McCulloch Steamer, will I regret the purchase?

Ron4543

Ron4543

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All of my purchases are limited by per diem which I receive for while I am working away from the office (which translates to pretty often I get an extra $40 cash each day). Because I get this money, I am very thrifty on what I spend of my own salary and rarely touch that for hobbies.

I have been using my leftover cash to purchase detailing supplies, next on my list I think would be a steam cleaner, with the McCulloch being the cheapest and most readily available. I'm nowhere near doing this on a professional or even semi professional level, but I usually take hobbies pretty seriously.

So far the only vehicles I have to work on would be my two cars and my two work trucks. My biggest problem would be outgrowing the purchases I make, if I decide I enjoy this enough to try out on the side down the road (would be at least a year). I can pull together the ~$80 relatively quickly for the HF steamer, probably less than a week or so. But if I decide to save for another one that is more expensive that limits how quickly I can make the purchase and other purchases.

From the reviews I have seen most people in my position would buy the HF model and it would suffice, so are there any other thoughts on it given my possible goals?

Thanks in advance!

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I personally own a Wagner 915 and bought it after researching both models extensively. It's great for small jobs and basic duty cleaning. For professional use it is nothing like a VX5000, but for home use and light duty DIY, it is great.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RztzYaJiC4]Steam clean your engine with the Wagner 915 Steamer - YouTube[/video]

It has an aluminum tank which is a must have for durability. The heating time ranges from 10-15 minutes on average. And lasts enough to do an entire engine bay detail and the door jambs with some left over. I usually empty it by holding the trigger on for a few minutes straight. The only downside is the attachments are very home oriented and non can really be used for a car besides the soft black small bristle. A triangle 3" attachment is great for detailing interiors but sold separably.
 
Thanks for the advice, where would I be able to get the triangle attachment if I was to buy the Wagner?

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You will not regret it. I've had mine for a year and probably done around 100+ interior details with it, some downright disturbing. This unit has always run like a champ and I am going to run it until it completely breaks down.

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I have one and haven't gotten a chance to really put it to work yet but from my limited use it works really well and is a solid machine. Great to hear that yours is still going strong VP Mark!
 
Good choice for a steamer IMO is the McCulloch which comes with all sorts of attachments including the triangle attachment.

I've had mine for 2-3 years and not once did it let me down.
Good steam and pressure which is needed. :dblthumb2:


Ron4543 said:
Thanks for the advice, where would I be able to get the triangle attachment if I was to buy the Wagner?

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Click to expand...
 
Ron4543 said:
Thanks for the advice, where would I be able to get the triangle attachment if I was to buy the Wagner?

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Click to expand...

both come with it..same machine.. I just bought one Saturday and I tested it out and works wonderfully... to me I can buy 8 of these for the price of what others pay for 1 of the other mentioned.

BTW HF has 25% off coupons use one to say $30 on the price.
 
HateSwirls said:
Good choice for a steamer IMO is the McCulloch which comes with all sorts of attachments including the triangle attachment.

I've had mine for 2-3 years and not once did it let me down.
Good steam and pressure which is needed. :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

:iagree:

I've had mine for about a month and really satisfied with it. Got it for about $100 at HF with a 25% off coupon.
 
Thanks guys, I'll move it to the top the list right away.

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I have one it works great for me. Will i be upgrading yes for sure but for now it works just fine
 
I've had mine over a year it hasn't let me down yet!!! :dblthumb2:
 
Once I purchase it I'll post up my review and pictures of it in use, gotta make sure I follow up like everyone else. Trying to be a true geek!

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How does this compare to the Dupray Tosca? I have been considering buying the Tosca for quite some time now.


-Beach
 
This isnt in the same league as a tosca. Not taking anything away from it, its a good steamer for the price. I have a tosca and its a beast!! I justified the cost of it because i use it everywhere in the house and cars. Has a great warranty (3 years parts, lifetime on boiler and case i believe). 316 degree DRY steam. and 70 psi or so of pressure. I wont look back from the Tosca it's probably one of my favorite purchases related to detailing. I wish I could have upgraded to the chemical injection models but I will someday.

Dupray Tosca Steam Cleaner
 
At $1k that is well out of my budget for a long time. Looks nice though and gives me something to look forward to.

Maybe some math

$40/day
Average 200 days a year
$8000 a year for per diem
I can usually save around half after food
Which means if I was EXTREMELY frugal I could possibly have something like it mid-year...

Damn you guys and your expensive awesome products... my wife is going to kill me...
 
I think the McCulloch Steamer works just fine for the price, but it's nothing like the high-end units (VX5000), much like the LGM vs. the Mytee.

I use mine around the house and occasionally on some detail jobs like these seats last weekend.








Rasky
 
Did you use the sock method for that? I'm also thinking of getting a drill brush for my carpets/floor mats.
 
I scored mine on craigslist for $35. Guy said it sucked at cleaning his shower. Well sir, he must have been doing it wrong. I love my little machine! Try to only use distilled water in it, but if you can't, then occasionally fill it with White Vinegar to get the crust out of it.

Other than that, fill it up and let it heat. I use the triangle end rapped around a towel to clean seats and carpets. It works incredibly for cleaning leather in the same manner. Be very careful not to burn yourself because...you will. I also use just the straight stream to blast through junk on doors and cup holders that I pretreat with an APC.
 
I bought one thinking it would be better than my shark and it was not very good I could put my hand right on the tip for almost 30 seconds before it felt hot. My shark I is so hot I have to wear rubber gloves. The hf model was more like a humidifier it looked like a lot of steam but it's not powerful and does not get hot enough for anything maybe should have exchanged it but I was just done with it at that point.
 
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