John T

Of course if someone was to call the PWNA and to look for a member in there area to possibly do some work and there were none they can ask what should they look for in a contractor and they will get a suitable answer such as look to see that there insured etc.. This is the paranoia thats out there when people think that the PWNA will not help anyone unless there members. Of course we would answer some of the questions that are out there but would we recommend someone that is not a member???? Who really cares. If the concern is that you will not be recommended by the PWNA then just join. IF not then stop worrying about whether the PWNA will recommend you or not. Just ask yourself can you benefit being a PWNA member or not and then move on and do what you think is best for you.

Mike Hughes has another job now and he is no longer a PWNA member. Last heard he is going to try to keep his new job and also run his powerwashing business. As for the PWNA refering anyone that is a non member I wouldn't recommend that since we don't know if the non member is licensed or insured and the repercussions can be disastrous if they aren't and something goes wrong. What I do know is that the PWNA members will have to show proof that they have at the very least updated insurance to be PWNA members and I will always recommend one of them to anyone who asked. What Scott wants done is wishfull thinking because he is not considering the liability factors. We as the PWNA have to consider the liability factors and any repercussions that involve us. The end result as always is if you want to see the PWNA benefit you then join. Obviously if you don't join then you will see...NO BENEFIT!! If you are looking for the benefit without joining then you will be looking forever because its not there.

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I may be in the market to buy a bigger enclosed trailer then the one I have which is 7'x12'. I'm leaning towards an 18-20 footer because I would like to add a ton more things to the inside of it. If I do this I will sell my 12 footer and I will post it here and other bb's first. So how big of a trailer is to big and what is the best size??

Yes true but perception can be an obstacle that could be extremely hard to overcome if its in a negative light. What people perceive about things is is very powerful. Just look at religion(Did I say that). Anyway I'm off topic here..somebody bring it back on topic.

Pressure Pro's concern about a carefully articulated business ploy is right on with what the perception could be.

My thinking seems to be different then some others here. I believe and org. should be exclusively for its members and not a sole vehicle for a Vendor to own so they can fatten there pockets. Call me naive about this and I'm sure I am in some area's but I know for myself that my integrity is intact. If a vendor bank rolls an org. some will look at it like a GREAT jesture. Some others will look at if like the Vendor is looking to fatten there pockets first and to me that is not what an org. stands for. If that is to be done there probably just better off starting a bb and leave it at that so they can do what there business dictates. The reason I say this is because the perception will be the org. killer. I am not saying for anyone not to start an org even if they are Vendor. If you think you can make it work then give it a go. You'll never know unless you try..... What I'm saying is to me an Org. is for its members first and anyone who is in direct violation of that should be dealt with accordingly....if thats even possible.............. I would have a complete change of thought about a Vendor owning an org. if it was a predominately vendor member one. As for the PWNA which is made up of aprox 95% contractors and 5% vendor's everyone there is pretty much compliance to what the rules are. When there out of line like I've been a few times we talk about it because the org. is one voice and we work together.

To set the record straight here and I wish Rod and Beth would do the same and I don't want this to get out of control because I am in the know as much as they are. They were not blocked because of there post to the other BOD. There's a long history there and that is what most here do not understand. SO NO they did not get the boot or anything like that because of that one post. This is the dirty laundry that I will not air publically because its unfair for both sides. I wish that can be respected here but I'm expecting it not to be. To make this simple Beth/Rod and the PWNA have differences of Opinions that in the end there partnership together at this time was not working for each side. Thats it and to put blame without knowing the facts doesn't help matters. Can we keep this thread clean or is it going to and up with the mudd slinging??

Don, Your absolutely right I'm using the wrong word by saying affiliated. I can't think of the proper word there since I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. What I'm trying to say is that none of the vendors or contractors there own the PWNA. The perception that Robert Hindeliter's Delco owning the PWNA took years and years to shake. If another Vendor starts one up then they will be on a collision course with that Deadly perception. Does that make it any clearer?? I'm giving out an honest view and its not to hurt or stop anything. I just would hate to see anyone go through the crap that Robert went thru. The PWNA was his baby and he got a ton of bad publicity for it. Today I admire him for his efforts and I know alot of the past ugly stories. I would put the odds very low to get an org started with a main vendor strictly behind it. Thats what I'm saying....and hey I could be big time wrong about this. Its just the way I see it from what I've learned.

Celeste, From my experiences with the PWNA, if Beth and Rod where to start an org. and yes they have the energy to do it which is extremely important, They will have a major problem with perception like Robert Hindeliter did and his company Delco was huge even before PWNA was around. Perception as unfair as it is can be a killer unless of course there goal is to represent vendors exclusively. Look at the major gripes on these bb's..they come from contractors and it makes sense to me why that is. We are the ones who are mislead the most for others to make money and WE are there goldmines. So this is why I feel that an org. if it was ever to start up should be by a bunch of contractors that aren't in the business of selling other contractors there equipment,stains etc. This way the neg. perception is killed before it ever got started(That makes no sense..English is not my cup of tea but my point is clear).Now at this point Vendors can join on also. IF Robert Hindeliter who has a masters degree and is a big time successful business man in the Powerwashing field barely got over these hurdles why would a new org. want to start up with the same damming hurdles staring right at them...This is the point I'm trying to make. Learn from whats out there and the history behind it. If there is a different example in our field I would love to hear it because I don't know of any.

Celeste--true and your a great rambeler because your a 100% right on. I wish I can ramble half as good. Don-BOD of the PWNA can be Vendors, Vendor/contractors and just contractors. That has nothing to do with the premises of the PWNA org. In the bylaws there can be I believe up to 3 Vendors/Vendor-contractors at any one time. As for flat out contractors they can actually be the whole board at any given time. Beth can correct me on this if I'm off a little bit here. BUT just because lets say you are a BOD it doesn't make it your org. to own because its not yours. The PWNA is its own org and not any Vendors,contractors etc. Now with that being said there are some very strong personalities involved and that is always what people deal with when in groups. Nothing wrong with strong personalities and its actually a good thing because that is what makes alot of people successful to start out with. The tough aspect of dealing with people with strong personalities is trying to keep us all on the same page and that can be exhausting at times. This is why in the profit companies you see the chairman etc. making the real big $$$$ because he or she puts in all of there efforts to make things happened. When your volunteering you can feel like your strength is just getting zapped out of you and for what...Just ask Beth. Still its a neat and tough process and for most they would say its just not worth it. I'm surprised at myself sometimes because for me its almost always about the money and I rarely do anything on a volunteering bases. If I wasn't called up by a past president there Chris Detter to join us the volunteering team I would have never done so. Since I did commit myself I try my very best not to let down the ones I committed to. OK now I'm rambeling........

Most people love the rates that Joe Walters has for Powerwashing insurance. So who is Joe Walters??? Yup a PWNA member from the very begining and he may also be one of the founding members also. Hey Celeste am I making you sick yet of all the positives I portray about the PWNA :)

I pay Joe Monthly. I beleive I may be also getting a PWNA discount :)

First off I am not into bringing dirty laundry public. If one has a problem with a member then at the very least e-mail them to get it off your chest. Not to chastise them in public especially thru a very public forum such as bb. ________________________________________________________________ So.....In this particular post you say you're against such things and mention the PWNA and it's ghosts, yet in other threads you constantly ramble about your support for the PWNA. Is this just more PWNA rhetoric and double-speak? Care to clarify? Quote by Don Phelps _______________________________________________________________ Nope I never double speak- What you see is what you get. The PWNA has no connection today with Delco and it hasn't as long as I've been on there. So no double speak here. There history though is different and this is before I was on there still I feel that Robert did it for all the right reasons but the perception was a killer as it can be for many things. Don does that make it clearer?? Today the PWNA is NOT affiliated with any Vendor. Some Vendors work harder then others to get the PWNA to work for them and there is nothing wrong with that at all as long as its done according to the rules and if not and it is continously violated you will be shown the door. Same goes for Contractors. Are we squeeky clean?? Of course not but we try. Violators are warned. Its just from what I see on the inside with the PWNA which is if there is a Vendor/Distributer that is trying to bring out an Org. then they will have a real negative perception on the industry because others will view it as its for them to make money off there members exclusively. This will most likely be there death sentence as far as being a true valuable nationwide org. Even if there intentions are nothing but honest as I feel Roberts was with the PWNA. That perception of him damn near killed off the PWNA back then. I'm amazed that the PWNA survived it and is still around today. The Ultimate goal would be for a bunch of contractors to start there own Org. If that was the case and its done right then that would be the only time I think an org. can give the PWNA a run for the money over the next 10 years. Since I don't see that happening and I'm pushing 44 I will stick with an org. that is way past the baby steps stage it went thru 13 yrs ago. IF of course a super org was to start up and kick some serious booty and it represents my company well I would join it along side with the PWNA because the PWNA already benefits my company and if another org can do that also I would not be to stupid to have my company suffer because of any ignorance.

Yes I agree but if a non profit org was to spring up it should not be affiliated with anyone that is selling products unless of course its a Vendors/Distributers ORG. Just look at the history with the PWNA and Robert Hindeliter. I believe he started this org. for the Contractors but some people thought he was doing it for the sole benefit of his company which is Delco. I don't think that was Roberts intent at all as some others do. Needless to say those differents of opinions on why PWNA was started still haunt the PWNA today. So that is why I would have a real problem supporting an ORG. that is behind closed doors affiliated with any Vendor or distributer because I am a contractor first and I need things to be as fair as possible for myself and other contractors. Sometimes I think an Org. for Contractors should not even allow Vendors except if they want to help sponsor the ORG. but that would not work because where all connected in this field. It just needs to be done right the first time and that is why I feel the way I do. I wouldn't want to be at the starting gate with a new org. that is already having problems because others think that the new org. is really in place to benefit the Vendors pocket first.

I have one scheduled for 3 weeks from now. I went to the Doctors yesterday to see what they can do about my insomnia because I can not and will not alter my schedule with the nights on one job and the days on another. In between when I have time to sleep like a Sat. nite I can't and that is where the problem is. I was prescribed sleeping pills to only use once in awhile but after this check up the Doctor says when was the last time I had a physical because prostrate problems could be the cause of this(I doubt it) and how long have I had a sleep disorder. My answers where around 10 years for the physical and 5 years for the not sleeping routine. She looked at me crosseyed and said GET YOURSELF A PHYSICAL. Still I can't go for at least 3 weeks. Disclaimer:-Never follow my procedures on visiting a doctor which is like never. Not good for ones health.

I voted no because of the outline. I would not want to see an org. spring up that is affiliated or even a hint that its affiliated with anyones business. We at the PWNA get enough flack because some people feel that were connected to Delco. The last bunch of years the PWNA has not been affiliated with Delco but still its tough to shake that image and image is so important among other things. If an Org. does spring up maybe its a good thing because it will keep everyone on there toes from all sides. My thinking is since I am affiliated with the PWNA I would try as hard as I can to keep the PWNA a step above the rest. Its my competitive nature and it benefits me and our members if we can step it up a notch. I know Celeste will disagree with me but competition is a good thing because no competition can make things stagnant and that can be a problem. Don't misconstrue that I'm saying the PWNA is stagnant because where not but we can be if there's never any competition. I think bulletin boards have a similiar mindset about other bb's even though no one will most likely admit that. Every bb I go on all there main members swear by them and say that there's are the best. So with that mindset The owners of the bb's(The good ones that is) step it up to keep there's above the rest. Competition is a good thing........... These are my thoughts only and not of the other PWNA members.......

Today was a good business spending day. I purchased The Quickbooks Premier Contractors addition brand new for $130 less then what Best Buy wanted.This quickbooks can handle merchant accounts with for $89 more dollars I can add the credit card swiper to my lap top. I also purchased the Wadu machine for $199 which is $375 less then what they sell it for around here. These 2 items I purchased from ebay. Don't you just love that ebay. Here's the link for the above two: 2005 QUICKBOOKS PREMIER CONTRACTOR - NEW - QUICK BOOKS Graffiti & Grime Power Pressure Washer Acces. And in between with some purchases from Delco and Envirospec(Tomorrow's orders for nozzles etc.) My starter goes in my SUV(I also bought that on Ebay last year :) Thats $350 that I wasn't expected on spending today. Powerwashing season can't come soon enough...Oh yea did I mention that right now its snowing here and where expected to get between 8-12 inches of more snow..........

PWNA is not going anywhere and expect to see there membership numbers to go up in the near future. I will of course follow these threads and to see what is new down the horizon.

Is there any difference from Flow sensative unloader vs. a flow actuated unloader?? I'm assuming(There's that word) there the same and for my Powerwashers to work hooked up together they have to be the same so assuming might not work here. Thanks

I talked to Larry Hinkley today and first off when using the Booster hose to connect the two powerwashers each powerwasher must have its own unloader which makes sense so once you undo the booster hose you can now use each powerwasher as they were. Also there is a difference from Pressure actuated,Flow actuated and flow sensative unloaders. My hydrotek has the Flow sensative unloader which means when you stop squeazing the wand the water pressure drops where you can just disconnect the wand if you want to. I like this unloader the best because of the little pressure that you have to deal with when not using and the 1 second build up of pressure when squeezing the trigger. This is the least tiresome of the Unloaders and the safest. My Landa has the Flow Actuated unloader where there is pressure on the wand when not in use which is similiar to the Pressure Unloaders. Now there is a difference from Pressure actuated unloaders to Flow actuated unloaders and Larry explained it to me and I got lost on this but it might have something to do with the bypass. A long story short I lucked out because you CAN combine the Flow Actuated and the Flow Sensative Unloaders with the Delco Power booster hose which means I don't have to change out any of the unloaders. For once I got lucky:)

I know this has been discuss numerous times but I'll throw this out there again because I'm contemplating on setting up my two hot water Powerwashers together. These are the specs. First machine is a Landa 3000psi @ 4.8 gpm and the second machine is a Hydrotek 3200psi @ 4.6 gpm. SO my questions are will there be any problems connecting these 2 machines together to get aprox 3100 psi(WHich by the time it gets to the end of my hoses its less) and 9.4gpm??

I have two ways to load and unload equipment from my trucks. One way is with these ramps I have from Northern and the other way is from a fork lift dolly also from Northern that they no longer sell. Here's a picture of my fork lift dolly with my Landa and here's another picture of these ramps that I bought when I first started my business in 96 and I still have. Daws Folding Aluminum Ramp End Gate — 1000lb. Capacity Item# 330227 Discount Price $119.99

I just got off the phone with Delco today and I purchased the Power booster($99 because I had and 8ft whip hose put on instead of the 6') which is used to hook two powerwashers together. You can view this item on the bottom of page 34 in there online catalog. http://www.dcs1.com/catalog/blaster25-36.pdf Of course one of my powerwashers has a pressure actuated unloader and the other one is a "Flow actuated" unloader. According to the service guy at Delco you must have the same unloaders on both Powerwashers to work. He said you can go with either the pressure or flow unloaders. I am leaning towards changing out my Landa to a flow unloader. Any thoughts on this are much appreciated.

If you look at the powerbooster hose in that link you can see that each whip hose goes to the Powerwashers. This booster set-up is made where you can just disconnect it so the powerwashers can now work on there own. With that being said It only makes sense to have both unloaders intact. Now of course you have me wondering because if thats what Larry Hinkley said I am going to have to ask some more questions. I am going to put my above question on Delco's bb to see if larry see's it.