Fastcap 3HANDCPACK 3rd Hand Contractor Poles, 4-Pack
by Fastcap
|
List Price: Our Price: $176.00 You Save: $35.00 (17%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Fastcap 3HANDCPACK 3rd Hand Contractor Poles, 4-Pack
Customer Review: Wish I bought these sooner!
Summary: 4 Stars
I just finished using these poles to create a temporary wall during some plaster demolition. I can't say this enough, Buy These Poles!!!!
I had debated getting these or the Zip Wall version, which are twice the price of Third Hand, and these worked great. One of the reasons I went with the Third Hand version is that you can use these as work supports as well, where as the Zip Wall version seems to be a one trick pony and is truly made for wall construction only.
A few tips, I bought the small yellow magnets which allow the plastic sheeting to be attach to the sides of poles, this was great for creating a temporary door between two poles. This also meant I didn't need to buy those zipper doors to get in and out of the room. Also, I purchased the larger bases/feet sold on Amazon, but if you are just going to use these poles as a dust barrier, the feet supplied with the kit are fine. The four pole version comes with a carry case and does help keep all the parts together when you are done. I bought the four poles instead of two after reading reviews of both products and a few people commented that you needed four poles to close off certain areas; I actually needed all four on the first job.
Here is the only issue I had, and it would be the same issue encountered with Zip Wall. Unless you tape the plastic sheeting directly to the wall on the sides, you will have a half inch opening between the pole and the wall that will allow dust through. Zip Wall sells an accessory which looks like a long squeegee and a bracket that attaches to the poles and keeps the plastic sheet firmly against the wall or ceiling, which is another $150 bucks. Third Hand has nothing like that I could find, so, you either tape the plastic to the wall, or attempt to mount the zip wall versions to your poles, which may actually fit. If you look at the accessory, you'll know what I mean
I wish I had purchased these earlier on in the renovation since my wife and I were performing a daily cleaning ritual of the previously renovated rooms that were being covered in plaster dust each day. Based on my experiences, I cut down the dust mess by 90%, and once the taping begins, I am putting them back in action. I only wish my contractor had bought these instead of this being on my dime.
Customer Review: Slightly amazing product/ many uses...
Summary: 5 Stars
I had been looking for an excuse to buy a system called "Zip Wall". I finally have a job where I really needed some way of controlling dust. When I searched for "Zip Wall" it also came up with this competing system. I was intriqued and pleased to see that the FastCap product was approximately half of what the other one was. I did a lot of research and was not helped by the add copy which leaves a lot out. After almost ordering two of the dual packs I carefully read the copy again on several sites and was able to determine that the Contractor Pack was the better deal including the big feet and the bag, which is quite usable with the feet removed.
Ok... I needed the 3rd hands for controlling dust when I removed the old plaster from wall bricks so I could repair them. Since this is interior work I really need to keep the dust from getting all over the place.
The first part of the job however was to fix a crack in the poured basement wall. The crack runs from floor to ceiling. The top of the crack runs behind a cold air return duct which I needed to either cut in half or move a lot of sheet metal to remove. Since the 3rd hand can support 70 lbs. each I supported the item with 3 of them and cut it in half then lowered it to the floor.
Once the crack was repaired I now needed to reinstall the sheet metal. However the plaster ceiling (in a hundred year old house) had sagged and hung down about 3 inces and I could not get the duct to fit properly let alone support it properly [I didn't want to use a really long screw since I was afraid further sagging would rip it out].
I used the 3rd hands to gradually lift the ceiling running 4 1/2 inch screws with fender washers about every 6 inches into sound joists. I only raised the ceiling about 2 feet out from the duct area, but am sure I could have done the entire ceiling in this manner in much less time than any other way I have heard of. Of course the 3rd hands let me support the duct again as I secured it to the ceiling.
Oh yea... It does make a great dust barrier too.
In short I was quite pleased with the strength and utility of this product. This is my first review of any product anywhere. It has already paid for itself and I am not finished with the job...
Customer Review: New Updates to product
Summary: 5 Stars
There are already many positive reviews out there so I'll focus on some of the issues from the bad ones.
1) These poles supposedly didn't work for dust barriers. They now come with a "magnetic dust foot" that should make hanging plastic sheeting a breeze. Stand the pole up (see below), attach the sheeting to the pole with the magnetic feet while on the ground, then raise the poles up. Pretty easy.
2) These poles supposedly tipped over easily. The kit now comes with "universal feet" that allow the poles to stand up on their own. Tipping shouldn't be a problem.
3) The poles are supposedly too long for cabinets. My poles came marked with a location to cut them at if you want them short enough for cabinets. No need to worry about voiding the warranty.
4) Some people find the poles too heavy. Unless all you want to use them for is plastic sheeting, in my opinion, the heavier they are, the heavier-duty they are, and I'll take heavy duty over light weight any day of the week.
5) The poles supposedly don't fit in the bag. They do fit if you take the feet off, and the feet (including the universal feet and the magnetic dust feet) will all fit in the bag with the poles. I would guess you could probably get a couple more poles in there too. It would be nice if there was a bag for the feet or something so they didn't end up all over the inside of the bag, but just about anything would do for that.
6) The Zipwall system is supposedly better because it comes with the foam rails. Rip a 2x4 down into four 1x2's and attach some cheap weatherstripping available at any home improvement store. You now have your foam rails.
The only things I can see that's better about the Zipwall is that a) it's lighter, which is only better if ALL you're going to use it for is plastic sheeting, and b) the telescoping feature is probably a little faster than the design of the 3rd hand.
I can't see spending over $100 more for the Zipwall when you lose so much functionality.
Customer Review: Minor Problems-Good item
Summary: 4 Stars
I think Amazon sent me a used (or returned) product. One of the padded handles was split and there were scratches on some of the painted shafts, even though each of the "3rd hands" was individually packed. I suspect someone returned these to Amazon and they shipped them to me without inspecting the damage. However, I needed to use it immediately and I didn't see any operational damage so I did not complain.
The product works great and they have been very useful. I retired last year and have several remodeling projects to do in and around my house. I don't have anyone to help me. My wife has arthritis and is unable to help hold up boards, etc. I can't seem to find anyone I can hire to help me on an irregular basis; therefore, I needed these "3rd hand" poles to help hold up long boards and vinyl siding I am using as a ceiling in a new carport.
I have three minor complaints. Two out of four of the accessory feet that allow the poles to stand up without support do not fit tight enough to stay on the poles when lifted. Some duct tape solved this but FastCap should build these better. Also, the feet are too small. The slightest slope to the floor and the poles won't stand alone. I solved this by screwing them to some plywood. My third complaint is the release for the upper sliding rod. The handle is short and difficult to operate. These will pinch your finger quick. Even after getting used to the release I still have pinched my finger several times. My old hands can't stand much of this (Wear gloves).
Bottom line is these work well and allow me to do much more work than I could have done otherwise. I would buy them again.
Customer Review: An Extra Hand Always Helps
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought two of these to help me with crown molding (did it myself) and they worked great. There have been other projects/needs where the 3rd hand was there to help me when no one else could. They are very solid but I would agree that the pins are a little difficult. But once you get the hang of it you will find that these are truly a worthwhile investment.
To work them you:
1. Slide the poles and then lock in place the distance you want (that's what the pins do) leaving some room to manipulate them to the desired position.
2. Both the top and bottom plates are on ball mounts so they nicely stay flat to the surfaces you're working with. Having put it in place you then squeeze the clamping lever at the top which slowly raises the top pole and plate (a steel pole that is inside the main pole and is connected to the top plate) to lock the 3rd hand in tightly. (This "top part" can be raised by the clamping lever over 2 feet! However, that's a lot of clamping and should only be used if the main pole is not long enough).
3. There is a large safety lock on the clamping lever you then tighten to make sure everything is, well tight.
Now the pole (3rd hand) is in place and so is your project. Again, these have been a great help and are well built.