Stair Tool

Does anyone make a true 2 inch tube stair tool or is that the white whale?

I have several that have a 2 inch flare, but none with a true 2 inch tube and I really want one to get better recovery and dry times. Stairs are often the worst part of the house soil-wise and it can take a fair amount of flushing to win. I want a tool that handles that flushing without leaving things too wet.

Weight, maneuverability and ease of use have always out weighed vacuum recovery to me when cleaning PIA steps. That alone contributes more to improved drying times than larger diameter tube sizes. IMHO..........Captain Ahab

I can see that, a tool that is awkward doesn't cut it regardless of tube size. Still, I think a 30 inch straight tool with a 2 inch tube would work better than the thinner tube counter parts.

I might just find a budget 2 jetter for sale and cut it down.

I wont clean stairs without a 1.5 whip hose anyways so a 2in tube never really interested me.     Cleaning stairs without a whip hose is like using a wand without a glide

If you really want one Joe can make it, hell just cut down a full size wand. I was asking him about a 12in wide stair tool but it was going to cost too much.

I might have one, I used it once and it went straight to the garage, lol. I'll check if it's 2" or 1.75" flare.
It's a prochem style stair wand but it's not prochem though.

What didn't you like about it or does the garage feed on wands?

Like some guys are saying, 2" hoses are too stiff and bulky to use on stairs.
I'll take a picture later and post it here.

I only use the 2 inch hose for all the tools...no 1.5 inch leads at all these days. A lighter lead is nice, but I never found it necessary and meant another set of reducers to keep track of.

I've been using my crooked stair tool mostly, but that damn thing whistles so badly that I have to put ear muffs on to use it.

Maybe I should just go back to using an upholstery tool like the old days?

I used my upholstery tool until recently....I went with the Prochem model, the one with a stainless handle measuring roughly 24" long, 7" head and the 1 1/2" tube instead of the 2" I love it and it's mainly because I hate to bend so radically....When I stand with a slight bend I can use my weight to an advantage rather than sitting and plopping down each step using only my arms. <------(old guy)

Does that Prochem tool whistle at all? I really have to throw this "S"-bend tool in the trash before I go deaf.

No whistle at all....it's fairly loud though but you know its moving some air.

Rob, I think you would like it. Not sure about the two incher though....like the others, it's to much hose at the hand....so, only 1.5 for me. Just today I did a set of steps and was sure glad I had it because the carpet was waterfall over center of each step with nice finished hardwood on each side....rounded edges and just a detail situation....its nice for control.

Scott, it can't be prochem, as far as I know they don't make 1.5" tube stair wand, it must be prochem knock off ? Mine is also a prochem knock off but mine is exactly like Prochem, it uses the big 2" hose but I'm not 100% sure if it's a true 2" or 1.75" flare.
I didn't have time to check today, will do that tomorrow.

I still have my original Butler stair tool which was a very solid tool, but too short. I guess I could add some tubing onto it and convert it....will have to toy with that one as it was a pretty quiet tool.

http://www.jondon.com/prochem-stair-tool.html

That's the one that I am leaning towards, but it is still an 1.5 inch tool that flares to a 2 inch opening.  

Butler sells the same tool (re-branded) as their long stair tool, but I still have their short tool which is a single jet with a "T" handle and 1.5 inch tube.  If it was longer, I might consider using it again as it did a pretty good job and was very quiet.



If the long PC tool came as a true 2 inch tube, I would go with that.  I'm pretty sure Joe could build one like that, but I am surprised that one doesn't exist already.

I have been known to use my carpet wand on stairs if their is enough ceiling height, so awkward is not a big deal to me...recovery is.

I brag about the carpets being dry by the time I am loaded up and leaving.  Not only as a convenience for the customer, but so that I know if anything was missed or wicked back.  I do not tolerate call-backs and spending the extra time on dry strokes and using my airpaths to prevent them have always got me the results that I wanted..

The only weakness in that goal has always been the stairs.  They always ended up still wet when all else was dry to the touch.  It ticks me off every time, so if I can achieve the same dryness with a 2 inch tube tool, then I accept the awkwardness.

What do you mean flair Rob?? not sure I understand....I do like the stair tool though. I work the stairs until happy and when im done I always do a quick dry pass over the whole thing as I can easily miss a spot from awkward steps....I really dont like steps/stairs.

The top of the tube is ballooned out to fit the 2 inch hose....just like an exhaust pipe is done.

Maybe the PC tool would be okay. I love their Quad wand which is a 1.5 tube and it recovers well, not as good as my 2 inch titanium but respectable.

I am just really surprised their has not been a 2 inch tube tool for stairs with all the emphasis on recovery and vac numbers in the past 10 years. I guess I will have to be the first one then.

The one I am using mostly now is a replica of that prochem but 40inch long.     I love it.      $99 and is pretty much identical to the prochem.        Same specs welded stainless just 16in longer.    

I checked out the prochem one hanging in the jon don and it felt exactly the same.

You can stand up straight 4 steps down and clean without bending at all.

Where do I find that tool AC? Sounds like it is worth the $100 to find out if it will work for me.

joe has it, its a cal tools type thing not sure who makes it

have you ever tried larger jets on a stair tool? mine is just 3 flow and would be nice to have more flushing when the steps are dirty.

I do run 9502 jets on my stair tool and will often use the Quad wand with an 8-flow....it will clean up better, especially the trashed ones, but dry times are then the issue.

I guess I could chop up a wand and run smaller jets....maybe a 4-jetter with 015 jets?

Rob, if you want, I'll let my stair tool go for $ 50 plus shipping, it looks exactly like prochem stair tool, I've been really busy lately, I haven't gotten a chance to take a picture yet.

Sounds good Dp, I would go for that.

I spoke to Joe the other day and he told me that the 2 inch tubed tool that he tried in the past was known as the "bazooka" and that people complained that it was too heavy and too noisy.

Joe is also changing wand guys, so he does not have any more stair tools right now, so it sounds like you are my best bet Dp.