Are swivel guns a bunch of hype?

[Eldorado2k]

The subject regarding the importance of a swivel on these power washer stubby guns has been made into a major selling point and a must have feature on any pressure washer gun worth paying a premium for these days.

We’ve all been led down this path and it feels good to have the latest & greatest.. But when I stop and think about it, I can’t really recall any great moments when it comes to the swivel actually coming through in the clutch.

So last night I tried to find out if there was any actual footage of these swivels ever actually doing anything worthwhile under pressure and what a shocker, I wasn't able to find any. All I found was footage of guys laying out hoses flat on the floor, not even connected to a power washer and somehow calling that a "kink test".

Alot of other footage with people showing how the swivel supposedly works, however you can easily tell that the power washer isn't even turned on yet.

And then there's this test by Keav showing how easy the swivel spins under pressure, but what good is the swivel spinning in place? It can spin all day but can it actually help in unkinking the hose?!

It’s time to get some real world answers to this question.

I use a 50’ Yamatic pressure washer hose. 1/4” and it doesn’t live on a hose reel, I wind it up by hand after each use. I layed it out like this on purpose to provide at least a bit of challenge instead of making it an easy test.

Now lets see what happens.
-Water is on in this picture.

-Now the machine has been turned on.

-Now lets walk it out.

-Ok, this is where my swivel gun is supposed to come through in the clutch, just like Keav and everyone else swears it’s going to because after all it can spin in place very easily just like it does in the videos.

-Maybe if I pull harder?

-The truth is I can pull as hard as humanly possible but it’s not going to somehow straighten out those loops in the hose unless I physically turn the hose myself.

-The loops are finally gone thanks to me having to do it myself. But at least it can turn in place freely because that counts for a whole lot, right? [sarcasm]

-The only thing that pulling on the hose accomplished was dragging my pressure washer a few feet from where it started.

-The guys who make videos on the Uberflex hose admit that it’s not perfect and that you will encounter these same kind of loops when you turn the machine on and it’s under pressure… So that leaves me with the question, are these swivels completely overrated and damn near useless?

[spinning in place under pressure does absolutely nothing for me]

Is there’s a hose that doesn’t suffer from this issue? If so which one is it? And is there footage available to see?

 

[chilly]

This is real world stuff here

Like you said, a UToob star sitting there playing wiggle wiggle with a hose or spinning a gun NOT under pressure proves zero, except that people are suckers

I walk my Uberflex/Flexzilla hose all the way out prior to firing up the PW and get all the kinks out because I know my swivel at the machine and the one on my gun are of extremely limited value UNDER PRESSURE

IDK, maybe a $150 gun with a built in billet ball bearing swivel is different, but trust me, I will never find out because I am not made of money

 

[SNP209]

Good post. I am a firm believer that if your hose isn't on a reel then it should be common practice to "walk out" the hose to ensure it is nice and straight, no kind of swivel is a viable substitute for this practice in my opinion.

That doesn't mean a good swivel doesn't have a place on a pressure washer gun. I find the swivel action to be useful when rinsing left to right or right to left for example. It keeps me from twisting the hose while changing the angle I am spraying at and easier on my wrist overall. More of an ergonomic benefit than anything from my experience.

 

[Optimus Grime]

I appreciate a good swivel. When I had an Flexilla hose having a swivel wasn’t necessary but once I mounted my pressure washer and got a KobraJet hose, which is much thicker and not as flexible, I found having a swivel to being highly beneficial. I did a mobile job today and with my mobile setup not having a swivel wasn’t an issue but I was using the hose that came with my Active 2.3. It’s not as flexible as a Flexilla but more than Kobra Jet.

 

[Bosko]

I have yet to start a wash with saying the "F" word at least twice because of hoses.......
I have ubbeflexs/flexzillia....10 other brands....doesn't matter
Swivel guns.....no swivel guns, the whole process is a pain in the ass....lol

 

[chilly]

I appreciate a good swivel. When I had an Flexilla hose having a swivel wasn’t necessary but once I mounted my pressure washer and got a KobraJet hose, which is much thicker and not as flexible, I found having a swivel to being highly beneficial. I did a mobile job today and with my mobile setup not having a swivel wasn’t an issue but I was using the hose that came with my Active 2.3. It’s not as flexible as a Flexilla but more than Kobra Jet.

Thinking about what you said, maybe a stiffer hose would force a swivel to turn more rather than just letting the hose kink up

When I got the cobra type hose I ordered and saw how stiff it was and started envisioning it with our super cold water I knew it would be like fighting an anaconda, swivels not withstanding

It went back to Amazon without even being unrolled

I’m convinced I need a reel


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[Bosko]

I’m convinced I need a reel


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We all do....

 

[Optimus Grime]

I’m convinced I need a reel


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Worth every penny. I don’t think I’d wash my vehicles half as much if I had to constantly drag out my pressure washer and hose like in the days of yesteryear.

 

[chilly]

Worth every penny. I don’t think I’d wash my vehicles half as much if I had to constantly drag out my pressure washer and hose like in the days of yesteryear.

I haven't pursued a reel and wall mount and stuff because I need my PW all around the house

Guess I better look at a dedicated car PW

 

[Optimus Grime]

I haven't pursued a reel and wall mount and stuff because I need my PW all around the house

Guess I better look at a dedicated car PW

That’s why I upgraded from my Flexilla to a 100 foot Kobra Jet but having a dedicated car PW is what I ended up doing. Even though my hose can almost reach all the places I need, having a PW that I can move around is worth the extra expense.

 

[DFB]

No matter what you do, a hose will always kink and bind. Be that a pressure washer hose or garden hose, they all do it no matter the size, type or price. As someone who uses a hose all day for a living, you eventually find a way to mitigate bind and kinks. In recent years, I've used a 1/4-inch rubber jacket hose on a 1152, and a 3/8 Cobra Jet on the KHD-10. Despite both being higher end choices, they will still bind if not managed properly. However, I would take some hose bind over those ultra stiff plastic jacket hoses that whip around on cheaper machines.

So, it doesn't really matter if you have a live swivel on your gun, a hose will always bind. But..........................................the live swivel does improve the usability of the gun itself. Because the gun and hose are not welded to one position, the swivel ability helps out when moving around the car, especially when doing wheels. It's just more flexible.

If we are talking purely about hose bind, then yes, a live swivel is overhyped. But as I explained above, you are focusing on the wrong thing. So no, swivels are not hype.

 

[chilly]

No matter what you do, a hose will always kink and bind. Be that a pressure washer hose or garden hose, they all do it no matter the size, type or price. As someone who uses a hose all day for a living, you eventually find a way to mitigate bind and kinks. In recent years, I've used a 1/4-inch rubber jacket hose on a 1152, and a 3/8 Cobra Jet on the KHD-10. Despite both being higher end choices, they will still bind if not managed properly. However, I would take some hose bind over those ultra stiff plastic jacket hoses that whip around on cheaper machines.

So, it doesn't really matter if you have a live swivel on your gun, a hose will always bind. But..........................................the live swivel does improve the usability of the gun itself. Because the gun and hose are not welded to one position, the swivel ability helps out when moving around the car, especially when doing wheels. It's just more flexible.

If we are talking purely about hose bind, then yes, a live swivel is overhyped. But as I explained above, you are focusing on the wrong thing. So no, swivels are not hype.

What you say is true, but in most cases it is not why we bought the swivel gun or the extra hose end swivels

To me it's a matter of unrealized expectations, like so many other "game changers" that companies try to push on us and UToobers gush and carry on about

Truth in advertising died a long time ago

 

[Eldorado2k]

Great feedback, I agree with every or at least a part of every reply. The following quote by Chilly IMO being the best one.

To me it's a matter of unrealized expectations, like so many other "game changers" that companies try to push on us and UToobers gush and carry on about

With so many youtubers being specialized into detailing these days you’d think at least one of them would have the spine to point out something as obvious as this knowing a large majority of us are expecting the swivel to unkink the hose.

And I can accept the fact that it doesn’t… But what I can’t accept is stupid footage like these next screenshots that can only be either hype or a blatant lie. Why can’t these dudes be honest?

I couldn’t find a single video that doesn’t lead you to believe that this is how it’s actually going to work. These guys are liars.

It’s not that big of a deal, I walk my hose out before turning on the power washer like you guys mention, I just got a thing with people who fail to mention important details and even worse when they lie or shill.

 

[chefwong]

Maybe I have lower expectation but I don't expect a swivel to unkink a hose.....it just allows for a better experience on the business end of the hose *the gun* so that the gun moves independently of the hose.

 

[Flash Gordon]

I never use a pressure washer unless it's a truck after hunting season.
Those things are detrimental to ppf.

 

[Flash Gordon]

Great feedback, I agree with every or at least a part of every reply. The following quote by Chilly IMO being the best one.



With so many youtubers being specialized into detailing these days you’d think at least one of them would have the spine to point out something as obvious as this knowing a large majority of us are expecting the swivel to unkink the hose.

And I can accept the fact that it doesn’t… But what I can’t accept is stupid footage like these next screenshots that can only be either hype or a blatant lie. Why can’t these dudes be honest?

I couldn’t find a single video that doesn’t lead you to believe that this is how it’s actually going to work. These guys are liars.

It’s not that big of a deal, I walk my hose out before turning on the power washer like you guys mention, I just got a thing with people who fail to mention important details and even worse when they lie or shill.

They have no morals/character

Listen to me instead.
You might not like me personally (or my answers), but you will be hard pressed finding me to be lying

 

[chefwong]

I never use a pressure washer unless it's a truck after hunting season.
Those things are detrimental to ppf.

Cars are washed 1X a week. In the summer, if the OCD kicks in, some may get 2X-3X a week...
All full wrapped and no issues with a gun being on it......

I suppose PPF fails can come when one is thinking they are doing someone kewel or just doing it wrong......I recall one post with one poster showing a rotary nozzle and I recall asking for a specific detail when I pointed out a rotary nozzle on a PW gun is a -cutting tip- and I asked what size orifice he was using in the advice being given out...

 

[Flash Gordon]

6

Cars are washed 1X a week. In the summer, if the OCD kicks in, some may get 2X-3X a week...
All full wrapped and no issues with a gun being on it......

I suppose PPF fails can come when one is thinking they are doing someone kewel or just doing it wrong......I recall one post with one poster showing a rotary nozzle and I recall asking for a specific detail when I pointed out a rotary nozzle on a PW gun is a -cutting tip- and I asked what size orifice he was using in the advice being given out...

Go for it. I'm not taking any chances
The word orifice always makes me chuckle

 

[Azure]

I agree, the swivel really doesn't seem to "un-kink" any type of pressure washer hose under pressure. For me, the swivel allows me to point my washer gun easier compared to no swivel. I had carpel tunnel surgery 20+ years ago in both my hands and my grip strength is terrible. Once I got a swivel, it made it a little easier to manage the gun under pressure.