Rigid K-45AF Drain Cleaner Demonstration / Discussion

An autoreverse gun which will run 3/4" - 2 1/2" pipe, the K-45AF pulls just under 6 amps. Our video demonstrates its use and options: it is a gem and we love it. Reliable and easy to clean (relatively), it is a nice machine. This video was created by www.seattletoolrental.com Let us know if this helps.

[@wesbooth7962]

I've had the same ridgid k45af for 10 yrs. It might be a k39af or something but this is the most reliable easiest to use snake I have ever used. I've made so much money with this thing. And it always the tub or lav drains. Easy to snake and quick a somewhat clean. The ROI on this tool is amazing.

[@asiwiak]

You absolutely DON'T engage the clutch and press reverse paddle at he same time. NEVER EVER DO THIS! You are damaging the machine!!! The noise you are hearing is the set of bearing forcefully jumping across the spiral threaded cable!!! DO NOT DO THIS! Imagine the cable as a spinning threaded rod. When you touch the spinning rod with e.g blade of a knife the knife wants to travel along the rod. What happens when you forcefully stop the knife still touching the spinning rod? The thread of the rod shears the blade. Imagine the cable is the rod the ball bearings in autofeed are the knife.Use the paddles to feed and retrieve the cable. Once you reach the blockage release the paddle then engage the clutch (shift the head toward the drum) and keep rotating the cable. Release the clutch, feed the cable. Repeat. Engaging the clutch simply cinches the cable at the mouth of the drum so spinning force is applied only to the portion of the cable that is already out so when you're working against the blockage tension is only on this portion of the cable, not on the cable inside of the drum.If you touch the paddles in or out at this point you are forcing the cable in/out AGAINST the clutch.

[@robertrhodes20]

Thanks Adrian!

[@worldview730]

thanks, good tip bro.

[@tonywilliams9469]

Thank you, Robert, for this very good demonstration. I have the much smaller Ridgid 57043 for clearing small lines. Your video has got me thinking that maybe I should consider the K-45AF instead of relying on a plumber for the bigger pipes. P.S.... If I were a Ridgid exec. I would probably like to hire you to demo my products.

[@robertrhodes20]

In highly technical speak: do you think if you "wanged" the black handle forward with just arm power (no tool) or small tap/tap of a screwdriver or small mallet would have broken free? I swear I had a problem initially with the black piece binding backwards but wrote it off as new parts and lube as it hasn't gotten me since.....

[@troyallenlive]

How does this machine compare to the K40 rigid?

[@karlrschneider]

Okay, I got it fixed! Somehow the cable had been jammed "in" with the "chuck" (just 2 steel blades that chomp down on the cable when the black handle is pushed back toward the drum) engaged and the cable was trapped because those blades were acting like ratchets with no way to release them. I completely dismantled the whole thing including snap rings, not real easy but was able to finally slide the metal collet that closes the blades and release all the jammed parts. It works fine now.

[@opsecusa]

I just purchased the Ridgid K-45AF-5 230v from one of the distributors of Ridgid products in Dubai, my cost delivered to my house is $614.00. Specs of the unit is also available on youtube.

[@MuffinMoles]

Appreciate this. You loyal.

[@tahirumar1588]

Hi I want this in Pakistan plz tell me how much n how can I get???

[@lass-inangeles7564]

Good demo overall, thanks! Clear video and audio. 7:15 - this part not clear. 4:35 - wrong method. Clutch and reverse don't go together. You should edit this out. I bought a Harbor FReight Bauer Electric Drain Cleaner for $99 - a third the price of the Rigid. Not as functionally nice, but cheaper for home use. I'm confused about one thing. There is a LOCK/UNLOCK ring that puts cable in neutral like your 'clutch'. In my manual auger, I had to extend cable, then lock, so it would not tangle up on the reel inside. This manual says not to do that. After feeding cable into drain, so I LOCK the cable so it does not move forward anymore and just spins in place? Cannot find info anywhere. Not sure if LOCKING the cable will damage reel or UNLOCKING it and having it in forward continuously will damage the reel if it cannot advance?

[@karlrschneider]

I don't know, Robert...the fat end was still about 3 inches away from the steel jaws and there was nothing binding on it...I was able to slide the black part right off with no trouble once I took off the inner snap ring. It's a mystery to me how the thing even got the way it was. I SUPPOSE a hard knock right on the end with the clutch engaged could have done this but there was no sign of anything hitting anywhere in or on the box or packaging. Very strange.

[@Chrisplumbgas]

Does it have variable speed trigger?

[@markhill4419]

wrong you do not lock it and reverse at the same time , the lock is for lock the cable from going in and out , not for lock and using the clutch at the same time

[@shaikkareematshaikh2370]

Hi sir i have u trip all so cleaning????

[@karlrschneider]

I just took a brand new one I bought from Amazon out of the box...and read the instructions but I can't slide the black handle away from the drum body or pull out any of the cable! I don't want to start prying with big screwdrivers but something is wrong. The directions say to be sure to slide the black tube forward before trying to open up the drum housing but it won't slide! Any ideas?

[@ripvanwrinkle7525]

Try pushing cable in toward drum at same time pull out of lock .. my 2cents hopefully not a nuisance.... oh I just realized ..that was 4 years ago.. sorry hope you can remember figuring it out I guess.. if you can you are doing better than me..

[@uptone12111]

I was hoping to see a demo.

[@kelvinli3388]

P's show how to replace cable of k45 drain cleaner

[@robertrhodes20]

pg. 12 of the manual ... www.ridgid.com/us/en/k45af-sink-machine

[@opsecusa]

Does it offer 220v option

[@robertrhodes20]

I'm afraid that could be scary ... upgrade to the K-400 for more power but I am not aware of 220v models. Rated: 120V, single phase, AC, 3.2 amp, 50/60 Hz Pick up a converter for less than $30 US on Amazon or wherever....

[@julianarodriguez3635]

How much

[@bentwater4848]

The heads go on and off just like a K50. I would call that a big brother.

[@karlrschneider]

I don't think so, I gave it as big a tug as I could manage without resorting to pry tools. After I got the black piece off (having removed the snap ring), it took a pretty hefty blow from a hammer onto a long steel drift I poked down from the 'nose' end against the steel 'claws' to persuade them to move to the other, not 'over center' position that was necessary to free the completely bound up mess. Luckily it worked without breaking stuff! :-)

[@worldview730]

thanks

[@dirtcom7]

Forgot the grip release loosens the super before pulling it out

[@Plumbing_]

رائع

[@flatearthfisherman7153]

You make it sound sexy to snake a drain on this Flat Earth

[@nflores5433]

man I wanna make it to the north. polaris and the Aurora borealis!

[@cleirjosedasilva6801]

Gostei muito queria ter um

[@trucon782]

Good tutorial. Narrator has an acting voice. Camera man is a lil weezy

[@robertrhodes20]

Huh. Perhaps it was reversed too far on testing and so jammed?

[@sergioalbertocastanedagarc2301]

cuanto cuesta la k45 $$$$$

[@Hever73]

350

[@robertrhodes20]

Well paint me pink. Thanks Opsecusa.

[@brasildesentupidoraededeti7211]

Muito legal

[@captroar]

Give me the old one.

[@drainmonkeys385]

No way in hell has Ridgid cornered the drain cleaning market, I’ve been doing it for 30 years, and nobody that I know uses Ridgid, they all have rigid equipment, but it all sits on the shelf

[@krzysztofslomiany4090]

@@777ter their tongues

[@blueticecho5690]

Along with my City Fire dept job and my Ridgid K6 stool auger I put three daughters through college..