Harebrained Inventor Me...

Posted by JossAmbrose 11 years, 6 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 11 years, 6 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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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 6 months ago
    email me privately, and we'll let you know if it is patentable, inventor. good luck! better to license the process and sit at home on the Gulch then to be the only one who uses it. not efficient in the game of tech
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    • Posted by 11 years, 6 months ago
      Haha, that's very good of you but my system is really quite primitive - at least for now. It's a prototype & a functional cheap way for me to carry out an expensive business. I've had the thing running on a couple of 12v drill batteries but it needs something a bit beefier. I have more powerful batteries but I'm awaiting delivery of a charger unit. I'll let you know how it performs when I've got them rigged up & if I develop it further I'll let you know too. I'm always looking to modify & improve, & when it's been tried & tested, if it is patentable, I'd be very interested.
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  • Posted by 11 years, 6 months ago
    Right, see ya folks, I'm off to the studio to make tunes. ;]
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    • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 6 months ago
      Make any good tunes today?
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      • Posted by 11 years, 6 months ago
        Been working on a really sleazy grungy tune off & on for the past week. It was a right mess until this evening. Starting to take shape now. I'll post a link when it's on line.

        Got three or four tunes I need to finish off. I just don't have the time right now.
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        • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 6 months ago
          Why is time so flippin' fleeting? Every day is shorter than the last and you cannot convince me otherwise. Post the sleazy grungy tune when it's clean and polished. (ha). (There's a sentence I never expected to utter.)
          I have a question for you? What's the gun situation in the U.K. I've heard a few things...just wonder how it adds up.
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          • Posted by 11 years, 6 months ago
            Well guns are non-existent to the average person in the UK - seeing as it isn't legal to carry one. Some police carry guns but that's pretty rare.

            There's plenty of gun crime in the UK. Shootings are not uncommon in a town (Bognor Regis - of all places) just six miles from where I live.

            Bognor has a very high concentration of Eastern European immigrants. It's practically a foreign country. I've heard whispers of a Polish mafia running the drug scene in the town. Someone I know landed up visiting a house occupied by Polish immigrants. There were guns everywhere apparently. He got out pretty quick. They're not all bad but the bad ones won't think twice about shooting you if you're 'on their patch' so to speak. There have been several murders & vicious rapes in Bognor, carried out by immigrants.Of course you never hear about it in the media & the police hush it up because they know damned well there would be rioting. None of us Brits got a vote on immigration & whereas I'm no racist, it's not our responsibility to take care of folk from every other country in Europe. It makes me sick & as usual we've got the Lefty Labour Party to thank for it.
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            • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 6 months ago
              Next question...why are there no guns?
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              • Posted by 11 years, 6 months ago
                Handguns have been banned in Britain since the Dunblane school massacre in 1996 but seeing as nobody owns guns anyway, banning them was a pretty pointless exercise. It's permissible to own many other kinds of gun as long as you have a license... you're just not allowed to use them except at a shooting range or on private land, for sport. If anyone (except the police) used a gun (or any other weapon for that matter) in self defence, rest assured they'd end up in jail because the attacker would throw the Human Rights Act at them & of course, the Human Rights Act is the fucking gospel. If the criminal was killed, the defendant would go down for manslaughter at least. So gun ownership is pretty pointless really. That's like 'it's okay to buy cake but you're not allowed to eat it'.

                I have to be honest & say owning a gun is not something I've really thought about, for the simple reason that I'm not that interested in owning one. There's no major necessity for it in the UK. Despite the state of British & EU politics, things really aren't 'that' bad yet. Rest assured if that changes, it would be easy enough to procure a gun on the black market - or if you're resourceful enough, build your own.
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                • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 6 months ago
                  I actually knew they were confiscated a while back and I'm amazed that people gave them up voluntarily. I cannot wrap my head around that whatsoever. So basically criminals are running the show (both in gov and in the general population)..criminals will always have guns...so you're at their mercy...what b.s. No one upon no one upon no one has the right to tell you that you do not have the right to defend your own life or your families OR your property EVER. Not to mention this is a recipe for all kind of other gov atrocities on its people (that have happened over and over again in history..first you confiscate so they have no means to fight back and then you round them up and ship them off to god knows where). This is one of the topics I touched on with my new British friend last week. Remember when I said to you that I thought the UK was ahead of us on the path to socialism and you said you thought we were more or less even? Wrong...The UK is ahead of us. Some how you have become conditioned to view guns as being "unnecessary" instead of seeing them as a means to protect YOUR right to life. This whole topic makes me sad. If you defend your life and kill an intruder you'll go to jail. Holy hell! THAT is a sick way of thinking...and they got the whole country to go along with it too...amazing. AMAZING! When things DO get "that bad" what will you do then... whittle down a broomstick handle to a point? Don't take this the wrong way...I'm really just trying to have a discussion so I can understand how this stuff happens and how the people are "okay" with it because things aren't that bad "yet"...it's the "yet" that gets me. I think the Jews probably said that at some point too.
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                  • Posted by 11 years, 6 months ago
                    I see your point. For me, it's as simple as, I've never owned a gun, my parents never owned guns, nor my grandparents. I'm still alive, what's the point in getting one? It's really never entered my head & I'm sure the same is the case for most people. And fortunately, I've not run into any hardened criminals - or at least not been threatened by any.

                    The majority of GB is pretty peaceful. Sure, people get busted for growing cannabis or selling dodgy cars but for the most part, that's as bad as 'street crime' gets.

                    As for things getting 'that' bad - ie excessive government 'intervention' to the point of being oppressive, the British people will have serious problems fighting back. We as a nation have been fragmented by all the immigration. Anyone caught complaining about it gets dubbed a racist by the 'progressives'. Of course most of the immigrants have come here from failing Communist countries & love all the freebies our generous government give them. Despite living here & having the right to vote, I can't see them lifting a finger to help us, should all hell break loose - least of all the Muslims.

                    So at this point I suppose I'll have to accept the possibility that the UK is in a worse position than the US, although I've heard so many negative things about Obummer & his predecessors that I assumed things were THAT BAD for you guys, despite your constitutional right to bear arms.

                    Ps. Should I need to defend mine & my family's right to life, I'll be a bit more resourceful than whittling down a broom handle. I'm a small time inventor remember. :)
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                    • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 6 months ago
                      How fast can you invent a weapon...threats are usually imminent and the preparation for such a threat needs to take place PRIOR to the threat. An immediate threat is just that..IMMEDIATE. (Same goes for your idea that if you need a gun you could easily get one from the black market...really? At the time you saw real danger there would be NO time, and any available guns would already be snatched up by anyone who may have saw it coming sooner than you.) You're government has taken the "worry" out of life it sounds. And it sounds like it's working nicely. Sadly most people have the mind set of "well it hasn't happened yet. No ones ever threatened me before so what do I have to worry about?" And then AFTER they've been threatened they completely change their tune and all of a sudden they're a big fan of having a means to defend themselves (if they're still alive)... Here's how I see it... if you do not see the need to have means to defend yourself when that moment arrives in which your life IS threatened then you have just CHOSEN to be a victim. But...that's just me. (Well...it's not JUST me really, it's the 2nd Amendment, but you get my point... I hope.)
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                      • Posted by 11 years, 6 months ago
                        Of course I do & it's certainly food for thought. I've never really looked at things as you've described & you make a very good point. I think the majority of Brits have a pretty passive attitude (no rights) to life & I suppose I'm just as guilty. I was born into it. Taking the worry out of life is exactly what our government are aiming to do, while at the same time instilling fear into everyone.

                        What fascinates me is the current 'zombie apocalypse' trend in cinemas & gaming. Being a cynic & a bit of a conspiracy theorist, I can't help but question whether it's a Socialist plot to desensitise the public to social unrest - chaos & rioting in the streets. (Stay indoors, do nothing. It's okay, the government will protect you from these mindless thugs). The 'mindless thugs' of course being those who HAVE minds & are trying to defend their rights to life. Just a theory.
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                        • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 6 months ago
                          OR you could look at the zombie apocalypse as being a way to inform the young populace that they may have to defend their life some day...and the only equalizer is a weapon...a loaded one...at the ready at ALL times. Fighting for your life has always been a possibility (and darned likely in many time periods) on this planet... the current generation is numb to this idea...it's unfathomable (except for video gamers who are not yet the current generation) so they don't see the need for such preparations when there is no "need" for it, because they've been conditioned to think their needs and worries are somebody elses responsibility to take care of. No fear of going hungry (tax payers will feed them cuz they're forced to), no fear of being homeless (check! tax payers will fund that too) it goes on and on and on. NO WORRIES! And WE allowed it to happen as this conditioning starts in elementary school. And if he gets his way it will start in mandatory preschool soon. (Check! tax payers will fund that crap too....where does it end?? The zombie apocalypse maybe?)
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                          • Posted by 11 years, 6 months ago
                            Also true. A lot of adult & kids' films are geared around extreme violence & a few heroes outside of the law defending themselves against whatever villain, & the same's been the case for decades. Look at Transformers or Spider Man - both of which I thought were really well done, despite them both leaning towards altruism. That's where governments have got us pinned down, the so called greater good. So they get us all to submit our wills to some collective psyche which doesn't really exist except in individual minds, & relinquish any means of individual effectiveness.

                            There are lawyers in the UK we call Ambulance Chasers (perhaps you have them too). If I witnessed a car crash & rushed in & managed to save someone's life while not being qualified to do so, I would run the risk of being prosecuted because my actions 'may' result in someone being permanently disabled. If there's any way to pass the buck (avoid responsibility) in this country, it'll happen. The result? We're all sheep living in fear, with no rights or ability to take action, whatsoever. It's a really shitty way to live, which is why when I'm not working, or at the studio, I'm pretty much a hermit. I have as little to do with the outside world as possible because it will shit on me somehow. I do what is necessary to keep the business going & pay the utilities, & have few friends. I've lost several friends because they turned out to be not so good guys with no sense of personal responsibility (oh the state will pick up the tab if I fuck up). I've been there too & realised how unhealthy it is & now I'm trying to better my circumstances despite (thanks to the state) it being completely unnecessary to do so. I'm doing it for me & nobody else, & it's hard. Why bother working if you can get more money by claiming benefits?

                            Prime Minister David Cameron is an idiot but credit where it's due. The Tory government are trying to do away with the benefit culture & they're suffering a serious backlash from the moochers as a result. Hatred for the Tories & Capitalism is broadcast all over Facebook & Twitter, & is further propagated by a legion of websites & lobby groups like Change.org - & look at all the crass street parties & celebrations after Maggie Thatcher's death. It's vile! The Tories won't get many votes in the next election & the fact that UKIP have suggested a coalition with the Tories (it's the only chance they have), has probably dashed all chances of them getting in too. I expect we're doomed to suffer 'Red Ed' Miliband's Labour government & frankly I'm dreading what the future holds. A return to union power & further 'entitlements' at the tax payers expense I'm sure. What the hell is anyone with a sense of life supposed to do? Emigrate perhaps, but where? Nowhere in Europe, that's for definite.

                            Off to the studio again - while I'm still at liberty to do so.
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 11 years, 6 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 11 years, 6 months ago
      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, 6 months ago
        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 11 years, 6 months ago
          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, 6 months ago
            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 $ rockymountainpirate 11 years, 6 months ago
                In this context it is: wildland fire. Before you arrive in fire camp you're supposed to have vehicles washed to make sure you aren't bringing in seeds from plants not in that area. When demobed you do the same so you don't take seeds from that area to another.

                Of course the best use of weed washing would start at the WH and then on to the fools on the hill.
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