Steel Dragon Tools K50 Drain Cleaning Machine fits RIDGID Snake Sewer C8 Cable 58980

This is a small, compact drain cleaner and likely all I will need around my home. Search for ridged k-50 you tube to learn how to use this device and to get an idea of the size. This will be small and light enough to use the roof vents, if necessary. I have cast iron pipes and the house is 56 years old. My problem is 'scale'. I wanted a small device to clean the pipes yearly. I got the device today and cleaned my kitchen line with the spade bit in about 30 minutes. That included running the line twice more with larger bits. The sectional snake is easy to use and works great. The job I did today means I can put $150 toward the purchase price, plus I got to be OCD about the job. There is nothing like knowing a job was done complete and right. I decided before I bought this machine that if I needed to clean a 4 inch drain I would just call a plumber. I was thinking about using this into my retirement and did not want a heavy device. If I was planning on cleaning mostly 3 and 4 inch drains, I would go for the K60 or K1500. This unit just does not have the guts for a larger job, except on the occasional time you figure you will go slow instead of going out to rent a larger unit or waiting for a plumber. I have used other units before and consider this a light duty machine.

Used this to clear my 4" main line for the third time. It has worked for me pretty well, not as powerful as you might like but will clear roots from a main line. My problem is about 80' out from my cleanout. I used the coil spring, small cutter and then the 3" cutter I bought later. Had to be patient to get the 3' cutter through, go slow and figure out when it builds up energy and breaks through. I spent a couple of hours and sent it down 3 seperate times.It is much easier to use than one of the belt driven machines, doesn't weigh as much, easier on the back.I do recommend this guy but have wondered if I should have bought the more powerful Rigid with the 7/8' line. Would make the job easier sometime but this unit has paid for itself since the purchase. RotoRouter wanted to charge me $450 to run the main line when it wasn't even clogged. Thus the purchase

I've used this machine several times on two 4" mainlines now, and I think it is well worth the money. I bought an extra cage of cableSteel Dragon Tools 62270 C-8 Drain Cleaner Snake Cable 5/8"x 66' fits RIDGID K-50 62270 65' or so, and have run out all 130' with no issues. The added small drain snake works just as well as the 5/8" cable and cleans smaller drains perfectly! In two uses you have broken even as this is what a plumber would have cost you. By the way get these gloves ShuBee® Ugly Gloves® with Safety Cuff for handling the rotating cable! They work great, give you a great grip while letting the cable rotate. Important for your safety!

This was the third time that our main line was backed up in so many years. The first two times I called a plumber and both times they simply used a machine, similar to this one, to clean out the pipes through the basement floor drain.I decided that I was capable of doing the work and ordered this tool. As a bonus I wouldn't have to juggle my schedule in order to be home, so that I could pay a plumber to do the job.I ran all 65 feet of cable into the pipe a few times, using a variety of different heads. The one that proved to solve my problem was the 3" Funnel Auger.It removed several "flushable" toilet wipes and resolved the slow draining and gurgling sounds coming from our sinks. The "flushable" wipes were the cause of the problem the last time, so I don't know if we didn't get them all or if someone continued flushing them even after we were educated to the fact that they are not flushable.One thing that I didn't know prior to receiving the machine was that it needs to be greased in order to lubricate the rotating parts and prevent rusting. So I bought a mini grease gun and this set of attachments. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RMMXG8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1The unit has two flush zerks so you need a needle fitting in order to inject the grease into the machine.I'm sure that this machine will easily pay for itself, and I look forward to not needing to call a plumber for simple pipe blockages again.

First try, sectional cables broke in main line. Lost 2 sectional cables. They are not welded at the end points unlike ridgid.1) the main machine is not as good as the ridgid, for the price it is pretty good, it doesn't grab the line and turn it as well but for the price it is pretty good.2) the line is junk, use a rigid, it broke first try, in the line.

The machine works, that is the main thing. We managed to get through a tree root, but it had to be done ever so slowly because if you went too fast, you'd kink a section. Thankfully, we had plenty of time and we ended up kinking just the one section. Still, that just sucks. I believe its another case of "inferior Chinese metal" like I'm always hearing about.Also, the small plastic tool box is a joke. Ours was crushed inside the cardboard box because of the way the item is packaged. So, be fore-warned, you'll need to plan on having / using a different tool box. Other than these two things, the machine does work; It's just not going to get the job done quickly by any means.

The snakes and machine worked well. I was able to connect 12 sections to clear the sewer line. The small snakes also worked well. The only problem I had was losing the 1" Spiral Cutter 63015 T-207 (I think) the first time I used for the sewer line. It seemed that the header wire dropped off its base during the work. So the header was lost in the sewer line. This made me very nervous, worrying about if the section snake's wire would fall off during the work. Fortunately I was able to pull all sections snakes back as I counted.The product has a one-year warranty. I sent the seller an email within a month of purchase to ask them for a replacement spiral cutter. But I never received any response.