New tools

[crack filler]

Hiya after nearly 30years hand jointing I'm thinking of getting a few boxes. Just a simple question really considering my work is mostly housing 8ft high and I'm only getting the bare minimum at the moment what size handle do you guys use mostly. Also only a shortass 5'8"

[TonyM]

There is only one handle to get and that is the Northstar adjustable one Steve. £200 well spent.

[big g]

Hiya after nearly 30years hand jointing I'm thinking of getting a few boxes. Just a simple question really considering my work is mostly housing 8ft high and I'm only getting the bare minimum at the moment what size handle do you guys use mostly. Also only a shortass 5'8"

hi crack filler,prob better getting an extentable,had a couple of apprentices who were your height and they had probs using my 42 inch handle,its all house work i do,and they had probs getting pressure at the top of the joint,wont take you long to get into the swing of it but an extendable will be easier and quicker for you.

[Brian S]

About time Steve, you won't regret it.
As Tony and Big G have said get the Adjustable handle

[crack filler]

Thanks for the advice guys extendable it is then, makes sense really. Thought it was about time to come over to the Dark side

[belmoreboy]

There is only one handle to get and that is the Northstar adjustable one Steve. £200 well spent.

You wont find a Northstar handle anywhere nowadays (they went pop about 18 months ago!) next best thing is probably the tapetech or columbia ext handles

here: http://www.belmoretools.co.uk/acatal...ox_Handle.html

and here: http://www.belmoretools.co.uk/acatal...x_Handles.html

[E.K Taper]

Crackfiller, I use the 34" handle it is ideal for 8ft ceilings. Had the 42" before that and it was good too but a nightmare when doing the staircase walls (too big!) Had a shot of the northstar adjustable handle once but didnt really like it cos I seemed to be activating the adjustable bit when I didnt want to lol
Good luck, and WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE

[mcfc]

Crackfiller, I use the 34" handle it is ideal for 8ft ceilings. Had the 42" before that and it was good too but a nightmare when doing the staircase walls (too big!) Had a shot of the northstar adjustable handle once but didnt really like it cos I seemed to be activating the adjustable bit when I didnt want to lol
Good luck, and WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE

I have a northstar and a columbia ext handles, both very good columbia just better allround northstar better built

[DMS]

northstar is gone, unfortunately, the columbia handle is functional. For 8' ceilings 36" handle is ideal

[crack filler]

thanks everyone for your replies gone for a 34" just to start off and see how I get cope on the DARK SIDE lol

[Brian S]

Have fun Steve, and stick with it,

[big g]

hi crackfiller,you will pick it up in no time,what boxes and pump did you go for.

[crack filler]

hi crackfiller,you will pick it up in no time,what boxes and pump did you go for.

Hiya Big G just got some cheapies a 10 and a 12 pump and handle Goldblatt £450 delivered inc import tax. I know they ae not the best and should of waited till I could afford tapetech or columbia but cant justify paying out a grand at the moment not on something I might not get on with.

[big g]

Hiya Big G just got some cheapies a 10 and a 12 pump and handle Goldblatt £450 delivered inc import tax. I know they ae not the best and should of waited till I could afford tapetech or columbia but cant justify paying out a grand at the moment not on something I might not get on with.

hi crackfiller,good luck and hope it works for you,but if you find your having problems with them dont automatically think its you and that all boxes are shite and throw them,i think goldblatt are put together different,come on here and have a word with belmoreboy im sure he could give you good advice on getting the best out of them,good luck bud.

[belmoreboy]

hi crackfiller,good luck and hope it works for you,but if you find your having problems with them dont automatically think its you and that all boxes are shite and throw them,i think goldblatt are put together different,come on here and have a word with belmoreboy im sure he could give you good advice on getting the best out of them,good luck bud.

Hi Crack

The Goldblatt boxes are ok - just be aware that the hinge on thebox is plastic, andas so needs to be kept very clean and greased to allow it to move freely.

The biggest problem with these boxes is just that, with more expensive boxes they use more expensive parts (stainless and brass) compound doesnt seem to dry the same on these parts as it does on the plastic bits used on Goldblatt box.

Easy to work on these boxes though, very straightforward design and im sure after a couple of attempts you will be able to strip one dwn and build up again with your eyes closed!

The Goldblatt pumps is fime - abvioulsy a bt heavier than its rivals but eseentially a pupmp is a pump (unless you have the new bazooka pump - much bigger)

If you need any advice or parts - give me a shout

[crack filler]

thanks Belmore appreciate the advice, pretty sure I will get on with them and be looking to you for an upgrade soon.

[Brian S]

How you getting on with the machines Steve?

[crack filler]

Hiya Brian, to be honest I have'nt had a good run on them yet. I did a couple of flats and a lovely long corridor which worked quite well, bit of a learning curve on how to clean them adjusting them so a lot of mucking about and to tell you the truth bloody hard work at first. But since then had some time off at easter and then did two 3 storey stairwells all off scaffold so did'nt bother as it was hard with a trowel let alone a box. And tomorrow doing 150m for your mate Dave (thanks) so probably wo'nt bother there, but bit more of a run from next week so hope to give them a better go.

[Brian S]

Keep at mate, it took me a while, and a few mistakes, I'm the same not enthused with boxing off scaffolds