Figured out I was using the wrong suction cup size for years

Was working on a big storefront in Portland last month and kept losing grip on a 6-foot panel. My journeyman walks over, hands me a 10-inch cup, and says try this. Never realized the 8-inch cups I always grabbed just didn't have enough surface area for heavy glass. Anyone else just grab whatever cup is closest?

3 comments

3 Comments

colemartinez1mo ago

Wait are we really acting like this is some kind of life changing revelation? I mean yeah bigger cup gives you more grip obviously but its not like 8 inch cups are useless for everything. Sounds more like you just had the wrong tool for that specific job which happens all the time. Ive seen guys pull heavy panels with 6 inch cups no problem as long as the glass is clean and the cup is in good shape. Bet you could have gotten away with your 8 inch if you cleaned the glass first and used a pump cup. Honestly this seems like a humblebrag about your journeyman more than anything else.

the_jason1mo ago

Paul117's got a point, bigger cup saves your hands and I'm just out here trying not to drop a $500 sheet of glass on my foot.

paul1171mo ago

@colemartinez youre right that clean glass and a pump cup wouldve helped but i think youre missing the part where the bigger cup just makes it easier on your hands lol. Ive been in spots where the seal was questionable and the weight kept shifting and a 6 inch wouldve been rough. Not saying 8 inch cups are garbage just that once you get used to a bigger one for heavy stuff you notice the difference fast. Plus if the glass has any kind of coating or residue a bigger surface spreads the load way better. Ive seen guys get away with smaller cups on dirty glass and its always a battle.