Painting a room is something almost all of us take on at some time in our lives. For some it’s passion; others a headache. In both cases, tools that work make it better. Like light sabers.
I’m a contractor. I’m also a DIYer in the sense that I’m working on my own house. So getting paint on the walls for me for me is both about the joy of home improvement* and doing a good job profitably. In both cases, tools that get the job done are high on my list and Shur-Line’s Twist N Reach roller frame is something I took a chance on. And I’m glad I did.
[*’Joy’ may be a stretch, but you get what I mean. It’s work, but I wouldn’t keep doing it if I didn’t love it.]
I bought it for about $30 at Lowes (steep money for a roller frame that doesn’t add other value) and it has been well worth it. It’s a Goldilocks for most rooms I paint: Long enough without being too long. Short enough without being too short. And tough enough to make it from job to job. Adjustable. It a word, it’s agile. And that’s what you need when you’re painting a room.
What I like is that Twist N Reach is an adjustable extension pole and roller frame in one. Since most of the walls we paint—and that exist in America—are about 8-feet tall, we need to reach to the top, but not much further. And to the bottom, but not much further.
There’s a second layer to this ‘right-sizing’ for me. Unlike using a longer extension pole painting a room (which you obviously need for taller rooms and arguably the ceiling in an 8-foot room), the 36-inch Twist N Reach enables me to move around muuuuuuch more freely. This is ideal when a room is crowded with ladders, furniture, bump-outs, and other detritus of DIY. I can climb a ladder safely and easily holding the tool and otherwise manipulate it more like a Jedi’s light saber than Darth Maul’s saber staff (I just spent 10-minutes looking up the proper jargon, which I might want back…anyway).
The Twist N Reach telescopes from a typical roller frame size (ideal for tight spots or areas where you want more control, like painting over a door, cabinet or window) to a 36-inch long handle. It’s perfect for most rooms. The twist locks are solid and the telescoping rods are stiff so it works well short or long. I also like that—unlike many cheaper roller frames I have used—the roller cover stays on the roller and doesn’t wiggle off while I paint.
