Description
Lightweight, simple, and effective. Why lug around heavy equipment when a shaft and chains will work just as well?
This blockage removal kit is by far our most popular product. Not just because 3″–4″ pipes are the most common size or because blockages occur more frequently than descaling jobs, but because this kit takes up minimal space in your van and is easy to carry.
The shaft is made from spring-grade steel, which has been wound in opposing directions to give you equal torque in both directions of rotation, making it easy to retract from any situation.
Chains for PVC or Metal Pipes
The chains will vary depending on your selection (PVC or metal/ceramic pipes):
- PVC chains do not have tungsten carbide bits fused to the cutting edge. This prevents damage to PVC pipe walls. While PVC chains can be used in metal pipes, they work more slowly than chains with carbide bits. We do not recommend using them in ceramic pipes, as the abrasive surface will wear them out quickly.
- Metal and ceramic chains have tungsten carbide bits fused to the cutting edge, making them more aggressive. We do not recommend using these in PVC pipes.
You can select chains with or without a drill head. The Croco/Crown drill head is fused to the front of the chain assembly for forward cutting action, such as root removal or grinding up failed liners in wastewater pipes. The number of tungsten carbide bits on the drill head varies depending on the chain size. If you need a specific configuration, please contact us before ordering.
Flexible Shaft or Jetting Machine?
While a high-pressure jetting machine is often the best choice for clearing pipe blockages, this tool proves invaluable when tackling root intrusions or heavy limescale buildup. A jetter cannot perform these tasks as efficiently as this kit, which grinds obstructions into manageable chunks that wash away easily, preventing further downstream blockages.
Over the years, many tradesmen have told us that this tool has become so essential to their work that they now reach for the flexible shaft first; only using the jetter when absolutely necessary.
- Pipe size compatibility: 3"–4" (75mm–100mm)
- Shaft diameters available: 8mm (5/16"), 10mm (3/8"), 12mm (1/2")
- Shaft performance: Equal torque in forward and reverse rotation for controlled operation and easy retrieval
The kit includes:
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- Chain options:
- Plain chains: suitable for PVC pipes
- Croco/X-tip chains: with tungsten carbide bits for metal and ceramic pipes
- If you choose both PVC and metal/ceramic options, we will provide chains for both PVC and metal/ceramic pipes (4 chain assemblies: 2 × 3″ and 2 × 4″).
- If you choose a 5/16” (8mm) shaft, we’ll include lightweight chains.
- If you choose a ⅜” (10mm) or ½” (12mm) shaft, we’ll include heavyweight chains.
- Please note that the flexible shaft carrier will hold a maximum of:
- 98ft (30m) of the ¼” (6mm) and 5/16” (8mm) shafts
- 65.6ft (20m) of the ⅜” (10mm) shaft
- 49ft (15m) of the ½” (12mm) shaft
- The carrier is not designed to exceed:
- 65.6ft (20m) for the ⅜” (10mm) shaft
- 49ft (15m) for the ½” (12mm) shaft
Important: Using an imperial Allen key may strip the set screws. We recommend using a metric Allen key instead.
A screw set with metric Allen keys can be found here.
- Lubricate the shaft thoroughly as shown here.
- Select the correct chain type for PVC or metal/ceramic pipes.
- Connect the shaft to a drill using a drill-to-shaft adapter and set the torque limiter as shown here.
- Insert the system into the pipe via an access point.
- Rotate the shaft to engage the chain cutting action.
- Slowly advance the tool through the blockage, allowing the chains to grind material away.
- Use a camera if required to monitor progress in real time.
- Remove debris and repeat if necessary until the pipe is cleared.
- 5/16” (8mm) shaft is a lightweight shaft and is suitable for soft blockages such as grease. It is also our second most flexible shaft, making it a good choice for pipes with multiple bends.
- ⅜” (10mm) shaft is less flexible and can usually pass through around 2–3 bends. This is a heavy-duty shaft that provides more torque and is suitable for both soft and hard blockages, as well as descaling.
- ½” (12mm) shaft is our most rigid shaft and provides the highest amount of torque, but it is also the least flexible option.
Always lubricate your shaft before first use.
Please follow this link to learn more about why lubrication is important and how to lubricate your flexible shaft.
Do not use the shaft inside the carrier.
When operating, your shaft should be unwound to at least a 1m (3ft) diameter, which is the natural coil size where friction and heat buildup are minimized. Otherwise, friction and heat buildup between the shaft and the sleeve will significantly reduce the shaft's performance and lifespan.