Water blaster recommendations

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mattwnz

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#154221 21-Oct-2014 16:32

I have a stihl semi commercial water blaster that is many years old, but it has suddenly stopped working. It has security screws so I can't take it apart. Although I have the security bits, the access holes are too narrow for the driver shaft. So I figured it would be better value to buy a new one, as to get it repaired would probably be close to a new one. I have found this one , a karcher . http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Karcher-K3-190-Water-Blaster-1800PSI.aspx?pid=366417 . Anyone know if they are any good, or have any recommendations?
Noticed that they are started calling them pressure cleaners in NZ, rather than waterblasters, which is what they call them in the US.

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#1159347 21-Oct-2014 16:36

we have owned and used are Karcher for years and it is still going great, never had any problems what so ever

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RunningMan

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#1159350 21-Oct-2014 16:38

The k3 series are a low end domestic one. Wouldn't be a patch on a commercial one. IME karcher are fine but I'd go for a heavier duty one than that for anything but occasional use

As you go up the range, you'll get increased pressure and water volume and also better motors. Often the low end ones can only be used for 15-20 mins before needing to rest for an hour to cool down which is no good if you have four hours of work to do

EDIT: fixing auto correct guesses

mattwnz

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#1159433 21-Oct-2014 18:26

RunningMan: The k3 series are a low end domestic one. Wouldn't be a patch on a commercial one. IME karcher are fine but I'd go for a heavier duty one than that for anything but occasional use

As you go up the range, you'll get increased pressure and water volume and also better motors. Often the low end ones can only be used for 15-20 mins before needing to rest for an hour to cool down which is no good if you have four hours of work to do

EDIT: fixing auto correct guesses

Thanks. That is a good point about them needing to rest. The stihl one I have didn't need to do this, so will check the models to make sure to get one that doesn't need that, as it would be quite annoying. Really only planning on doing it around home, so will only be used perhaps once a year, although it will need about 10 hours of work each time. It seems you have to go up into the $400+ range to go into the next range.

Fred99

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#1159480 21-Oct-2014 19:01

If you go to Bunnings etc, they probably have a security screwdriver with long shaft for a few dollars to solve the problem of getting in to the Stihl water blaster. That would be my first option.
Failing that, then I'd recommend to avoid the Karcher. I have one the same or similar, used for light duty stuff only (quite good for cleaning the decks on my boat etc). However it failed (pressure switch), and after pulling it apart - with great difficulty - it became apparent to me that they are not designed to be serviced. To get at the simple part, I needed to strip it right down, the whole job took many hours. It is still going - but I don't have high hopes that will be for long.
People I've spoken to suggest that Nilfisk is far better made brand, able to be serviced. Karcher appears to be a throw-away brand these days.

Kiwiuk

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#1159752 22-Oct-2014 09:20

Anyone know the reliability/quality of the Briggs & Stratton models sold at Bunnings?

Or if you have recommendations, I'm looking at spending up to $300, to be used for car washing, outside windows and walls, soffits etc.

gzt

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#1159754 22-Oct-2014 09:27

mattwnz: I have a stihl semi commercial water blaster that is many years old, but it has suddenly stopped working. It has security screws so I can't take it apart.

If it's a good machine get a quote for repair. Stihl have a very long part availability. Btw, which model?

Geo and there may be recommendations for a repair shop.

graemeh

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#1159817 22-Oct-2014 10:21

mattwnz:I have found this one , a karcher . http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Karcher-K3-190-Water-Blaster-1800PSI.aspx?pid=366417

It can only produce 6 litres/minute, I wouldn't touch it except to wash my gumboots.

toyonut

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#1159839 22-Oct-2014 10:53

I have heard you should avoid Karchers, they have a plastic pump body which is prone to splitting and it is unfixable after it goes.
The Nilfisk range is supposed to be pretty good with an alloy pump and internals:
http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Nilfisk-C120-6-6XPCAD-Water-Blaster-1740PSI.aspx?pid=346755#Cross

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

mdf

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#1159887 22-Oct-2014 11:48

We've got a Karcher K3.91. It's very much a home-use-only level of machine, but it seems to do the job fine. I've just finished washing the house and deck with it and it dealt with all that without trouble. I've had some niggles, particularly around the connectors, but it's still going fine after 5/6 years of occasional home use.

alasta

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#1159918 22-Oct-2014 12:04

I'm assuming these things require a continuous connection to the water supply, as opposed to having a water tank?

Washing my car is a real pain because I can't park it anywhere near a tap - I'm not sure what solutions are out there.

MileHighKiwi

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#1159927 22-Oct-2014 12:10

I prefer to hire a powerful commercial one from Hirepool once every couple of years as the one's from the likes of Mitre 10 etc are rubbish. Some friends spend days on end cleaning stuff like concrete with their cheap one's while the commercial puppy gets the job done to a hig standard in 1/4 the time.

mdf

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#1159939 22-Oct-2014 12:38

alasta: I'm assuming these things require a continuous connection to the water supply, as opposed to having a water tank?

Washing my car is a real pain because I can't park it anywhere near a tap - I'm not sure what solutions are out there.

All the home ones I've seen connect to a hose. There are some commercial ones with a tank, but it's a tank on a truck.

If it's just for washing a car, you could probably rig something up yourself. Water blasters use less water than a hose, so if you got a jerry can or similar with a hose connector you should be fine. At 6L a minute, you'd get 8 minutes+ full pressure spraying out of a 50L tank. At a guess, that would be heaps to wash a car. You'd need power for an electric one too, obviously. [Disclaimer - I haven't actually tried this].

We had a similar issue about access to a tap. I progressed from very long hoses with connectors, to using the neighbour's tap (and one long hose), to just giving up and washing it whenever I visited my parents.

mattwnz

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#1159942 22-Oct-2014 12:48

Fred99: If you go to Bunnings etc, they probably have a security screwdriver with long shaft for a few dollars to solve the problem of getting in to the Stihl water blaster. That would be my first option.
Failing that, then I'd recommend to avoid the Karcher. I have one the same or similar, used for light duty stuff only (quite good for cleaning the decks on my boat etc). However it failed (pressure switch), and after pulling it apart - with great difficulty - it became apparent to me that they are not designed to be serviced. To get at the simple part, I needed to strip it right down, the whole job took many hours. It is still going - but I don't have high hopes that will be for long.
People I've spoken to suggest that Nilfisk is far better made brand, able to be serviced. Karcher appears to be a throw-away brand these days.

The Stihl one is the RE106, and it is more than powerful for my needs. It is about 1800PSI and is probably one of their bottom of the range models. I will check out Bunnings for a security screw driver for it. There is a repair manual for it that I saw on ebay, so may see if I can source one of those. Funnily enough I tried it out again today and it is working again, but it seems to have a temperamental internal pressure switch or valve, where it won't restart unless there is very low water pressure going through it. I suspect it is caused by corrosion, so something may need cleaning out. I will see how it now goes. Stihl are certainly a premium brand, and I may replace it with the newer model if this one does finally pack up, or can't be repaired economically.

Athlonite

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#1160010 22-Oct-2014 14:35

I have the one you mention in your OP it's good I used it all afternoon without stopping for the concrete around my mums house which is alot of concrete no stopping not overheating did a good job too

RunningMan

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#1160055 22-Oct-2014 15:37

alasta: I'm assuming these things require a continuous connection to the water supply, as opposed to having a water tank?

Washing my car is a real pain because I can't park it anywhere near a tap - I'm not sure what solutions are out there.

Quite a number can draw water from a bucket or tank. You just need to purchase a short suction hose.

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