What type of frame is the best? Aluminum or stainless steal?

R

RockoT

New member
2 questions:

What frame is the best all weather frame that will take abuse and not rust?

Bare stainless steel frame, aluminum, or powdercoated either one? What are the advantages or disadvantages of each?


Question #2:

What type of hose connections are best for longest life:

Brass, Stainless Steel, Brass w/ Stainless Steel Sleeve, or plated steel? What are the advantages or disadvantages of each?


Thanks for your responces.
 
Rocko T,

I think stainless is a good choice if you can afford it. I can't. Stainless can rust though!

Aluminun oxidizes easily, and must be protected periodicly. It can also be degraded by sodium hydroxide, accids, bleach ect.

Powder coating is also another option. Durable

Epoxy paint is also durable.

Regardles of what finish mateial you choose, they will receive damage in every day use.

They may reqire painting, waxing, or polishing as on going maintenace.

Hose fittings, We use about 98% stailess and about 2% brass.

All s.s. fitting are not created equal. Purchased some from espec at a great price.
Had problems with some of the couplers leaking. Turns out the Chineese ball bearings are a litle soft. I just purchase new chrome plated balls and rebuild them when needed. I would purchase them again even though I am aware of this problem.

Anyway we swithched to s.s. because the turbo nozzle filters repeatedly clogged.

I found that the cadium plated hose plugs rust. This flakes of and problems start.

There are some good brass fitting on the market, made by A.G, Adams and Breeco. We have been using some of these for eight years now.

We always spray the plugs and couplers on all the hoses with high grade silicone oil after a job. Same goes for the machines.

I beleive this helps aid in lock up and prevents damage to the o-ring during that time.
 
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I guess that is pretty good to hear.
I had a regular steel frame that was powdercoated and it was pretty good but did rust in some places.

The new machine I want to get is bare Stainless Steel frame.
I was very undescided on if that was good because I own two wants extensions, both are stainless steel and one rusted really bad and the other never got a spec of rust on it. I guess there are different grades of stainless steel though.

Well if I get this stainless stell framed machine, should I paint it or just coat it with some oil or protectant?
 
Rocko T,
I would think just regular polishing should be fine. A light oiling would also work.

It won't rusy like plate steel but you may see it gradualy coming on if not protected.

Yes there are many grades of s.s. both magnetic and non magnetic.

They very buy the metals use in them.

If you go to McMaster-Carrs web site you can learn about the differant types.

www.mcmaster-carr.com

There is a whole lot of other neat stuff in their catologs also.
 
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http://www.merrillfoxenterprises.com/cold.html
You can go here and scroll all the way down to the very last machine.
or
here is a link to the machine but without the specs.
http://www.merrillfoxenterprises.com/hwebs.html
I'ts the first one on that link model# 4018HWEBSGEN 3500PSI@5.6GPM for $2,175.00

I have talked with them on the phone and they said that this pic was the model from last year, this years is the same except it has stainless steel frame instead of powdercoated. I'm not ready to get this machine just yet though. I'm looking at about a month or two. EXTREME, But I was going to PM you before I did purchase it from them.
 
Left click on the picture the specs will pop right up.

I like the 3500 psi 5.6 gpm@$2175. More psi than you should ever need.

A couple of minor things

How big is the fuel tank? I would prefer 7-10 gallons

An EZ start valve is not needed on electric start.

I would also like the pull start in addition to the electric start.
Even though Honda engines are popular not all parts are stocked because of cost. Can you afford not to work?


The incoming water filter is cheesey and looks like the kind with a screen on a rubber washer.

How big is the charging circuit for the battery? If it is 15 amp it could also power a burner latter. 20 amp would be even better.

Would also like a pressure releif valve.


Jusy my two cents worth!
 
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I talked to them on the phone.
It does have the pull cord as a back up.
It has a 5.5-6 Gal fuel tank he wasnt sure.
I thought that the EZ start valve was in the unloader and was so that when you squeeze the trigger it takes about 1-2 seconds to get to full power. ?? am I wrong?
Im not sure about the charging circuit on the battery though.
And It does have a pressure releif valve.


I have a 3600psi 4GPM now
Im happy with the psi, If i want less I can just hold the wand farther away. I needed more GPM though. I still dont know if 5.6 is enough.
But I guess it will be somewhat better than having only 4
 
The only thing that I WAS concerned about was how easy those 4 wheeled machines were to push and to steer. None or the wheels move so it might be hard to get through tight turns. I guess you'd have to left the rear 2 wheels up to turn it any.
 
I removed my ez start valve from any machine I have ever owned. I am a big fan of having less equipment to go wrong. That is why I am a fan of 12v over 120v machines. If you always start your rig with the gun or ball valve open, you don't need an ez start valve.
 
Rocko:

There are two types of unloader....Flow types, like what you're describing, that take a second or so to build to full pressure, and pressure type unloaders that give you full pressure the moment you open the gun. I prefer the flow type, once you get used to not having full power instantly.

Not sure if it was posted here or on another board, but someone has pointed out that 5.6 gpm is 40% more water than the 4gpm. It doesn't sound like much when you're comparing 4 to 5.6, but 40% is quite a bit more. It does make a lot of difference. I've heard from folks who have used higher gpm (7-8+) that they're much harder to control, and much more tiring to use. That's a lot more back pressure on the wand. The only thing I can think that I'd like more gpm for is surface cleaning, since there's no increased work for the operator.
 
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