Drain Brains

Contractors out in the field are always looking for one tool that does it all. Our ClogChopper^® is a great tool that can be connected to almost any drum, flexible shaft or sectional style machine, and cuts through obstructions in the pipe.

Our ClogChopper has four features that make it the “all-star” attachment – it is maneuverable, efficient, versatile and economical. In this blog post, we talk more about these features and how they make the ClogChopper stand out.

Maneuverable

The perfectly balanced ClogChopper automatically negotiates multiple, tricky bends – maintaining a central line position and minimizing pipe wall, elbow, connection and joint damage. The ClogChopper essentially “bounces” around the pipe to get to where the user needs it to go.

Efficient

With “all surface” cutting edges, the ClogChopper clears clogs and scrapes encrusted debris from inner walls – all in one operation. The six inverted cutting edges run smoothly, without rattling or jumping. The spherical design helps to maneuver around tight bends and traps, thoroughly and safely cleaning metal, plastic and clay pipes to make it more efficient while going through the pipe.

Economical

The ClogChopper is durable enough to handle years of demanding use in residential and commercial applications, and self-sharpens while working, making it the perfect tool for handling multiple jobs and lasting a long time for the user.

Versatile

General offers ClogChopper connectors in a variety of sizes for several brands of drain cleaning machines.

The ClogChopper has six self-sharpening blades that dig into encrusted debris and root masses, easily grinding up stoppages, scale and crystallized urine without risking pipe damage. It works in both directions, in and out lines, all in one operation. As it spins, it also self-sharpens as it scrapes along the pipe walls.

It’s available in one-inch, one-and-a-half-inch, two-inch, two-and-a-half-inch, three-inch and four-inch sizes. This drain clearing tool is also excellent for clearing stacks, downspouts and mains, as well as for pipe lining jobs to reinstate the pipe.

For more information, call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/clogchopper.

General Pipe Cleaners Power-Vee^® drain cleaner with automatic feed makes clearing small drain lines faster and easier. The power cable feeding system is like having an extra hand in tight and awkward places. Just squeeze the lever and the cable feeds at a rate of up to 16 feet per minute.

The Power-Vee easily unclogs sinks, tubs, toilets, and laundry drains ranging from 1-1/4″ to 3″ diameter and at a distance of up to 50 ft. The automatic feed instantly adjusts to take any cable from 1/4″ to 3/8″ without requiring the use of tools or additional parts.

The Power-Vee also features quick-change cable cartridges for fast cable changing or cleaning, a Dyna-Thrust™ bearing system to reduce bearing wear and extend the life of the tool, and an ergonomically designed aluminum drum that resists corrosion.

The optional Handy-Stand™ turns the Power-Vee into a practical countertop or floor machine.  The ergonomically balanced Handy-Stand enhances the drain cleaner’s versatility, safety and stability. The optional Uni-Stand makes it easier to access clogged drains under sink cabinets.

Flexicore^® cables are made of heavy gauge wire that is coiled tightly around 49-strand aircraft-type wire rope and heat treated. It has unequalled strength and the right amount of flexibility.  Flexicore is so tough it carries a one-year warranty against defects or breakage.

For more information contact the Drain Brains^® at General Pipe Cleaners at 412-771-6300 or visit www.drainbrain.com/pv to watch the Power-Vee in action.

General Pipe Cleaners, a division of General Wire Spring Co., is a leading manufacturer of high-quality American-made drain cleaning equipment. In business since 1930, the fourth-generation family-owned company is celebrating nearly a century of service to drain cleaning professionals and plumbing contractors, as well as facilities managers, the rental industry and the hardware/home center market. The Toughest Tools Down The Line.

By Dave Dunbar, Retired – National Sales Manager at General Pipe Cleaners

Recently, we have posted a series of blogs with the title ‘How Not to Break Your Stuff, where we shared best practices from contractors who excel at keeping their drain cleaning machines operational and profitable. After looking at some of the feedback that we got from that series, we decided to write this ‘tongue in cheek’ guide to breaking your equipment as fast as possible. This article is designed for plumbers and drain cleaners who want to destroy as many machines, cables, push rods and accessories as possible, and will be invaluable to contractors who need to show a huge annual loss for tax purposes, or who have more money than they know what to do with. All others are advised to do the exact opposite of these top five suggestions!

1. Simply toss your drain cleaning machines and snakes into the back of your truck as soon as the job is over with no cleaning or lubrication, and don’t give them a second thought until the next drain cleaning job. Ride them hard and put them away wet! And whatever else you do, never put Snake Oil or any other lubricant on the cables! I’m sure that cable will look as good as new the next time you go to use it!
2. Pretend that your drain cleaning cable is a battering ram and force it down the drain as hard as you can! Or, better yet, if you have a power feed on your machine, just shove the feed control lever into forward, step on the foot pedal, and then check your social media for a few minutes. No problems!
3. Never use a starting tool…just put your biggest, baddest cutter on the end of your cable, ram the snake down the drain and hope for the best. After all, size matters in this line of work, and it’s important to show the clog who’s boss!
4. Never use anti-freeze in your pump during the winter months. It takes way too much time, and after all, time is money! If you drive really-really fast to and from the job site and only do the bare minimum when cleaning the line, you can have that high pressure water jetter back in your heated garage before the pump head has a chance to freeze. Absolutely probably!
5. Why use a thirty-dollar cutting tool to clear an obstruction in a pipe when you could use a three-thousand-dollar camera head? After all, the camera head is right there in the pipe, and that hunk of concrete that you’re looking at probably only needs a little nudge to push it out of the way. Besides, it’s just a video camera that you’re shoving down a clogged sewer, what could possibly go wrong?

Based on nearly a century of experience, we’re pretty sure that all these suggestions will have the intended effect of destroying your stuff as quickly as possible. Try doing the exact opposite and see what happens! For more information, call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200, or visit drainbrain.com.

General Pipe Cleaners’ hand-held Power-Vee^® drain cleaner with automatic feed makes clearing small drain lines fast and easy.

The simplified feeding system gives savvy plumbing, drain cleaning, maintenance, and rehab pros an “extra hand” in tight and awkward spaces. Just squeeze the lever – and cable feeds at up to 16 feet per minute.

Rugged, reliable Power-Vee easily unclogs sinks, tubs, and laundry drains from 1-1/4” to 3” in diameter, up to 50 feet long. General’s automatic feed quickly adjusts to Flexicore^® cable diameters from 1/4” to 3/8” without special tools or additional parts.

The compact Power-Vee features quick-change cable cartridges for fast cable changing or cleaning. And the Dyna-Thrust™ bearing system helps extend tool life by reducing bearing wear.

Flexicore cable from General offers superior kinking resistance and unequalled strength with the right amount of flexibility. It’s so tough that it carries the best warranty in the business – one-year protection against breakage.

General’s optional Handy-Stand™ turns Power-Vee into a practical countertop or floor machine. The ergonomically balanced Handy-Stand enhances the drain cleaner’s versatility, safety, and stability.

And the optional Uni-Stand™ securely supports the Power-Vee and reduces arm fatigue in tight, awkward work spaces – like those beneath sinks and kitchen cabinets.

For more information, contact the Drain Brains^® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200 or 412-771-6300 – or visit www.drainbrain.com/pv to watch Power-Vee in action.

General Pipe Cleaners, a division of General Wire Spring Co., is a leading manufacturer of high quality, American-made drain cleaning equipment. In business since 1930, the fourth-generation, family-owned company is celebrating nearly a century of service to drain cleaning professionals and plumbing contractors, as well as to facilities managers, the rental industry, and the hardware/DIY market. The Toughest Tools Down The Line.