Flexible shaft kit for 100mm - 150mm pipes, for blockages and limescale

This kit is designed for clearing blockages and root intrusion in pipes from 100mm to 150mm, in PVC pipes or in metal, clay and stoneware pipes. It breaks down solid obstructions such as roots, hardened scale, cement and failed liners into small fragments that can flow away with the waste water.

The shaft is made from spring-grade steel wire wound in opposing directions. It therefore transmits equal torque in both directions of rotation, which makes retrieving it from the pipe easier.

Scope of delivery

• Flexible shaft with protective sleeve, friction rings, shaft lock and spring – either 8mm or 10mm
• Adapter to connect the shaft to a drill or cordless screwdriver
• Chain for DN 100 (with or without drill head, with or without tungsten carbide bits)
• Chain for DN 150 (with or without drill head, with or without tungsten carbide bits)
• Shaft carrier drum, if selected

If you choose both PVC and metal/ceramic, we supply chains for both pipe types – four chain assemblies in total, two of DN 100 and two of DN 150.

With the 8mm shaft we supply the lightweight version of the chains. If you need heavy-duty chains with an 8mm shaft, get in touch and we will put the combination together for you.

The shaft carrier holds a maximum of 30m of the 8mm shaft or 20m of the 10mm shaft. It is not designed to exceed 20m of the 10mm shaft.

Choosing the shaft diameter

• 8mm: the lighter shaft, suitable for soft blockages such as grease. It is our second most flexible shaft and therefore a good choice for lines with multiple bends.
• 10mm: less flexible, usually able to pass two to three bends. This shaft transmits more torque and suits soft as well as hard blockages, and descaling.

Chains for PVC or for metal, clay and stoneware

PVC chains are plain and carry no tungsten carbide bits on the cutting edge, which avoids damage to the pipe wall. They can be used in metal and ceramic pipes if required, but work more slowly there than chains with carbide bits.

Chains for metal and ceramic carry tungsten carbide bits on the cutting edge and are therefore more aggressive. We do not recommend them in PVC pipes.

The chains are available with or without a drill head. The Croco drill head and the Crown drill head sit at the front of the chain assembly and cut forwards – for instance when cutting roots or grinding up a failed liner. The number of tungsten carbide bits on the drill head depends on the chain size. If you need a specific configuration, please contact us before ordering.

Flexible shaft or jetting machine?

For clearing ordinary blockages, a high-pressure jetting machine is often the first choice. With root intrusion, hardened scale, cement and failed liners, however, it reaches its limits. This kit removes such deposits mechanically and grinds them down far enough to wash away.

Step by step

• Lubricate the shaft thoroughly
• Select the correct chain type for PVC or for metal and ceramic pipes
• Connect the shaft to the drill using the adapter and set the torque limiter
• Insert the system into the pipe through an access point
• Rotate the shaft so that the chains start cutting
• Advance the tool slowly through the blockage and let the chains grind the material away
• Use a pipe camera to monitor progress if required
• Remove the debris and repeat until the pipe is clear

Notes on operation

Do not run the shaft inside the carrier. When working, it should be unwound to a diameter of at least 1m – this is the natural coil size at which friction and heat build-up are lowest. Coiled more tightly, friction and heat between shaft and sleeve significantly reduce performance.

Lubrication before first use

Transport regulations do not allow us to ship products that might be considered flammable, so the shafts are delivered without lubricant inside the sleeve.

Lubricate the shaft before first use and check the lubrication every few weeks afterwards. Use a lubricant that withstands high temperatures – machine oil, paraffin oil and compressor oil are common choices. Allow roughly 15 to 20 millilitres per metre.

After your purchase we will send you videos showing how to lubricate and use the shaft.

Technical data

• Pipe range: 100mm to 150mm
• Shaft diameter: 8mm or 10mm
• Chains: DN 100 and DN 150, stainless steel
• Shaft carrier (optional): up to 30m of the 8mm shaft, up to 20m of the 10mm shaft

Product safety information

• Eye protection: always wear safety goggles when working. The rotating chains throw loosened material and waste water out of the pipe.
• Hand protection: wear close-fitting protective gloves to protect yourself from waste water. Do not use wide or loose gloves – they can be caught by the rotating shaft.
• Clothing and hair: keep loose clothing, jewellery and long hair away from the rotating drive.
• Torque limiter: set the torque limiter on your drill before starting work. If the tool jams inside the pipe, it prevents the shaft from coiling up or the machine being wrenched out of your hands.
• Unwinding: do not run the shaft inside the carrier or tightly coiled. In operation it must be unwound to a diameter of at least 1m.
• Hygiene: waste water can contain pathogens. Clean your hands and tools after work and avoid contact with eyes and mouth.
• Electrical safety: when working in damp conditions, make sure there is adequate protection against electrical hazards, for instance a residual current device.
• Qualification: these products are intended solely for use by trained professionals in the drain cleaning trade.