Date: 12/26/08 3:13 PM

After reading multiple threads on irons, I have decided that I should purchase a gravity feed iron. I have been looking at the DeLonghi steam generator. My only concern about any of the lower end steam generators is that it will die after a year or two.

I have decided a gravity feed would be best, but my DH says NO HOOK in the ceiling. I could iron in the laundry room because the ceiling is not finished but then I can't see the t.v.! (Absolutely paramount when I'm ironing!). I have read mentions about IV stands but wonder if a lower end IV stand could hold the bottle without tipping over?

Another option would be to have my DH make one. I was looking at a DIY bike stand and it would be easy to make, and easy to modify for a holder.

What do you gravity feed iron owners think?

Thanks

Colleen

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Sheldon:" I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!" The Big Bang Theory

"Come to the dark side, we have cookies." Bumper sticker

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." Mae West

New Home 443, Kenmore 19233, Simplicity SE3, Janome CP 1000, Juki 734DE, Singer 201-2, Singer 301A, Singer 201-2, Singer 401A, Singer 404, Singer 15-91, and a Kenmore 1050.

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Reply to wsu 1 fan
Date: 12/26/08 4:04 PM

How big is the bottle and what is the weight tolerance on the IV stand?

Niether dh or Iwould have any issues with a hook in the ceiling, is there any way of negociating that with your dh? Could you hang something else on it when you were not ironing? A hanging lamp, plant etc?

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Fabric in and out 2010
IN: 11 m
OUT: 0

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Reply to wsu 1 fan
Date: 12/26/08 4:05 PM

Hi Colleen,

I think DH is being unreasonable. A gravity feed reservoir usually holds 5 liters of water in one tank, which is too big for an IV pole. It would topple over easily, even if you got a good high-end IV pole. I think I'd rather have a small hook in the ceiling (anchored by a Molly bolt) than risk injury.

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Life is too short to buy cheap fabric.
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com
http://gorgeousthings.blogspot.com/

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Date: 12/26/08 4:17 PM

Gorgeous Things and Michelle T, thanks for the quick reply! I doubted an IV stand would be substantial enough! I might have him look at the DIY bike stand to see if he would build me that. He has a welder...so I am in luck that way.

I would like the hook, and honestly don't think it would be that big of a deal if we sunk it in a stud in the ceiling. How our family room is finished is the sheet rock encases the duct work running across,and I was thinking I could tuck in the hook behind the duct work/sheet rock where I have my shelves for my sewing anyway.

I will ask him when he gets off nights on Sunday morning....he will be less crabby.

The gravity feed iron I'm looking at is the Consew, the one for $99. It appears to have really good reviews, and I'm tired of buying irons! I have purchased 3 in the last year and a half!

I will let you all know what transpires!

Colleen

------
Sheldon:" I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!" The Big Bang Theory

"Come to the dark side, we have cookies." Bumper sticker

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." Mae West

New Home 443, Kenmore 19233, Simplicity SE3, Janome CP 1000, Juki 734DE, Singer 201-2, Singer 301A, Singer 201-2, Singer 401A, Singer 404, Singer 15-91, and a Kenmore 1050.

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Date: 12/26/08 4:29 PM

UPDATE:

I just showed the DH where I want to put the hook, he is now agreeing sticking it in the corner by the duct work would be fine! YAY! Apparently he thought I wanted to put the hook in the middle of the ceiling? Geesh.

Now just to decide on which one I want. Its between the Consew and the Silver Star one (?)....I don't see much difference between the two.

I figured I have spent about $200 in the last two years trying to find an iron I really like!

Colleen
-- Edited on 12/26/08 4:30 PM --

------
Sheldon:" I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!" The Big Bang Theory

"Come to the dark side, we have cookies." Bumper sticker

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." Mae West

New Home 443, Kenmore 19233, Simplicity SE3, Janome CP 1000, Juki 734DE, Singer 201-2, Singer 301A, Singer 201-2, Singer 401A, Singer 404, Singer 15-91, and a Kenmore 1050.

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Reply to wsu 1 fan
Date: 12/26/08 4:52 PM

I think the best solution is from the ceiling. I tried various things and that is what I came up with for my particular situation. I also made a sleeve for the hose/electric cord to keep it from hanging up on things when I iron. It is made from 1000 denier gore-tex and is padded. I had to disconnect the electric cord from the switch in order to run the hose/cable through the closely fitted sleeve. But it wasn't any problem to reconnect the wires as they are color coded and even a non electrician could figure it out. Red to red, blue to blue, and white to white. Here is a picture of the unit in place. I love this iron and don't even use any of the other irons I own now. Steam generator, dry iron or regular steam iron.

John

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Reply to neither
Date: 12/26/08 5:03 PM

John, thank you so much for the great picture! I am going to show this to my DH and tell him this is what I want!

Colleen

------
Sheldon:" I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!" The Big Bang Theory

"Come to the dark side, we have cookies." Bumper sticker

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." Mae West

New Home 443, Kenmore 19233, Simplicity SE3, Janome CP 1000, Juki 734DE, Singer 201-2, Singer 301A, Singer 201-2, Singer 401A, Singer 404, Singer 15-91, and a Kenmore 1050.

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Reply to wsu 1 fan
Date: 12/26/08 6:28 PM

Tell him to get a 1/4" expansion molly bolt. You screw it in and it expands within the wall cavity and that provides an anchor point. If you use a large fender washer underneath the outside of the molly bolt, and underneath the flange of the molly when you are screwing it in, it acts as a base cover for the area around the entry point of the molly so that if screw up the hole size it covers up that boo-boo. You then remove the screw that comes with the molly bolt, after you have seated the molly bolt and replace that screw with an eye bolt of the same 1/4" thread size. This is then screwed down into the molly bolt that is installed in the ceiling with a nut on the threads that will lock against the fender washer and lock everything tight and make it secure. You husband will probably understand this rather technical and might I say, convoluted explanation of how to make the anchor point secure. Tell him to spread out the fluted expansion area of the molly bolt that is inside the wall just a bit before insertion as these 1/4" molly's are kind of tough to start without a little help sometimes. When you get tired of using it in that space or you move and want to return the ceiling to it's pristine condition a little bit of spackle and some sheet rock tape, and with a little light sanding and paint, will make it as good as new, and nobody will be the wiser.
Good Luck,

John

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Reply to wsu 1 fan
Date: 12/26/08 6:49 PM

I think the two irons Consew and Silver Star are one and the same. My gravity feed ($99 from allbrands.com) is a Consew by Silver Star. You will be over the top happy with your new iron!

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Liz

thefittinglife.blogspot.com

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Reply to Sewliz
Date: 12/26/08 8:08 PM

Thanks Liz! That is what I thought! I thought of you when looking at these two because I remembered how happy you were with yours!

Colleen

------
Sheldon:" I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!" The Big Bang Theory

"Come to the dark side, we have cookies." Bumper sticker

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." Mae West

New Home 443, Kenmore 19233, Simplicity SE3, Janome CP 1000, Juki 734DE, Singer 201-2, Singer 301A, Singer 201-2, Singer 401A, Singer 404, Singer 15-91, and a Kenmore 1050.

Next page>>