Rotary washing line advice

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Sar

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Our new garden isn't a suitable shape for a straight line washing line so I am considering a rotary one. I see that they come with different types of bases for sinking into the lawn, but I'm not sure which is best. There also seems to be a big variation in price between brands. Is is worth paying the extra for a Brabantia or are you just paying for the name?
 
I have had a Brabantia one for 7years and it is still good as new, has been outside all that time and has been manhandled by builders, it is not at all rusted and still strung properly..... was about 60 punts at the time.....
FifiB
 
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I had a cheap alloy one from Lidl up until last week; it only lasted 3 years so I'd definitely say go for a quality brand. I went for a powder coated steel one by "Hozelock" (distributed by Coopers, I think) this time. I looked at Brabantia and wasn't that impressed- the arms appeared to be angle sections (sharpish edges?) whereas the one I went for had tubular arms with line mounting points fixed to the top (wouldn't weaken the arms and easier to re-string in time, I reckon). This is the third line I've bought and each time the pole diameter is different, why can't they standardise these things?
 
My present one is the best I've had so far - its a Hozelock 4-arm. I think we bought it from Woodies.
 
My Lidl one didn't last very long so it was a waste of money but the hozelock (I think) one from B&Q is doing well, except for the million spiders that have to be removed before using it. Got a free ironing board with it but haven't even taken that out of the packaging yet.
 
I used to work for a company that sold these, All brands mentioned here are of good quality. I would definitely go for the powder coated versions when purchasing, it will be more expensive but will last longer.....

As for the bases - just fill a bucket with concrete, use a mould to shape a hole and bury it into your garden.


S.B.
 
The one in our garden is set into an old car tyre filled with concrete (so not buried as such) and is very solid no matter how windy it is.
 
Carpenter said:
I had a cheap alloy one from Lidl up until last week; it only lasted 3 years so I'd definitely say go for a quality brand. I went for a powder coated steel one by "Hozelock" (distributed by Coopers, I think) this time. I looked at Brabantia and wasn't that impressed- the arms appeared to be angle sections (sharpish edges?) whereas the one I went for had tubular arms with line mounting points fixed to the top (wouldn't weaken the arms and easier to re-string in time, I reckon). This is the third line I've bought and each time the pole diameter is different, why can't they standardise these things?
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Regarding Coopers rotary lines: I have a Coopers Roto-dry "Heavy Duty 150" with 10 year guarantee against rust or corrosion, which covers any parts which fail due the effects of rust or corrosion, not including washing line. This was the heaviest duty, longest guarantee against rust rotary dryer I could find from: B+Q, Atlantic Homecare, 4Home, Homebase or Woodies 17 months ago. It seemed better than the heavy duty Brabantia at the time.

I live in a coastal area and put the line up May 2008.

I have just dug out the guarantee, since it has rusted to pieces. It is in no way rustproof. Rust started appearing after 6 months on the rivets holding any plastic or metal parts together, but was merely cosmetic at that stage. Rust has now gotten under the plastic coating on the main downpole and four main struts across which the line is stretched. The only parts that are not affected are: the line, plastic mouldings and aluminium centre stablising bars. It is utterly unfit for purpose, avoid like the plague. I can no longer close the line as there is too much rust on the main downpole. It is now so bad it will leave rust marks on lighter coloured clothing.

Needless to say I will be referring to their 10 year guarantee against rust or corrosion, but I certainly don't want it "repaired or replaced" as it is complete rubbish.

I'm going to involve Woodies, since a years use of a product which states on the packaging: "heavy duty", "rust resistant", "withstands harsh weather" "10 year guarantee against failure due to rust " is well covered by consumer legislation in the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act.
 
Fair whack to the manager at Woodies. He agreed that it was not fit for purpose, and that the manufacturer was taking the p1$$ selling the line advertised as such. He refunded me and I used the refund to buy some tools I needed from the same store as a gesture of good will.
 
I've discovered that rotary clothes lines are one product that you get what you pay for. Cheaper ones are fine but they rarely last the test of time.
 
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