gear junkie
08-21-2007, 07:47 PM
Me and Rick have agreed to disagree which machine is better. Following the wisdom of the experienced, I bought a K39AF much to my wife's chagrin. Here's my comparison.
K-40-advantages
-guide tube, you can reach and have the guide tube next to the pipe eliminating mess. Also keeps you from holding a 10lb snake for a long time in an awkward position.
-seems to be heavier duty
-feeds and retracts faster
Disadvantages
-Heavy, takes up a lot of space
-the handle on the guide tube is poorly designed
-retracts only in reverse
Improvements needed
-Put the autofeed that's on the k39af on the k-40. This would be the ultimate machine.
K-39AF advantages
-lightweight, takes up less room
-the autofeed is beautifully designed
-don't need to stop and put it in reverse to retract the cable
-2 prong plug, many houses here don't have 3 prong receptacles
-slide chuck
Disadvatages
-the design requires you to hold a 10lb snake when in use
-the short handle puts a lot of torque on your wrist trying to control it.
-question the durability; it's such a small motor
Improvements needed
-increase the handle length to deal with the torque
Which is better- It's a toss up. I like both. The K-40 is definently worth more than a boat anchor as Rick puts it. If you don't have one, I would the get the k-39af as it's a lot cheaper. I don't regret getting the k39af in the least. It's gotten quite some use and will get lots more use in the future.
K-40-advantages
-guide tube, you can reach and have the guide tube next to the pipe eliminating mess. Also keeps you from holding a 10lb snake for a long time in an awkward position.
-seems to be heavier duty
-feeds and retracts faster
Disadvantages
-Heavy, takes up a lot of space
-the handle on the guide tube is poorly designed
-retracts only in reverse
Improvements needed
-Put the autofeed that's on the k39af on the k-40. This would be the ultimate machine.
K-39AF advantages
-lightweight, takes up less room
-the autofeed is beautifully designed
-don't need to stop and put it in reverse to retract the cable
-2 prong plug, many houses here don't have 3 prong receptacles
-slide chuck
Disadvatages
-the design requires you to hold a 10lb snake when in use
-the short handle puts a lot of torque on your wrist trying to control it.
-question the durability; it's such a small motor
Improvements needed
-increase the handle length to deal with the torque
Which is better- It's a toss up. I like both. The K-40 is definently worth more than a boat anchor as Rick puts it. If you don't have one, I would the get the k-39af as it's a lot cheaper. I don't regret getting the k39af in the least. It's gotten quite some use and will get lots more use in the future.