1500a vs. 1500b; 3800 v K60

[buyfield]

Trying to decide between 1500 a-frame and b-frame. Is B easier to load (Set handles on tailgate, then lift the other end)? Is B too long for small bath? Does B take up quite a bit more bed space in truck?

My guess is A would be easier inside, B easier to load, A saves bed space.

I will never be using them in crawlspace.

Secondly, have been using 7500 and 3800 for 10 years. How does the 3800 compare to the 60--in terms of power? (1/12 hp universal v. 1/2 hp induction)

Thanks!

[PLUMBER RICK]

Trying to decide between 1500 a-frame and b-frame. Is B easier to load (Set handles on tailgate, then lift the other end)? Is B too long for small bath? Does B take up quite a bit more bed space in truck?

My guess is A would be easier inside, B easier to load, A saves bed space.

I will never be using them in crawlspace.

i have the b frame, sort of like a wheelbarrow. i wouldn't worry about weight. it only weighs approx. 75# and i just lift it into my truck. can't say that about my 7500.

Secondly, have been using 7500 and 3800 for 10 years. How does the 3800 compare to the 60--in terms of power? (1/12 hp universal v. 1/2 hp induction)

Thanks!

the power is not an issue. the 1/2h.p. is plenty for the 7/8'' cable on the 60.
since your new here:thumbup: i will repeat myself for the 100th. time.:D

once you go k-60, you'll get rid of your 7500 and 3800:eek:

just wait till ben and a few others jump in;)

the 60 is the most universal machine i have. and i have them all x3:eek:

it does 90% of what i encounter everyday. from commercial to residential.

why do you think i call it the "impressionator":confused:

welcome to the forum and read some old post for 99% of your questions and answers;)

[gear junkie]

I'm jumping in. I have a 3800 and a k-60 so I can give you a real word comparision between the two. The 3800 doesn't compare in the least. I'm actually thinking about selling my 3800 because it just sits there since I got my K-60. A 3800 is good IMO for laundry, kitchen drain lines. The k-60 is good for that and everything else. The k60 has a much more balanced power. Strong motor but not so strong you can damage your cables in a bind. Easily handles roots. Go through the drain cleaning discussion and read every thread.

Ben

[PLUMBER RICK]

didn't i tell you ben would jump in.

now if you really want to see a k-60 in action, come to the ridgid round up and see me smoke the drum boys:D

there was a job yesterday that the k-60 couldn't get through:eek:

brand new city dog pound that the area drains were plugged. i went out 76' with 3 different cutters and could get through the 4'' sdr 35 pipe. then i took out the seesnake and located the spot.

seems the pipe ended at the 36'' tree box that was installed by the backhoe a couple of weeks ago. pipe was 1'8'' deep and tree well was 3' deep.

the backhoe/ landscaper will think twice next time they break a line and bury it without letting the supt. know. a 1 hour repair is a lot cheaper than a 20 mile drive and snaking and Camera-ing:smack-head:

rick.

wait till all clear tries to b.s. you about the drum:duck:

[buyfield]

Thanks. Rick, do you prefer your b frame over the a frame for any reason, or would you be just as likely to grab the a frame as the b frame, if you had them both? Catalog says 1500 weighs around 120 lbs--how convinced are you that it's only 75ish?

Ben: do you have any A vs. B frame input? Since you said the 60 has enough power but not too much, so as to not break the cable, would that be a reason to buy the 1500 instead of the 1500SE--would the 1500SE be more likely to break a cable than the 1500?

Thanks.

[gear junkie]

I have no experience with the 1500. My biggest line here is 4" so I have no reason to upgrade to a 1500. I get the "Cleaner" magazine and have noticed a trend with the companies they highlight each month uses either A)1500 B)K-60 C)drum machines from a different company.

Looking thorugh the catalog, I think I would prefer an "A" frame since you can carry a spool of cable, tools and guide hose on the frame. The "B" frame would require 2 trips.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Thanks. Rick, do you prefer your b frame over the a frame for any reason, or would you be just as likely to grab the a frame as the b frame, if you had them both? Catalog says 1500 weighs around 120 lbs--how convinced are you that it's only 75ish?

i got a deal on the b frame, but would prefer the a frame since it would fit in my truck better and hold the cable carrier too. the b is a low profile machine and probably more of a special application machine and not an everyday machine.

as far as the weight goes. the 120# is probably the shipping weight with the rear guide hose. i know i paid for the freight for this on a pallet. i can't find the actual weight of the bare machine, and would need to put it on my friends shipping scale. since the machine is no longer on my truck, thanks to the k-60:D it would require me to load it, and take it to his shop.

i do know that i have no problem getting it on and off my truck. i don't roll it on, i dead lift it. i know it's closer to 75# than the 120# you listed.

Ben: do you have any A vs. B frame input? Since you said the 60 has enough power but not too much, so as to not break the cable, would that be a reason to buy the 1500 instead of the 1500SE--would the 1500SE be more likely to break a cable than the 1500?

Thanks.

rick.

[buyfield]

I'm convinced. A-frame it is. And a 60. Thanks. Very helpful. Rick and Ben: do you use the 60 on tubs?

[PLUMBER RICK]

I'm convinced. A-frame it is. And a 60. Thanks. Very helpful. Rick and Ben: do you use the 60 on tubs?

typically on a tub through a trap/ overflow, i will use a handgun. i love my new k-39 pf with the dual feeder.

through a 1.5'' or a 2'' c/o i will run the 5/8'' sectional cable from my k-50 or the k-60.

now if you had to buy just 1 machine. i would suggest the k-60 as the most universal machine.
the 1500 is a workhorse for the large nasty stuff, but can't do the everyday bread and butter;)

you will love the k-60. just as everyone else who has bought 1. i havn't heard 1 bad knock about the k-60 yet:thumbup2:

rick.

[gear junkie]

For tubs w/o I use a power spin and this is the only thing I use that snake for. I use my k-39af for sinks. If I can see the clogged line is 2" and there are no big bends, I'll just stick with my 7/8" cable and run through it with a straight leader. I only do this if I can visually see the line such as a crawlspace and only if it's pvc. If it's cast I'll use switch to a 5/8" cable with a c-cutter.

Do not be dissapointed when you first buy your sectional. There's a big learning curve and you need to be more physical using it. You can't just wheel it to the cleanout and turn it on. The setup time is longer but the overall proccess time is much shorter and with better results. I may buy a drum machine in 30 years when I'm too weak to deal with the sectional but for me it's what I'll stick with.

[Herk]

There's a big learning curve and you need to be more physical using it.

I used to use a General with 50' drums, and I pulled a lot of cable by hand, using the feed only when I hit the clog. I always thought the drum was too small and made pulling the 3/4" cable a real shoulder killer. Is it more physical than that?

[buyfield]

Thanks Rick and Ben. I use a 25 handspinner for tubs--similar to powerspin.

It sounds like the 60 may not be able to do 1 1/2 galvanized lav drain, which means either the 25/powerspin, or else I would have to keep loading the 3800 (3/8 or 5/16) in addition to the 60, which I was hoping not to have to do.

My main interest in switching from the 3800/7500 to 60/1500 is easier to load/unload, to try a more flexible cable than the innercore (I get hung up at some point about half the time)and to be able to easily add extra cable if need be. Also, the discussion on this forum about sectional machines has intrigued me in regard to performance--I'd like to give them a try. And thirdly, a bonus would be easily knowing exactly how far in I am.

Which is to say, I'd like to be able to throw on the 60 and the 1500 and go, but if the 60 won't do 1 1/2 galv . . . (Catalog says it will do 1 1/4)

I appreciate everyone's input.

[gear junkie]

It'll definently do 1 1/2" gal with the 5/8 cable.

Herk; I've only used a drum machine with the autofeed so I can't compare.

[PLUMBER RICK]

buyfield , the 60 will run both the 5/8'' sectional cable and the 7/8''. the 5/8'' is the same cable as the k-50 runs. 1.5'' lines are easy to clear with a 5/8'' sectional cable. not a 5/8'' drum cable. now going through a 1.5'' p-trap with 5/8'' sectional can be ruff. that's where the hand gun comes in;)

the 1500 is a heavy duty machine. sure it is lighter than a fully assy.. 7500 with 100' of cable, but then you have to factor in the 105' of 1.25'' sectional cable weight. 7- 15' sections = 105';) the total weight is more than the 7500, but the weight of any piece is less than the 7500.

i would start with the k60 first before you get into the 1500. there are other tricks that gene bickford and i use with a drill;) the 60 should do 90% of the work like it does for me;)

rick.

[buyfield]

Rick, I'll look back through the old posts for yours and Gene's drill trick.

"90% K60." Do you even bring the 1500 along?

So in other words, no reason to have both a 39 and a 60. But Ben brings both, it sounds like. Ben?

Rick, if your next door neighbor had a stoppage (4") between house and main, accessible with ground level cleanout, and your 1500 were sitting right next to your 60, which would you grab?

I'm very impressed with this forum, if I hadn't said that yet.

[Herk]

I've only used a drum machine with the autofeed so I can't compare.

My General had an autofeed on it - but I wasn't about to wait until it fed the entire cable. Maybe because I had previously used an old Burton Powersnake that was manual feed and that's what I was used to.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick, I'll look back through the old posts for yours and Gene's drill trick.

actually it's gene's trick. i use it with genes permission;) basically we use a male coupler on the end of a 1/2'' 300 rpm drill (timberwolf with clutch) and spin the sections of cable into the line. we both use 10' sections of 1.25'' general cable:eek: 15' ridgid would work, but you need to be careful with 15' out from opening.

"90% K60." Do you even bring the 1500 along?
just the 134' of 1.25'' cable right now. 13-10' sections and 1-4' section of cable.

So in other words, no reason to have both a 39 and a 60. But Ben brings both, it sounds like. Ben?

wrong. i keep 3- k-39 on the truck. 2 with power feed and 1 with a chuck.

Rick, if your next door neighbor had a stoppage (4") between house and main, accessible with ground level cleanout, and your 1500 were sitting right next to your 60, which would you grab?

depends on the track record. but i would defitnatly start with the k-60, 7/8'' cable. the only cutter i don't run on the 7/8'' is my 4''x6'' expanding cutters. chances are the k-60 is all i will need and i've tested it to 6'' with good results. not standard cable but not custom either:D

I'm very impressed with this forum, if I hadn't said that yet.

me too:D i have had a chance to personally meet half a dozen guys on the forum and talk to another hand full.
josh is responsible for making the forum work and listens to our wants and needs;)

stick around and get a chance to let the other guys throw in their years of knowledge. probably the best mix of plumbers on any forum out there;)

rick.

[gear junkie]

I keep the k60 with 150 ft of 7/8, 60 of 5/8 cable, k-3800 w/ 90 of 1/2 ic and a k-39af with a 5/16 ic 35' cable. I would grab the k-60 just because of how light it is. I've used the 3800 just 1 or 2 times since getting my 60. I keep it on the truck because I'll need it as soon as I take it off the truck.

[buyfield]

Rick: the drill trick is to keep from having to haul the 1500 around? How often do you employ this trick?

Ben: no 1500 for you either?

Maybe I don't need one (a 1500), but I was really looking forward to having "the best all around sewer machine."

[Gene Bickford]

BEST ALL AROUND SEWER MACHINE: Buyfield meet Edith

[drtyhands]

Everytime I see this photo Gene it puts a smile on my face.So efficient,job done,NEXT!!
Nice fabrication.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick: the drill trick is to keep from having to haul the 1500 around?correct as the k-60 is good for 90-95% of everything.
How often do you employ this trick?
tomorrow on a 120' stoppage in a 6'' line for my buddies shop. he spent the better part of a day on it. i'll see it in the morning.



Ben: no 1500 for you either?

Maybe I don't need one (a 1500), but I was really looking forward to having "the best all around sewer machine."
start with the k-60 and you'll be good for most anything. you can then purchase the k-1500 or of course keep your 7500 and save some money;)

rick.

[buyfield]

Rick, I'm going to do exactly what you recommend. Hopefully get a 60 in next day or two. Which you had already convinced me of. But I'll wait a little while on the 1500--which is where I was struggling. Although if I didn't have a perfectly good 7500 sitting over there, I would go ahead and get the 1500 also.

For future info, how does my 7500 with 5/8 compare to the 1500 with 1 1/4?

Thanks.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick, I'm going to do exactly what you recommend. Hopefully get a 60 in next day or two. Which you had already convinced me of. But I'll wait a little while on the 1500--which is where I was struggling. Although if I didn't have a perfectly good 7500 sitting over there, I would go ahead and get the 1500 also.

For future info, how does my 7500 with 5/8 compare to the 1500 with 1 1/4?

Thanks.

it doesn't. it's closer to the k-60 with 7/8'' cable. if you want to upgrade fairly cheap, spend a few hundred dollars on the 3/4'' innercore cable.
as long as you have a good 7500, then you should be set.
personally, i think you will be using the k-60 more than you know. the 7500 will get little use.

out of curiosity, did the 7500 with 5/8'' cable not cut it for you? or was it too heavy of a set up to get up and down?

you could always remove the cable or drum if needed, but that takes some time and is not anything i ever did. what i did do was carry extra cable in 25' and 50' lengths. this was easier to load into the drum and get the job done faster than swapping drums or working another 100' cable.

rick.

[Gene Bickford]

"actually it's gene's trick" RICK.
Actually the idea was passed on to me, but I have perfected it;)

[buyfield]

Rick: I like the 7500 once it's on the ground, but I get tired of loading and unloading it. Load, then unload, then load, then back home and unload. Then two hours later, load then unload then load then unload. Hurts my back and knees and feet.

7500 still in excellent condition, but I was about to buy 150' of 3/4 plus the leader plus the pigtail. ($400) So, was thinking of putting money on something easier to load/unload.

Secondly, I'd like to try sectional, as a result of a lot of what you guys have said on this forum--regarding better performance, better feel.

I get hung up (on fittings) a lot, so I'd like to try an open wind.

I'd like to know how far in I am.

I'd like to be able to add extra cable easily when exceeds 100'.

I'd like to be able to more easily keep the cable from rusting.

Out of everything, easier to load and unload is main reason. I've always been happy with the drum. I like the foot pedal. I've only had the cable turnover a couple of times. The 7500 is a very well built machine. I like the cutter assortment for the 7500. Mine is still in excellent condition.

Easier to load, unload, and then second biggest reason is I'd like to see if open wind will keep from getting stuck so often. Everytime I get stuck I almost get out of the plumbing business.

The thing I'm nervous about with a sectional is inside work--especially if I have to pull back out without having cleared the stoppage. But I'm going to try the 60 for sure.

I welcome yours and everyone else's input. Thanks.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick: I like the 7500 once it's on the ground, but I get tired of loading and unloading it. Load, then unload, then load, then back home and unload. Then two hours later, load then unload then load then unload. Hurts my back and knees and feet.

sounds like you need a bigger truck:D i have a electric winch and crane arm in my truck. great for jetters, drums and large water heaters by myself.

7500 still in excellent condition, but I was about to buy 150' of 3/4 plus the leader plus the pigtail. ($400) So, was thinking of putting money on something easier to load/unload.

wait till you have used the k-60. you might not want another machine.

Secondly, I'd like to try sectional, as a result of a lot of what you guys have said on this forum--regarding better performance, better feel.

I get hung up (on fittings) a lot, so I'd like to try an open wind.

I'd like to know how far in I am.

great feature of the sectional cables is the easy counting of footage.

I'd like to be able to add extra cable easily when exceeds 100'.

90' fits easily in the carrying cage and is lite enough to carry the cage with 90' and the k-60 in the other hand.

I'd like to be able to more easily keep the cable from rusting.

the open cage will allow you to wash out and spray oil/ wd40/ snake oil on it.

Out of everything, easier to load and unload is main reason. I've always been happy with the drum. I like the foot pedal. I've only had the cable turnover a couple of times. The 7500 is a very well built machine. I like the cutter assortment for the 7500. Mine is still in excellent condition.

there is no foot pedal, but the instant acting clutch is even a better, safer feature. instant action from the clutch and no overrun, no turnover.
the cutter selection is even a better choice with the sectionals. high speed cleans and cuts better.

Easier to load, unload, and then second biggest reason is I'd like to see if open wind will keep from getting stuck so often. Everytime I get stuck I almost get out of the plumbing business.

The thing I'm nervous about with a sectional is inside work--especially if I have to pull back out without having cleared the stoppage. But I'm going to try the 60 for sure.

inside is a little more time consuming as you have to take precautions to keep it clean. outside is fast and easy. inside is doable without any issues. just a little more time to be clean.

I welcome yours and everyone else's input. Thanks.

buy it, you'll like it. if not, there are a dozen others here that will buy it from you, including me:smack-head:

rick.

and when you do buy it, we'll give you some pointers to get ahead of the learning curve. in fact if you want to get a quick hands on demo, come to the ridgid roundup and watch us sectional guys school the drum guys:duck:

[rick1643]

buy it, you'll like it. if not, there are a dozen others here that will buy it from you, including me:smack-head:

rick.

and when you do buy it, we'll give you some pointers to get ahead of the learning curve. in fact if you want to get a quick hands on demo, come to the ridgid roundup and watch us sectional guys school the drum guys:duck:



Yes.....but how do you REALLY feel about the K-60 Rick, do you get commisions on the sales you generate???:D The Other Rick

[gear junkie]

Yes.....but how do you REALLY feel about the K-60 Rick, do you get commisions on the sales you generate???:D The Other Rick
He should get something from Ridgid and Mark as well. They just have a big heart and want to help people out.

[Josh]

We don't pay Rick a dime. He is just the k-60 super fan. Mark converted him and now he is trying to convert the world. :D

[buyfield]

Rick, you're right about the 1500 weighing closer to 75 lbs than 120 lbs. Not anywhere close to 120.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick, you're right about the 1500 weighing closer to 75 lbs than 120 lbs. Not anywhere close to 120.

and i thought everything was bigger in texas:D

did you buy the 1500a or 1500b yet:scratchhead:


rick.

[buyfield]

Not yet. I'm going to make sure I'm okay with sectional first. Got the K60 last week, have used it twice. Will talk about it in a new thread in the drain cleaning section. You had mentioned keeping the 7500 instead of getting 1500, for those rare occasions where the 60 won't get it. So I'm running that through my head, and meanwhile will be testing out the 60. If I do get the 1500, will get the A, per your recommendation.