Ridgid k-400 - Plumbing Zone

Qball415 · 05-11-2011, 08:43 PM

Were not really into the drain cleaning so much as we are other services. I got something in the mail for a ridgid k-400 drain machine, Anyone have one or owned one at one time? What would they work best for?

SlickRick · 05-11-2011, 08:50 PM

Sink machine ,like the Gen. mini rooter. No good for main lines.

Redwood · 05-11-2011, 08:53 PM

The K-400 really isn't much of a machine...

It's a real middle of the road machine which makes it fairly useless...

It is too big for tubs and sinks...
Yet too small for mains....

That means that you are going to need 2 additional machines to get decent coverage on drain cleaning...

I would suggest a K-3800 with 3 drums loaded with 1/4", 3/8", & 1/2" for the smaller drains, and a K-7500 for mains...

Then you don't need a k-400 at all and they can keep selling them to the handy hacks at Home Cheapo...

breid1903 · 05-11-2011, 08:56 PM

imo there are better machines for just about everything. breid.................

Qball415 · 05-11-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breid1903

imo there are better machines for just about everything. breid.................

Everything? I bought a small hand held Ridgid with the 3/8" cable and i was able to clear out showers and sinks no problems. Will i be able to clear out sewers 3" to 4" from building to street?

UnclogNH · 05-11-2011, 09:04 PM

I have a dumpster out back that will fit a K-400
We run into a bunch of those Home owner machines their starting become just like the little hand cranks all kinked up and tossed in the corner.

Will · 05-12-2011, 09:13 AM

If you can get it for real cheap, why not? Just don't put alot of faith in it, cause it's going to let you down.

breid1903 · 05-13-2011, 10:04 PM

just what i said. i use a k-38 for small drains, also. will you be able to clear 3" or 4" drains? not today and tomorrow ain't looking good either. get a mainline machine. i'm a k-60 boy. the drum boys can list their poison. i looked at k-400/300 series, i could not find a fit. a need. may just be me. breid.................

incarnatopnh · 05-16-2011, 10:15 AM

When I went on my own, I was flat broke and needed a machine, any machine. I picked up a k400. Small stuff its ok, cable can be a bit stiff at times. Big stuff, lol! Not a mainline machine but I make do with it until a find a decent price on a real machine. I've had to use some real ingenuity to get the job done at times but if you can get it cheap it will get you started. But plan on upgrading quickly. I modified mine and still use it (bigger motor).

user2090 · 05-16-2011, 11:21 AM

The first machine I bought was a K-400. Like any tool knowing how to use it is key. I have cleared many SINK lines with it. Buy a small hand machine for tubs. I still use the 400 often. I like the low RPMs easy to control.

I recently bought a K-1500 for mainline.

I have used a K-3800 and no doubt it is a good set-up for small drains, but the cost vs. K-400 for a small shop with limited funds is an easy call.

05-11-2011, 08:43 PM	#1
Qball415 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,399 My Photos	Ridgid k-400 Were not really into the drain cleaning so much as we are other services. I got something in the mail for a ridgid k-400 drain machine, Anyone have one or owned one at one time? What would they work best for?

05-11-2011, 08:53 PM	#3
Redwood Certified Lunatic Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 12,342 My Photos	The K-400 really isn't much of a machine... It's a real middle of the road machine which makes it fairly useless... It is too big for tubs and sinks... Yet too small for mains.... That means that you are going to need 2 additional machines to get decent coverage on drain cleaning... I would suggest a K-3800 with 3 drums loaded with 1/4", 3/8", & 1/2" for the smaller drains, and a K-7500 for mains... Then you don't need a k-400 at all and they can keep selling them to the handy hacks at Home Cheapo... __________________ Originally Posted by ToUtahNow: "Okay I believe we have it figured out now." ~Mark~ Originally Posted by ToUtahNow: "As long as the retailer is not breaking the law what's the problem?" ~Mark~ 411 Plumb \| Click Here For A Free Internet Plumbing Directory Listing \| Plumb 411

05-11-2011, 09:04 PM	#6
UnclogNH Drain Cleaning Specialist Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Hampshire, In a town time forgot. Posts: 2,074 My Photos	I have a dumpster out back that will fit a K-400 We run into a bunch of those Home owner machines their starting become just like the little hand cranks all kinked up and tossed in the corner. __________________ Charging less does not mean more call volume it just means you have to work harder to reach your goals.

05-12-2011, 09:13 AM	#7
Will Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Moore, OK Posts: 2,407 My Photos	If you can get it for real cheap, why not? Just don't put alot of faith in it, cause it's going to let you down. __________________ Will Rogers Plumbing (405) 323-2852 Moore, Oklahoma "We Unclog Drains That Others Can't!" http://www.willrogersplumbing.com/ http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Will-Rogers-Plumbing/112198585505675

05-16-2011, 11:21 AM	#10
user2090 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6,333 My Photos	The first machine I bought was a K-400. Like any tool knowing how to use it is key. I have cleared many SINK lines with it. Buy a small hand machine for tubs. I still use the 400 often. I like the low RPMs easy to control. I recently bought a K-1500 for mainline. I have used a K-3800 and no doubt it is a good set-up for small drains, but the cost vs. K-400 for a small shop with limited funds is an easy call. Last edited by user2090; 05-16-2011 at 12:34 PM..

05-11-2011, 08:50 PM	#2
SlickRick Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gilmer, Texas Posts: 8,027 My Photos	Sink machine ,like the Gen. mini rooter. No good for main lines.

05-11-2011, 08:56 PM	#4
breid1903 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: fulton, indiana Posts: 615 My Photos	imo there are better machines for just about everything. breid.................

05-13-2011, 10:04 PM	#8
breid1903 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: fulton, indiana Posts: 615 My Photos	just what i said. i use a k-38 for small drains, also. will you be able to clear 3" or 4" drains? not today and tomorrow ain't looking good either. get a mainline machine. i'm a k-60 boy. the drum boys can list their poison. i looked at k-400/300 series, i could not find a fit. a need. may just be me. breid.................

05-16-2011, 10:15 AM	#9
incarnatopnh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 285 My Photos	When I went on my own, I was flat broke and needed a machine, any machine. I picked up a k400. Small stuff its ok, cable can be a bit stiff at times. Big stuff, lol! Not a mainline machine but I make do with it until a find a decent price on a real machine. I've had to use some real ingenuity to get the job done at times but if you can get it cheap it will get you started. But plan on upgrading quickly. I modified mine and still use it (bigger motor).

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