Helped out a fellow OP CCer today who separated his shoulder over the holiday and had a chance to use your hand tool as you suggested and it worked great. I wonder if you've sourced a heavier duty tool (more Hp). The one you provided in your starter kit works fine but just like the floor machines more power can be good.

Mike

BTW - I was so pleased with the hand tool I encaped the carpet in my Tahoe and experimented with the Envirex Brush & Bonnet - Encapsulating Bonnet Cleaner. The product worked great. Still would like to know if anyone else uses/used Envirex

Re. other stair tool options: Challenger sells a larger and heavier one on its website - about $350. I found it tiring and cumbersome to use on stairs, so I designed a handle for it, and now use it as a small area floor machine. oou could als look into Argo's Argonaut (http://www.argoco.com).