What's the best setup?

[Mr.Layhe]

Hey guys,

I've been visiting this site for awhile now. Finally signed up!

I'm a licensed plumber in Ontario, Canada. I've mostly done commercial work. Zero drain cleaning, as we always sub that out.

I've been researching for awhile to try and learn what's the best set ups for drain cleaning.


There's just so many options and opinions, it gets overwhelming.

K60? K50? Sectional, drum? Etc Flexshaft?

I'm just starting out with this endeavor, so I don't need jetters etc yet. Lol.


Thanks in advance!

[PLUMBER RICK]

You can never go wrong with a k-50 5/8'' sectional machine. i'm a big fan of the k-60 5/8''- 7/8'' sectional cable , but recently they upped the design to a k-5208 that will also run the 7/8'' and 1.25'' sectional cables. so that would be my choice now.

My Rick Whackers are holding their ground and causing the jetter and sectional to take a long deserved rest.

Rick

[drainman scott]

If I where starting out again I choose the K-5208 over the K-60 for main drains, the k-50 is a versatile tool for 1 1/2 to 3" drains love mine and for the small drains a k-45. drum machines are bulky and heavy ( especially up and down stairs ) to cart around ( my opinion) though I own many and as you gain experience in drain cleaning you can add more tools to your arsenal. good luck.

[Pro Service]

You can never go wrong with a k-50 5/8'' sectional machine. i'm a big fan of the k-60 5/8''- 7/8'' sectional cable , but recently they upped the design to a k-5208 that will also run the 7/8'' and 1.25'' sectional cables. so that would be my choice now.

My Rick Whackers are holding their ground and causing the jetter and sectional to take a long deserved rest.

Rick

The problem with making your own and it gets stuck and you need to dig 8 feet in the yard with a backhoe, you can be sued and you will lose right away because it's not approved equipment. You will have to buy them a new lawn a new basement floor, new pipes etc. There's a court case where the plumber who lost because of the improper cable size or bit or something like that(It's vague).

[PLUMBER RICK]

It all comes with experience and track record. Over the last 44 years I can count on 1 hand the cables I got stuck and on 2 fingers the cables that wouldn't come back. Out here you could be sued for anything. Fortunately I have insurance and have never needed to use it. I'll take my chances with my Whackers. With hundreds and hundreds of Whacker cleanings and only lost 1 chain. I'll take my chances.

Rick.

[Drain-slayer]

From all the storys you tell sounds like you need to move out of Canada or start doing something else.

[Pro Service]

Drain-slayer You haven't heard 3% of all the side show stories since I opened my circus plumbing company. I posted them in another place.

[Drain-slayer]

After 20 yrs I?ve used pretty much every style machine and for the past 10 yrs my set up consists of a K60 (7/8 cable), K400 (3/8), K45af (5/16), Erickson (1/4?), 2 toilet augers and a 75? flex shaft. My drain calls usually take 10-60 min. I?ve been wanting to buy a k5208 for lines that are 100? plus. I mostly do residential, some restaurants. I have a Spartan 300, k7500 that are collecting dust in my garage because I have no need for that style machine anymore, just to heavy.

[Mr.Layhe]

Hey guys it's been awhile!

As I mentioned in my earlier Post, I'm a licensed plumber. Almost 10 years experience in i.c.i.

Is drain cleaning something you guys think a plumber like myself, can just sort of learn on the fly so to speak?

Obviously, one with little draining cleaning experience would not be able to do is as proficient as most of you, is it still doable? I trust my knowledge of plumbing drainage systems.

I'm looking to slowly start doing my own thing in the side, and clearly drain cleaning is going to be one of the most requested services.

I know it takes years to be as good as someone like Rick, so take it easy on me guys. Lol