Can we talk about hand tools versus power tools for cleaning?

I've been sweeping chimneys for about 8 years now and I keep going back and forth between using my hand brushes versus my power cleaning kit. Hand brushes give me way more control on tight bends and I can feel exactly what's happening in the flue. But last month I had a job in an old house where the buildup was really thick, like almost 2 inches of creosote in spots. My power kit with the rotary attachment cut through that in about 20 minutes less than hand work would have taken. The downside is the power kit left more dust floating around even with my vac hooked up, and I had to spend extra time at the end cleaning up. What do you guys reach for first when you walk onto a job?

2 comments

2 Comments

max_cooper214d ago

Why do power tools always make more mess than they save time?

wren2304d ago

My dad tried to save time by using a belt sander on our screened porch last summer. Ended up with a layer of fine sawdust on every single piece of furniture and the ceiling fan blades turned into little blenders spraying it all over. Took him two full weekends to clean up after a job that would've taken maybe one long day with hand tools if you factor in the cleanup.