need a good drain cleaner (tool)

[jklingel]

My electric snake died and I want to replace it w/ a hand operated one (or hand/electric). I've seen pics of the Ridgid/Kollmann 88387 and a Rospi 8 Plus (never heard of Rospi). Would like a 1/4" coil about 25-30'. Are either of these worth stink? Any others that are good ones? It will get limited use.... hopefully.... but I don't want a piece of what is in the drain. Thanks. john

 

[Sterff]

It all depends on how much money your willing to spend and how often your going to use the tool. When I worked as a line opener we used all Ridgid machines as well as water jets. If your looking for a handheld model we had a small K-39AF model which was handy at times. Most of the time we used larger machines though such as the K-40 or K-3800 for sinks and bath tubs. If your just going to use the machine every once in awhile I don't know if I would drop the cash for an expensive mahine.

 

[Ross]

I have used the Ridgid 88387 Power Spin at home successfully several times. It seems to work really well for what it is. I am sure it is no replacement for someone doing drain cleaning for a living, but for home use it is great. I got it as a replacement for some off brand drain auger I had picked up at Lowes which self destructed on the first use. I don't recall what brand it was but it also claimed you could hook up a hand drill to it, but that just caused it to kink and break. The Ridgid one however worked great. Very easy to feed and retrieve the snake even through multiple bends.

 

[jklingel]

Thanks for the replies. I will see if either of these is in town. john

 

[Danglerb]

My guess is that it depends a LOT on what your drains are like and what is blocking them. If you have roots getting in the lines then nothing but some monster drain rooter will do much good.

We never have main line issues that anything I want to own would fix, but I do use a J shaped bowl auger that doesn't mess up the porcelain and clears stuff right at the toilet that a plunger won't clear.

 

[jklingel]

Dangler: that j shaped deal sounds good. what name/brand/etc do I look for?

 

[jtrace]

That "J" shaped tool is called a closet auger I have a Rigid brand one that works great. The Rental store I worked at for 16 years carried Rigid snakes and they held up very well. We had from small drill snakes up to 150'electric eels...They might be a lttle expensive for homowner use though.....Maybe try used (Craigslist etc...) as they do hold up well.

John

 

[Sterff]

Dangler: that j shaped deal sounds good. what name/brand/etc do I look for?

Yep its a closet auger. They are pretty good for getting things such as pens and urine cups (still trying to figure why they were in a toilet) out of toilets. Obviously they will clear pretty much any clog within 6' or so of the toilet. I own a Ridgid one as well...
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/K3-K6-Toilet-Augers/EN/index.htm

 

[jklingel]

Just bought a Ridgid Power Spin; looks pretty well made, and I liked the 3 rollers on the tip. I ought to work fine for most clogs. That closet auger is gonna get purchased next. We have one toilet that seems to plug way more than the other, and it may need a little nuking prophylacticly. thanks. j

 

[fourfeathers]

Um, may be showing my ignorance, but it took me awhile to figure out that when using the closet auger, you gotta pull it all the way out of the casing before putting it in the bowl, or you will scratch the porcelain. Obvious, I know, but it bit me.

 

[jklingel]

roger that. we all fall asleep on the job now and then. j