Hello

[BillyW]

Hello

I have been reading this forum for a couple of weeks and finally thought it

was time to join in.

I am a plumber from the UK who moved to Perth, W Australia in 2005.

I have not been involved in too much drain clearing in the past but have

now feel it is an opportunity to expand my business .

The advice and tips on here have got me thinking that this could be a

profitable career here in Perth.

I hope I can learn from you guys and hope I can give a little back with

my 22 yrs UK and 2 (!) years Australian experience....

Regards

Bill

[Service Guy]

Welcome! 24 years plumbing and no drain-cleaning! Why the change now? Just curious.

[BillyW]

Thanks mate,

UK mainly Central heating, bathroom and kitchen installation.

Drain clearing usually done by specialised companies.

Now I'm here in Oz I have decided to focus on maintenance which

involves more blockage clearing.

I have just ordered a k-50-4 from USA which is nearly $1300 cheaper

than if I bought it from OZ! (including the $300 shipping!!)

Bill

[PLUMBER RICK]

ga day mate:D

before you do something stupid and buy a drum machine:eek:

do your homework and get a k-60:way-to-go:

welcome to the forum:)

rick.

[PLUMBER RICK]

bill the k-50 is a very good machine;)

there are a few choices with heavier cables available for 5/8''.

but the k-60 will do 4'' and (6'' with upgraded cable) with roots.

it will also run the 5/8'' k-50 cable. the only thing it wont do is the k-50 drum adapters.

is it too late?
is this just a start off machine?
will you be doing outside drains with roots?

rick.

[BillyW]

Thanks Rick,

From what I have read you LOVE drums...

I can't comment as yet.

I am allowed to import up to $1000 AU before I am charged duty and

silly costs. The K-50 comes in just under and saves me a packet as

I posted before.

I am intersted in the drain/ waste clearing as have never really tried it before.

There appears to be lack of dedicated 'drain clearing' firms in my area

so maybe there is a niche?

I know back in the UK it was big business, some sewers being over 100 years old and many over 30ft deep

Bill

[All Clear Sewer]

Thanks Rick,

From what I have read you LOVE drums...

Bill
:killingme:

[BillyW]

I think this will be a start off machine. This costs me the same as a K-39

would in OZ. I gather the K-50 won't do roots on a 4" main?

I'll be honest I wouldn't know how a 5/8 handled from a 5/16.

I don't know what cutters, augers or bulbs are best...

Is a drum worth getting for the k-50? I have moved to the most remote

capital city in the world and they don't have the tools here:(

It is a great place but I wish I had the choice of tools you guys have!

Thanks for the welcome guys

[BillyW]

:killingme:

Sorry old chap

Sarcasm

;)

[PLUMBER RICK]

I think this will be a start off machine. This costs me the same as a K-39:eek:

would in OZ. I gather the K-50 won't do roots on a 4" main? there is a heavier cable c-9 that will do 4'' and small roots. still the machine is only 1/6 horse power

I'll be honest I wouldn't know how a 5/8 handled from a 5/16.

I don't know what cutters, augers or bulbs are best...

i prefer the straight auger t-201, the bulb t-202, and the 4 balde cutter
t-213, 214, 215. the drop head t-217 when required , but use it with care as it can get damaged easier.

Is a drum worth getting for the k-50?

i have a couple, but i prefer the k-39 over the drum adapters.


i have moved to the most remote

capital city in the world and they don't have the tools here:(

It is a great place but I wish I had the choice of tools you guys have!

Thanks for the welcome guys

read, ask, and try.

you'll be 1 of us in no time:hug:

rick.

[BillyW]

Thanks Rick

I am looking forward to receiving the machine and trying it out.

You and the rest of the forum's advice is greatly appreciated.

I guess I will have to get a feeling of using a section machine on smaller

lines first.

Off to bed now

Thanks again

Bill

[gear junkie]

Welcome to the forum, couple of suggestions; read this entire section on draincleaning and you'll learn alot. Buy the book "the professional drain cleaner and sewer handbook". The only place I've seen the book sold is on the Spartan website. Watch the training videos on the ridgid and general site but take their instructions with a grain of salt. Their videos aren't realistic but gives you a basic understanding of the machines use. To learn about the k50, watch the k60 training video. It's a different machine but the basic operation is the same.

Ben

[stokefire7]

Hey Billy

[HVAC HAWK]

hay bill welcome

[BillyW]

Thanks for the tips and advice fellas (and warm welcome!)

I am reading all I can before my machine gets here.

I will have a go on my own house to get a feel of the machine

before taking it on the road.

Bill

[All Clear Sewer]

Sorry old chap

Sarcasm

;)
No need to be Sorry right now ;) save that for later when you wish you could run 200` and that crazy little box is flipping around all over the place cause you struck the mother load... :killingme:

Now thats Sarcasm :killingme:

[atlas sewer]

hiya bill and welcome to the forum.......so there isnt alot of sewer and drain cleaners in perth huh......well if i can talk the mrs in moving to the outback ill give u a run for your money mate........lol.....john c

[BillyW]

Cheers John

I have lost a couple of jobs by not having the equipment to clear out

small lines. Got me thinking that I have not seen many dedicated

'Drain clearing' companies advertising in Perth. I have only just started

here in OZ. Back in the UK if I we couldn't clear it with a set of rods we rang

a drain team.

I will give the k-50 a try when it arrives and see how I go. I am plumber

first and foremost but I am pushing to become more maintenance

orientated, therefore I need to start clearing drains!

Bill

[dabbi]

Hi Billy,

did you take into account that the guys in the states have 115 Volt only??

Cheers, Dabbi

[BillyW]

Cheers Dabbi

You are correct but many of the tool stores carry the 230v machine

for export. I cannot believe that I can have it delivered from Ohio to Perth

for half the price it would cost to buy here!

Bill

[gear junkie]

I made the offer to one of your fellow Aussie's that I would get him a seesnake and fly to Australia and give it to him and it would still cost hundreds less than if he were to buy it there.

[dabbi]

Hi,

the importer here in NZ is the same. I wanted to buy the ridgid waterblaster KJ 3000, sold here for NZ $13 000, the same machine in the US costs USD 4800, which is NZ $ 5600:mad:.

So they would charge more than twice the price. Having confronted the sales rep with that, he mentioned that we are so remote and shipping costs.....

All bulls..., They are just a greedy bunch of thieves, taking advantage if the fact that we have not much choice here down under.

The same with the Seesnake and Scout Locator. I purchased mine from Germany when I shipped my see container anyway. Saved me 1000s of dollars, no joke.:D

Cheers, Dabbi

[AFM]

Hi,

the importer here in NZ is the same. I wanted to buy the ridgid waterblaster KJ 3000, sold here for NZ $13 000, the same machine in the US costs USD 4800, which is NZ $ 5600:mad:.

So they would charge more than twice the price. Having confronted the sales rep with that, he mentioned that we are so remote and shipping costs.....

All bulls..., They are just a greedy bunch of thieves, taking advantage if the fact that we have not much choice here down under.

The same with the Seesnake and Scout Locator. I purchased mine from Germany when I shipped my see container anyway. Saved me 1000s of dollars, no joke.:D

Cheers, Dabbi

OK I am all ears how did you import your 230v seesnake from Germany and what was the import duties,freight etc as i am thinking of getting a seesnake mini which is around $7,700 here in Aus, as I bought a seesnake plus earlier this year, I emailed a croud called PowerTool in Ohio in the U.S. and asked about the seesnake but got no answer at the time so just left it at that and bought it here in Aus.

Tony