Using sectional cables with drill adaptor

I just purchased 10 sections of 5R-10 cable 7/8" open wound cable 5' long. I wont to use them with a drill adaptor sometimes inside or in tight spaces. You can spin it really fast and use chain knockers ort slot type of connections for flex shaft to do high speed cleaning and removing of buildup in old drains. I can still use a camera just not while it is spinning. The sections aren't cheap $45 apiece but very durable and you only kink one at a time.

Here are some drill adaptors

People have made a 5/8" drill adaptor out of an old piece of 5/8" sectional cable and a screwdriver driver extension in a battery drill kit. I guess you cut off the cable and you screw it on to the adaptor and it fits snug.

Decided to get two flex shafts from Plumber-tools they are out of Finland (pocote resini?)
I got the 10 meter with 8mm flex shaft 1 1/2" to 2" PVC kit
20 meter with 10 mm flex shaft 3" to 4" PVC descaling kit

I can always put more aggressive cutters (carbide) on the flex shaft a have a few around
most of my drains seem to be ABS.

This is why I joined the forum...

Are there any videos of this process? It seems like the cable would flop around and splatter. I'm guessing you're going low speed as you feed the cable in?

7/8" open wound sectional cable is strong and flexible. I would run it 2000 rpms myself. I am buying the 5' sections to avoid it twisting up if it gets coiled up.
Look on you tube for examples This a a German guy I like to watch really skilled. I read the captions he uses sectional cable with a drill
If you watch his videos he has lots of attachments for his cable some are probably home made.

rooterboy said:

This would work great for cleaning a stoppage, but you can also unscrew the cutter and put on a grinding wheel like View attachment 132778 View attachment 132779

Click to expand...

Just be like Terry.
Don’t put it in reverse!

I don't understand why we aren't using polymer cutting heads, something that won't damage pipes but will destroy clogs. Why don't rotary tools have like fins to propel the water forward, like a long corkscrew, since soft stoppages are the usual time cables become worthless

rooterboy said:

7/8" open wound sectional cable is strong and flexible. I would run it 2000 rpms myself. I am buying the 5' sections to avoid it twisting up if it gets coiled up.
Look on you tube for examples

This a a German guy I like to watch really skilled. I read the captions he uses sectional cable with a drill
If you watch his videos he has lots of attachments for his cable some are probably home made.

Click to expand...

This is what I was worried about, cable flipping and doing the pretzel roll. But it seems the cable wasn't kinked? Very interesting.

A piece of poly pipe fitted inside another to create a telescoping guide would be pretty slick. Think like a closet auger.

Froggy said:

I don't understand why we aren't using polymer cutting heads, something that won't damage pipes but will destroy clogs. Why don't rotary tools have like fins to propel the water forward, like a long corkscrew, since soft stoppages are the usual time cables become worthless

Click to expand...

If you're damaging pipes with metal cutter heads you're doing it wrong.

Plastic heads would shatter/melt/bend to a useless shape.

Froggy said:

This is what I was worried about, cable flipping and doing the pretzel roll. But it seems the cable wasn't kinked? Very interesting.

A piece of poly pipe fitted inside another to create a telescoping guide would be pretty slick. Think like a closet auger.

Click to expand...

Make one and show us.

Froggy said:

This is what I was worried about, cable flipping and doing the pretzel roll. But it seems the cable wasn't kinked? Very interesting.

A piece of poly pipe fitted inside another to create a telescoping guide would be pretty slick. Think like a closet auger.

Click to expand...

He has produced many videos using his home made flex shaft and his sectional cable with a drill adaptor. He seems to have had good results for lots of jobs.

Just for general information I emailed "Plumbers Tools" and asked how to lubricate my new flex shaft since they ship it dry. They said they use Machine oil because it remains stable in high heat. He also stated some people use graphite grease. He also stated I could use compressor oil or paraffin oil.

For my homemade flex shaft I just used marine grade grease. I will probably use compressor oil since I have a couple of quarts already.

Hope this info is helpful.

Yes I remember the nice smell on on drum machine after I poured some snake oil in in and ran it. Thanks for the advice.

It can be cleaned up with soap and water, if it drips on floor going into a house