Geckos work for handling glass

[Rob Z]

FYI for the remodelers here...

I never thought much about the Geckos because I always thought they were designed for work with solid-surfacing materials. 

We install the glass for most of our jobs (shower doors and mirrors), and I decided to finally buy some glass-handling vacuum cups.  I called my dealer Tom Bellemare to see what he had for sale, and he told me that Geckos would work on glass.

We like the way the Geckos perform and they cost less than what I would have spent on glass-specific brands such as Woods.

The weight ratings for the Geckos are posted on the Festool site, and with two or three Geckos on each piece of glass, it was more than enough to feel secure while handling the glass.

 

[builderbob]

It's funny that you posted this at this moment!  I just used my Geckos for removing a 6' wide mirror for one of my clients!

I purchased these last year for another client who needed some LARGE pieces of mirror removed and I work solo!  These are worth their weight in gold if you're a remodeler or handle glass/mirrors often!

B3

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Bob,  It's funny...I passed by the Geckos in the catalog numerous times, and always thought "no need because we don't work with Corian". 

I'm kicking myself for not buying these things years ago!

 

[Sean7a]

Great photo.  We keep a Gecko on the front door with a small guide rail attached to it.  It gets everyone to turn their heads.

I'm blown away that you guys never thought of using these with glass, but only for solid surface.

 

[Steve R]

I bought them for use as rail clamps...  have yet to use them for that...but..

for moving glass and best of all HEAVY PATIO DOORS! How many time have you struggled getting a grip to lift the door out of the track!

Also great for Bath remodel ... mirrors and shower doors.

Don't forget kitchen counters... very helpful for smooth stone handling. No more crushed fingers!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Steve, they'll come in handy when postioning pieces of slab stone while we're setting them on top of curbs, kneewalls, benches, etc in showers.

 

[Steve R]

Hi Steve, they'll come in handy when postioning pieces of slab stone while we're setting them on top of curbs, kneewalls, benches, etc in showers.

Yes they will!  [thumbs up]

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Jonhilgen]

Also purchased to use for my rails, but instead found out like you guys that they're great for glass.  In fact, I used them to install some colored glass (as a wall covering).  They are awesome!

 

[tbellemare]

Snazzy!

Tom

 

[woodguy7]

Dude, that tap on the blue glass is way squint  [blink]  Nice work though, looks cool.

 

[richard.selwyn]

Had them for several years - only ever used them on glass. Really useful as I work alone. Never had much luck with them on solid surfaces. Expensive compared to other 'ventouses' but they could be useful with the rail one day.
Richard

 

[woodguy7]

Just noticed the reflection in the glass, are you sitting on the dunny  ;D

 

[Laminator]

I don't have the geckos but the woods pump up suction cups and use them on any sealed (non porous) surface that I need a handle on.  Used them today to help a customer move his range from his garage into his kitchen.  Just clamped one on each side and carried it right in.  They are so useful for so many things, I cant imagine not having them around.  I will use them tomorrow when I deliver some p-lam wardrobes to a local  hospital.    I have almost ordered a gecko and probably will just in case I need to clamp down a rail on day.
g

 

[ccarrolladams]

The Festool Gecko is a marvelous product, so long as it is used within the recommendations of Festool.

The Woods pump-up suction cups are commonly used in the movie industry to temporarily attach lights and cameras to smooth non-porous surfaces, such as autos.

My concern, as an employer, would be using any suction cup device outside its recommended use where safety is an issue.

Woods suction cups are routinely used to move and position glass. Personally I would hate trying to explain to my workers compensation insurance agent an accident in which a glass product separated from a Gecko. For decades I have used Woods suction cups to move glass without problems, as have many folks working for me.

I also used electric pump suction cups on vacuum lifts to move non-porous material and plywood safely.

 

[tbellemare]

Those are good points, Carroll.

Festool states, "With an easy to grip handle, use the Gecko to lift and carry non-porous materials and sheet goods up to 110 pounds.".

The 8" Woods are rated at 125 lbs. or 100 lbs., depending on model.

If I were the one carrying the glass, I would rather have two cups and a spreader than only one cup because if one cup fails, (for whatever reason), I'd have a better chance not dropping the glass if I still had one cup holding as with the Gecko. With the Woods, single, pump-up cup, if one cup fails, I have nothing.

Tom

 

[Laminator]

Does the Gecko have any indicator that it is losing vacuum?  That would be my concern if lifting anything expensive or dangerous.  The woods plunger pump lets you know if it losing vacuum and can be easily re pumped.

 

[Jonhilgen]

Dude, that tap on the blue glass is way squint  [blink]  Nice work though, looks cool.

You gotta translate that! [blink]

 

[peter halle]

Jon,

In the second image, the faucet (tap) looks crooked (squint).  But it looks great and you did a good job.

For those on the other side of the pond - did I translate correctly?

Peter

 

[Rob Z]

Does the Gecko have any indicator that it is losing vacuum?  That would be my concern if lifting anything expensive or dangerous.  The woods plunger pump lets you know if it losing vacuum and can be easily re pumped.

The Geckos don't have an indicator.  What I did notice about them (that I liked) was the real suction/grabbing action while pushing the levers into position.  You can feel it grab and pull itself tight to the glass. 

I bought three, and I think I'm to get a fourth one---that way the guys carrying can each have both hands on the Geckos and not touch the glass at all.

 

[Rob Z]

Jon,

In the second image, the faucet (tap) looks crooked (squint).  But it looks great and you did a good job.

For those on the other side of the pond - did I translate correctly?

Peter

Peter, that's it---I had to check with one of the guys I know on a tile forum based in the UK!  ha!