Variable fan nozzle for flat work?
- Thread starter Jared
- Start date
outdoorprowash
Member
We don't use the word "flat work" anymore. We call it "concrete" now. Did you know that you can use a smaller orifice in your x-jet.
Russ Johnson
Equipment Expert
If you're currently using 045 nozzles, you're getting exactly half of the 8 gpm. The full flow requires a #09 nozzle. PA makes a decent vari-nozzle, but the max orifice size is #08, so you won't get full flow. They do come with 045 orifices if you're using a 2 gun setup.
Pat Norman
New member
I love the PA Vari-Fan Nozzle for washing houses I put it on a two foot wand I can easily reach to adjust the fan. It really is a great tool and I consider my favorite nozzle for washing siding. However I mostly use it only on the "Low Pressure" mode and only with cold water. I found that hot water kills 'em real quick, there is an internal "o" ring that just can't handle the heat. Also to me the mechanism to fan is not ideal for concrete. I much prefer a 4 nozzle holder like a Jrod or Quad banger with one soap nozzle and the correct orifice for your machine with a 15*, 25* and 40* tip to get the maximum flow and pressure potential for your machine. The cutting action of a 15* tip on gum would be better than the Vari-fan.
Pat Norman
New member
Russ wonder why PA doesn't offer a nozzle for a 8.5, 9 or 10? I always bore out mine a little as soon as I get a new one. Makes a great soap gun and I can shoot soap almost as far as an 0040. I was first told my PA's were not holding up because I was using too big a pump, but as long as I don't use heat they last me a long time if I open the orifice up a bit.
If I run just a single gun with the 045 tips am I doing any extra wear on anything? I hardly ever have anyone shooting with me but those are the tips I have on the truck. With replacing the o rings would that variable nozzle work fine for flat work? I have to replace o rigs now anyways.What does PA stand for??
Christopher
Moderator
Read Russ J.'s post again and again and again.
You are only getting 1/2 of your flow so you are being slowed down a lot, think of staying in 1st or 2nd gear when you have a 4 or 5speed.
Bypassing that much water you are prematurely wearing out your unloader unless you have the cool blue or green spring special unloaders that are meant to bypass a lot.
Replacing o rings is just part of business, keep a lot on hand.
Lots of vendors have 2, 3 or 4 way nozzle holders that you can thread your nozzles into so you just change out whatever nozzle you want whenever you want, they are nice and I use them all the time.
Order some of the 1509 and 2509 nozzles from Russ J. and see if he sells the nozzle holder that holds some of them so you don't lose them.
You will work a lot faster with the right nozzles and life will be a lot better.
You are only getting 1/2 of your flow so you are being slowed down a lot, think of staying in 1st or 2nd gear when you have a 4 or 5speed.
Bypassing that much water you are prematurely wearing out your unloader unless you have the cool blue or green spring special unloaders that are meant to bypass a lot.
Replacing o rings is just part of business, keep a lot on hand.
Lots of vendors have 2, 3 or 4 way nozzle holders that you can thread your nozzles into so you just change out whatever nozzle you want whenever you want, they are nice and I use them all the time.
Order some of the 1509 and 2509 nozzles from Russ J. and see if he sells the nozzle holder that holds some of them so you don't lose them.
You will work a lot faster with the right nozzles and life will be a lot better.
Russ Johnson
Equipment Expert
Could be an engineering thing. The orifice may have to have a certain thickness of outside wall, and a larger orifice may make it too thin. Just a guess though. I wonder what nozzle equivalent you get with no orifice...hmmmm....
Some 8 gpm machines are set up for 2 gun operation, others are not...what brand of machine do you have?
If you only need 2 spray patterns, you can get a rollover nozzle holder. You can switch patterns simply by tilting the gun.
http://www.pa-etl.it/en/generale/famiglia/id/123.html
For more nozzles, you can get a 4 way nozzle holder.
PA is an Italian manufacturer of pressure washer accessories.
http://www.pa-etl.it/en/generale/famiglia/id/306.html
Pat Norman
New member
The O ring that goes out in the PA nozzle , I've never had any luck replacing it. Can never seem to find the proper size and then the nozzle either won't slide back and forth or it slide too easy and won't stay in hi pressure mode. The vari fan nozzle is a great tool but it is not the best for cleaning concrete. Get some quick connect sockets on your wand and use the proper nozzle that will give you full flow. If you had an 8 cylinder car why cut off 4 cylinders. GPM is your best friend.
Also the vari/fan nozzle doesn't take kindly to being disassembled very often, it will tear up where the pin goes in.
Also the vari/fan nozzle doesn't take kindly to being disassembled very often, it will tear up where the pin goes in.
Paul Kassander
New member
The PA nozzles are good I have been using them for years but I have always had problems getting them to last on trapped pressure setups. The big spike in pressure when you pull the trigger will blow out the oring. I would look at a fixed nozzle the 5 and 15 degree ones work well on the gum.
Great help. I'll shift to 6 gpm so I don't burn the unloader and skip the PA nozzle. I like the idea of having the tips fixed like with the soft wash system. I am holding back on 8 gpm tips because of the water volume making a mess with all the wood chips around the side walks we do. We do a lot of restaurants and the landscaping can get blown around pretty easily. Thanks for the help