Alright its been a year of me giving these Flexsh*t machines the benefit of the doubt. I have decided its time for me to do a write up regarding the Flexshaft. I clear probably 2 to 5 drains per week. I have a k9102, k9204, hand spinner with drill attachment, k3800 and k6200 also used a k50 and k750 for years.
This specifically isn't directed at the Rigid 102 or 204 however those are the two flex shafts that I have. I imagine that all manufacturers of this style of drain cleaner would give similar results.
Here is what's good about the flex shaft.
#1 ITS MAKES RIDGID MONEY this is the main thing that the Flexshaft is good at.
#2.5 It makes less mess than a drum or sectional and its easy to carry. When you pull the cable back you can run a rag on it and that keeps things tidy and when its spinning it doesn't fling moisture around and that's pretty much it so when you are doing multiple drain jobs in a day it is nice to not be using a wet machine.
The whole camera down the line at the same time is a nice idea but it doesn't really help you much most of the time. If you are using a flex shaft to clear a 2" line chances are you are not going to put your expensive camera down there any way. And overall I have found the 204 too flimsy for a 3" drain.
I have about a 90% fail rate using the Flexshaft and I pretty much always start with it because I'm hoping I can make quick clean work of a drain job. Unfortunately its hard to push beyond a 90 drop and a few 45s making it pretty much useless for most drain jobs. If you think you are going to push this tool the full length of the cable you will be disappointed. When you hit some resistance its hard to push with one hand so you cant really run the drill at the same time unless you're pulling it back. Same goes with pulling it back and getting it into the machine. I'v had the Rigid Flexshaft drum jam up several times so Iv had to take it apart on site or wrap up the cable and throw it into my van, there's is like 20 bolts to unscrew and the nuts fall out the opposite side which is really annoying. I routinely have the carbon style chains get caught up in cast iron piping for some reason even if the clutch on my drill is set to the lowest setting. Bottom line is that its not reliable for drain jobs and most of the time I go get the k3800 or k6200 with autofeed and that makes quick work of it as it always has and doesn't put strain on my shoulder at the same time. If you understand what I mean about shoulder strain then know this, the Flexshaft is flimsy so too feed it into a clean out you need to get your hand close to the cleanout, so if you are clearing a kitchen sink line you really have to stress your shoulder and push the cable the full depth of the cabinet and within a few inches of the cleanout and this will stress your arm and shoulder a lot. I also do not like how the set screws stick out so much, it just does not seem secure to me.
The flex shaft style drain cleaner is a gimmick of a machine that is a new way for manufactures to make money on a old industry. As a Rigid fan boy I am actually disappointed in the company for putting out this sh*t product. I saw that Rigid is now selling like a mini Flexshaft and I am sure that most of those plastic pieces of crap will end up broken in a landfill within a few months. I actually hate this machine if you cant tell already and pissed that I spent like $3000 on two of them. Oh yeah I also got those brushes that go on the end (they came with the machine), 99% of plumbers will never use these those nylon brushes are freaking trash. For the last year I have been pulling this tool out and within 15 minutes I am asking myself why am I fooling around with this POS and telling myself to go get the actual drain machine.
Form your own opinion but know mine is save your money and do not buy a FlexShaft if you are a service plumber.
That's all folks!
This specifically isn't directed at the Rigid 102 or 204 however those are the two flex shafts that I have. I imagine that all manufacturers of this style of drain cleaner would give similar results.
Here is what's good about the flex shaft.
#1 ITS MAKES RIDGID MONEY this is the main thing that the Flexshaft is good at.
#2.5 It makes less mess than a drum or sectional and its easy to carry. When you pull the cable back you can run a rag on it and that keeps things tidy and when its spinning it doesn't fling moisture around and that's pretty much it so when you are doing multiple drain jobs in a day it is nice to not be using a wet machine.
The whole camera down the line at the same time is a nice idea but it doesn't really help you much most of the time. If you are using a flex shaft to clear a 2" line chances are you are not going to put your expensive camera down there any way. And overall I have found the 204 too flimsy for a 3" drain.
I have about a 90% fail rate using the Flexshaft and I pretty much always start with it because I'm hoping I can make quick clean work of a drain job. Unfortunately its hard to push beyond a 90 drop and a few 45s making it pretty much useless for most drain jobs. If you think you are going to push this tool the full length of the cable you will be disappointed. When you hit some resistance its hard to push with one hand so you cant really run the drill at the same time unless you're pulling it back. Same goes with pulling it back and getting it into the machine. I'v had the Rigid Flexshaft drum jam up several times so Iv had to take it apart on site or wrap up the cable and throw it into my van, there's is like 20 bolts to unscrew and the nuts fall out the opposite side which is really annoying. I routinely have the carbon style chains get caught up in cast iron piping for some reason even if the clutch on my drill is set to the lowest setting. Bottom line is that its not reliable for drain jobs and most of the time I go get the k3800 or k6200 with autofeed and that makes quick work of it as it always has and doesn't put strain on my shoulder at the same time. If you understand what I mean about shoulder strain then know this, the Flexshaft is flimsy so too feed it into a clean out you need to get your hand close to the cleanout, so if you are clearing a kitchen sink line you really have to stress your shoulder and push the cable the full depth of the cabinet and within a few inches of the cleanout and this will stress your arm and shoulder a lot. I also do not like how the set screws stick out so much, it just does not seem secure to me.
The flex shaft style drain cleaner is a gimmick of a machine that is a new way for manufactures to make money on a old industry. As a Rigid fan boy I am actually disappointed in the company for putting out this sh*t product. I saw that Rigid is now selling like a mini Flexshaft and I am sure that most of those plastic pieces of crap will end up broken in a landfill within a few months. I actually hate this machine if you cant tell already and pissed that I spent like $3000 on two of them. Oh yeah I also got those brushes that go on the end (they came with the machine), 99% of plumbers will never use these those nylon brushes are freaking trash. For the last year I have been pulling this tool out and within 15 minutes I am asking myself why am I fooling around with this POS and telling myself to go get the actual drain machine.
Form your own opinion but know mine is save your money and do not buy a FlexShaft if you are a service plumber.
That's all folks!
