wow dude, great video! I have a 300 and I absolutely love it. the thing is a beast. but I've run across a couple touch kitchen sink clogs that I've been unable to clear with my m12 drain snake or rigid k9-12 flex shaft. I knew I had to get another spartan, and I thought I needed the 100. but you just sold me on the 81!
Nice video. Got a lot of good info. I just started working as a drain cleaning tech id say about a little over a year now and I’ve been on my own doing it now for a handful of months. Worked with various different guys and each one tried to teach differently so its been a little hard to learn the right way since everyone has there style and technique of working. Since I’ve been on my own I’ve been having some trouble with the tub lines. My most recent job i used a brand new cable. I’m. It sure the exact size but the company im working for calls it a “tub cable”. It’s smaller then the one your using in this video and it has a spring like head that you can’t remove. So the trouble I’ve had multiple times using that cable is that it comes out of the tub drain all swirled up and its to the point im unable to use it and need a new one. It gives me a little difficulty jumping the trap but it would go down pretty smooth for the most part till I feel the tension so i stop it let it unwind itself if it needs to the pull it back and while im pulling it back out its all swirled up i guess i would say. It doesn’t really come out with bad kinks just like a spring i would say. So how can i prevent this from happening. I want to become better and learn this more and be able to not screw up the cable. Any tips or advice you have for me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the video and the info. Need more content on this machine since this is one of the main ones i use for sink and tub lines. Once again thanks for the info and my apologies for such a long comment if i could email you personally for help that would be great. Thanks…..
Just a couple points. You have to go slow. It takes some time and experience to get the feel of the cable going in. Also, there's no such thing as a one size fits all solution for drain cleaning. I use both drum and sectional cable machines. My inexpensive Chinese made Steel Dragon sectional was the best investment I've ever made! But I was using Rigid sectionals prior at another company. A sectional is also more flexible for getting through smaller drain turns and p-traps. If your company only provides one solution then you simply have to make due, unless you want to purchase your own machine.
To get past tub drains I find running the machine in burst and slowly going into the trap letting it advance, is the easiest way. If you force it, it won't skip over the trap very easy
New to plumbing, 1 year in, you sold me on the 81, got a new one today. Do you bend the end of the cable so that you can drop down a line... Also would you recommend cutting the coil at the end of the cable in half... it seems kind of long. Thank you for the videos. Ps, where did you get that bucket or the make, love it, want one.
I have the chance to get a model 81 cheap! I have rental properties and want to do the work myself. Think it will get small roots out in a 3 or 4" clay sewer line? Recommend a cable size and cutter? Thanks!
I woiuld get a flex shaft just the bare shaft maybe 3/8 or 1/2" and throw a 4" knocker with carbide cutters on it and youll get those roots. I wouldnt use the model 81 on anything above 2" specially wouldnt use it on roots. Ive pulled small feeder roots out with my model 81 using the 5/16 cable but its way too risky and had i known there were roots I woulda used a different machine. www.Plumber-Tools.com has great cables for a great price.
It's great for residential but I use a pistol rod with ¼" 25' and i have 25' of ⅜" for bathtubs and small stuff in residential and have long lengths of cable in my 100 machine for commercial work. I'll buy one of these one day. Just to have it, I've been using spartan for decades and that will never change!!
Hey gotta question for ya. Do you know why exactly you are supposed to run the spacer ring on the outside of the drum for 5/16 open hook cables but not for other 5/16 cable. What’s the difference?
Bro you will not be disappointed i promise you that! Ive got a few guys that have messaged me telling me they bought 81s cuz of my videos and so far no complaints.
I have a love/hate relationship with that 81 - Most sensitive machine I have ever used, bolts/belts come loose just looking at them - Hate the air-switch (or it hates me). To heavy for this old guy to grab instead of a 30'x1/4" machine every day. But, when going through the abs stub-out, especially when you know it's more than 30' it sure beats putting the 3/8" reel on my M/L machine and lugging that upstairs. (Because you know when you have to do that, it's always an upstairs apartment - just my luck)
I appreciate you video i had my one hundred machine stolen but was trying to get new small drain machine I looked at the 81 model but I was not sure until now saw this video . wanted to know your opinion about flex shaft machine? I am plumbing contractor in southern California Also what do you think of Gorlitz machine ?
My 100 Machine was also stolen I bought the 81 to replace my 100 machine, I love the Flex shaft's they are my favorite tools on my truck! Ive got videos on the channel that shows the flex shafts and what they can do, check them out
I've been using all three sized Gorlitz machines for the past 6 years. They are superb and solid machines, especially with the auto feeds. I don't own the machines, two companies I worked for use them. I own a sectional machine, a steel dragon (a rigid copy) was 1/3 the cost of the the Rigid and it's paid for itself 100x over so far. I'm working on my own now so was interested in the Spartans. I will prob pull the trigger on this model.
Check out the Rigid forums! Many of the plumbers use the Rigid models and others simply built their own by purchasing the flex cables and heads separately. It'd not a one size fits all solution. I asked a local company that's been supplying machines in my area for the last 30 yrs. They said the flex machines are good in certain situations and only if you're running a camera at the same time. At least that's the feedback they've received from their customers. They sell every brand except Spartan unfortunately.
If it's a single level home, sometimes it's easier to go down the vent, especially in older homes with cast iron plumbing. The wyes are not as navigable as the ABS & PVC designs. It's a pain getting on the roof but sometimes necessary. Obviously I'd prefer to do from the sink. A sectional makes roof jobs extremely easy as well. Unfortunately the sectionals can make a nasty mess inside homes with too much buildup in the drains. Also getting on roofs in the Arizona summer heat is a living hell! I like that model 81 and will probably indulge.
FYI, a model 100 can use 5/16, 3/8, 13/32, or 1/2. I have three 100 drums on my truck; 5/16, 13/32, and 1/2. All 75’. The model 81 is a niche machine, and a very good one. The model 100 though, is far more versatile. Also, for any newer drain cleaners watching this, DO NOT use this machine for roots. That’s flat out wrong.
You have no idea how much youve helped me with your tips on drain cleaning. Im a drain cleaner in New Mexico. Thank you for tips.
wow dude, great video! I have a 300 and I absolutely love it. the thing is a beast. but I've run across a couple touch kitchen sink clogs that I've been unable to clear with my m12 drain snake or rigid k9-12 flex shaft. I knew I had to get another spartan, and I thought I needed the 100. but you just sold me on the 81!
Nice video. Got a lot of good info. I just started working as a drain cleaning tech id say about a little over a year now and I’ve been on my own doing it now for a handful of months. Worked with various different guys and each one tried to teach differently so its been a little hard to learn the right way since everyone has there style and technique of working. Since I’ve been on my own I’ve been having some trouble with the tub lines. My most recent job i used a brand new cable. I’m. It sure the exact size but the company im working for calls it a “tub cable”. It’s smaller then the one your using in this video and it has a spring like head that you can’t remove. So the trouble I’ve had multiple times using that cable is that it comes out of the tub drain all swirled up and its to the point im unable to use it and need a new one. It gives me a little difficulty jumping the trap but it would go down pretty smooth for the most part till I feel the tension so i stop it let it unwind itself if it needs to the pull it back and while im pulling it back out its all swirled up i guess i would say. It doesn’t really come out with bad kinks just like a spring i would say. So how can i prevent this from happening. I want to become better and learn this more and be able to not screw up the cable. Any tips or advice you have for me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the video and the info. Need more content on this machine since this is one of the main ones i use for sink and tub lines. Once again thanks for the info and my apologies for such a long comment if i could email you personally for help that would be great. Thanks…..
Just a couple points. You have to go slow. It takes some time and experience to get the feel of the cable going in. Also, there's no such thing as a one size fits all solution for drain cleaning. I use both drum and sectional cable machines. My inexpensive Chinese made Steel Dragon sectional was the best investment I've ever made! But I was using Rigid sectionals prior at another company. A sectional is also more flexible for getting through smaller drain turns and p-traps. If your company only provides one solution then you simply have to make due, unless you want to purchase your own machine.
To get past tub drains I find running the machine in burst and slowly going into the trap letting it advance, is the easiest way. If you force it, it won't skip over the trap very easy
Just got a barely used model 81 for 200. Can’t wait to try it out
Do you happen to know how to change the foot pedal on the model 300? Mines is kind of dented and it’s less responsive than it was before.
Could this machine be used for bathtub lines?
Yes with a 1/4” drop head cable or 1/4” spring head I use it to snake tubs anytime my flex shaft can’t get the clog or make it through the trap
@@PlumbingExplained could you take off the drop head or spring head if needed? Is it easy to remove?
New to plumbing, 1 year in, you sold me on the 81, got a new one today. Do you bend the end of the cable so that you can drop down a line... Also would you recommend cutting the coil at the end of the cable in half... it seems kind of long. Thank you for the videos. Ps, where did you get that bucket or the make, love it, want one.
Yes bend the end of the cable like a w to make a tee in the pipe
That cable in video won’t go down tub overflow right? You switch out to smaller cable?
I have the chance to get a model 81 cheap! I have rental properties and want to do the work myself. Think it will get small roots out in a 3 or 4" clay sewer line? Recommend a cable size and cutter? Thanks!
I woiuld get a flex shaft just the bare shaft maybe 3/8 or 1/2" and throw a 4" knocker with carbide cutters on it and youll get those roots. I wouldnt use the model 81 on anything above 2" specially wouldnt use it on roots. Ive pulled small feeder roots out with my model 81 using the 5/16 cable but its way too risky and had i known there were roots I woulda used a different machine. www.Plumber-Tools.com has great cables for a great price.
@@PlumbingExplained Hello, what length flex shaft cable do you use typically? and 3/8 or 1/2"? Thx for any feedback.
SPARTAN👍 💪
It's great for residential but I use a pistol rod with ¼" 25' and i have 25' of ⅜" for bathtubs and small stuff in residential and have long lengths of cable in my 100 machine for commercial work. I'll buy one of these one day. Just to have it, I've been using spartan for decades and that will never change!!
what do you think of hallow core cable 5/16 for small drain insted of inner core?
Hey gotta question for ya. Do you know why exactly you are supposed to run the spacer ring on the outside of the drum for 5/16 open hook cables but not for other 5/16 cable. What’s the difference?
you right have the 100 with 13/32 , its limited because of spartan head design, never use 81 but thinking i'm sold
Bro you will not be disappointed i promise you that! Ive got a few guys that have messaged me telling me they bought 81s cuz of my videos and so far no complaints.
I like your coverall apron . Where’d u get that? Also what’s size cable is that you’re using?
5/16 inner core with the number 8 end and drop head attachment it looks like
Valuable, helpful information.
Thank you, I really appreciate the comment!
I have a love/hate relationship with that 81 - Most sensitive machine I have ever used, bolts/belts come loose just looking at them - Hate the air-switch (or it hates me). To heavy for this old guy to grab instead of a 30'x1/4" machine every day.
But, when going through the abs stub-out, especially when you know it's more than 30' it sure beats putting the 3/8" reel on my M/L machine and lugging that upstairs. (Because you know when you have to do that, it's always an upstairs apartment - just my luck)
I appreciate you video i had my one hundred machine stolen but was trying to get new small drain machine I looked at the 81 model but I was not sure until now saw this video . wanted to know your opinion about flex shaft machine? I am plumbing contractor in southern California Also what do you think of Gorlitz machine ?
My 100 Machine was also stolen I bought the 81 to replace my 100 machine, I love the Flex shaft's they are my favorite tools on my truck! Ive got videos on the channel that shows the flex shafts and what they can do, check them out
I've been using all three sized Gorlitz machines for the past 6 years. They are superb and solid machines, especially with the auto feeds. I don't own the machines, two companies I worked for use them. I own a sectional machine, a steel dragon (a rigid copy) was 1/3 the cost of the the Rigid and it's paid for itself 100x over so far. I'm working on my own now so was interested in the Spartans. I will prob pull the trigger on this model.
How about Rigid flex shaft ?
Check out the Rigid forums! Many of the plumbers use the Rigid models and others simply built their own by purchasing the flex cables and heads separately. It'd not a one size fits all solution. I asked a local company that's been supplying machines in my area for the last 30 yrs. They said the flex machines are good in certain situations and only if you're running a camera at the same time. At least that's the feedback they've received from their customers. They sell every brand except Spartan unfortunately.
I'm also a drain tech I used the 81 spartan
How do you like it?
@@PlumbingExplained I've been a drain tech since 98 out of New haven CT
If it's a single level home, sometimes it's easier to go down the vent, especially in older homes with cast iron plumbing. The wyes are not as navigable as the ABS & PVC designs. It's a pain getting on the roof but sometimes necessary. Obviously I'd prefer to do from the sink. A sectional makes roof jobs extremely easy as well. Unfortunately the sectionals can make a nasty mess inside homes with too much buildup in the drains. Also getting on roofs in the Arizona summer heat is a living hell! I like that model 81 and will probably indulge.
New to the channel fellow journeyman I like what you've got going here good content
FYI, a model 100 can use 5/16, 3/8, 13/32, or 1/2. I have three 100 drums on my truck; 5/16, 13/32, and 1/2. All 75’. The model 81 is a niche machine, and a very good one. The model 100 though, is far more versatile. Also, for any newer drain cleaners watching this, DO NOT use this machine for roots. That’s flat out wrong.
Hi Bro,,,please call me david rapid rhin 0 plumbink
David send me an email with your number and I will give you a call! Christopher.Stoltenberg@hotmail.com