I bought 2 full kits. Just made sense money wise since you get an extra head that way. Used all but 1 rod, 11 total. I found using a small nail punch made it easier to depress the release button.
Calling all Sooteater Owners!!..
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Did the same here.
Also, here is a tip if you purchase. When it comes time to trim the "weedwacker" part to fit your pipe, loosen up the nut and just pull the lead through until you have the right diameter (Cut one side instead of both sides) This should leave you enough extra line as a backup in case you go through the original one.
That's a good tip. Thanks.
I've used mine once and it was super easy. Went bottom up, 35' with no bend other then through the door and into the liner. I taped off the plastic sheet on the front but didn't use a vacuum and had no dust problme. I think anything that would float into the house would have floated up the stack with the natural draft. Using a corded drill is a must.
Yea Dave, I remembered reading that tip about trimming the line and that's what I did. Looks like the line is easily replaced too if the equipment lasts that long.
The cordless drill would have done the job for me, problem I have is they are some very old nicad batteries that just don't hold the charge anymore so I'm in the market for a new drill....probably go lithium this time as I read they don't have the memory drain problem like the nicads.
The cordless drill would have done the job for me, problem I have is they are some very old nicad batteries that just don't hold the charge anymore so I'm in the market for a new drill....probably go lithium this time as I read they don't have the memory drain problem like the nicads.
Also, good Idea on using the nail punch. I have to say the thing I least like about the soot eater is that getting the rods together and apart can be a little difficult....usually the tip of my fingers and thumbs feel it for the next 3 days or so. I wish they made them a bit easier to connect, but they probably make it this was so they don't "disconnect" while you are using it, lol
scooby074
Feeling the Heat
Did yours (and the others with issues unhooking the sections) not come with the "pointed" allen key? It's provided for pushing in the spring loaded connectors. Maybe it was no longer included in ones sold after mine?
Well look at that
Yep, they have the pointed end....never noticed. I'll remember that next year!
Here's my write-up on my first soot-eater cleaning:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/using-sooteater-to-clean-chimney-first-time-tips.90981/
I stopped just short of cleaning the cap. I measured the exact distance to the cap by taping a glow-stick to the rods and having someone watch from outside until they could see the light.
scooby074
Feeling the Heat
Well look at that
Even the included punch isnt perfect. The whole lock system isnt the best design from an installing and removing rod point of view, but it stays locked very well and I guess that's the important part!
When trimming the head, do you guys follow the instructions as to diameter? Ive been thinking that with my new head, I'm going to leave it long to maybe scrub a bit better and last a bit longer.
bluedogz
Minister of Fire
+1... works best if your spouse is over your shoulder grousing that you'll make a mess.
Also, if you're too lazy to tape the plastic, a wet towel draped over the rods works quite nicely.
I trimmed mine just over the actual pipe diameter, probably 1/4" long on each end. Seemed to work fine.
An update on my Soot Eater experiences. From now on I will use the strings several inches longer than the pipe diameter. It does a much better job as long as your drill has enough torque to spin the head. What I will not do is run my drill in high gear again. I broke one of the rod collars doing this, thankfully it was at the bottom of the chimney and I was able to reach in and grab the broken rod and pull it out.
I also broke a rod pulling it out. I tried calling them a couple times to see if they could just send me a new rod but they told me I had to return it to the place I got it from which is Amazon so looks like I'll have to do that or buy another rod kit. I do need one extra rod anyway, I forgot to take my t into consideration so I'm a few inches short of the cap.
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