like to try that?

Hey Ken That sounds like a very generous offer. Jump on that locko!!

Rob I am not wand or jet expert; But I go for a wand that is middle ground. High enough to harness my pumps pressure capability but also utilize the pumps h2o flow capability. Also I look for jet patterns that can cover the entire width of the wand to carpet contact point. So far the Samco 2 jet wand that steambrite sent me at the recommendation of Ken Ware has worked out fine for me. However when I am clean a precrubbed trashed apartment carpet I prefer my 4 jet Westpak 1.5 pipe wand. BTW I prefer solution hose over hard line due to durability.

So Ed has a point; But I do wish I had the resources to test tiscriteria you are asking for. The optimum pressure and flow is what I see your after. I bet Duane Oxley should chime in on this one. From his post in the past on this subject he seemed way more in depth with specs and flow .

Originally Posted by Ken Harris

Locko;

Many find the holes on the GG glide too small to do any proper cleaning. I can send you a Superslide Slotted glide N/C if you like. It would probably work better for you. You then would ship the GG glide back to me by Postal delivery. Would you like to try that?

I will try it of course. but you need to remember the cmp that you sold me was the 12 inches 2 jets. thanks

Originally Posted by locko-fabara

I will try it of course. but you need to remember the cmp that you sold me was the 12 inches 2 jets. thanks

Okay Locko, I will get that sent out tomorrow for you.

Originally Posted by Rick Imby

...

I believe that a lot of people are using wands that are far from optimal for their situation.

The $100 or $200 wand that comes with most porties are the least expensive wand available. They may or may not be built to the specs that the porty designer had in mind. Sometimes they are an after thought on many machines and bought in volume and thrown in with the porty purchase.

Everyone worries about stages and amps and how many feet of vac hose when buying but a major factor is where the water hits the carpet.

The advent of the glide has put a lot more attention on wands.

I believe that it is really important that the jetting matches the pump.

...

Lets say a newbie gets a new basic setup and the wand was suppose to have "A" jets in it. Instead it comes with "D" jets. Who is ever going to know? Then he will think that everything is too wet because it is a porty...

Just My Opinion
Rick

Get the information and Pimp Your Wand...

These are exactly the points that led me to start this thread. So what are the different size pumps and what is the optimal jet sizing for them?