An out of the box overview of the Hydrostar Drain Monster. Simply a review of its features. It may help you decide if it is what you are looking for. SUBSCRIBE NOW: / @rocdiy
The reverse for 2-3 seconds only applies to the rotation switch not the power feed. You can operate the power feed in reverse for as long as you want but you can’t operate the motor in reverse for more then a few seconds.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Thanks for sharing the knowledge. I made the video right after I got it and hadn't actually used it for a while. I used it last week for the second time. It hasn't helped me with either one of my rain gutter drain problems.
When you guys get it read the directions up there by that red switch I'll tell you not to be running in reverse cause you'll snap your cable there's a lot of details hes leaving now when you use a machine read the manual Read up there by the switch I'll tell you
Thanks for commenting. I didn't leave anything out. I gave an out of the box overview- the basics. I never had any intent to act or portray myself as an expert. Everyone else out there is the expert.
Great for the home owner who wants to avoid a plumber once or twice, PROVIDED you do not need more than 50 feet to reach the obstruction and your obstruction is not roots. You can not buy different or replacement augers or new cable for this machine anywhere except HF because the wire cable is wound the opposite direction of all other commercial brands. The main bearings surface is not a bearings at all, so the metal wears out of round and the unit falls apart. The motor is fine, the feed mechanism is solid, the foot pedal is fine. The cable is easily kinked and gets compressed over time affecting the feed. Be gentle with the tension adjustment, and keep it set to the lightest possible setting to get the cable to move. When the spinning barrel begins to get floppy it starts to squeal loudly, and soon falls apart. This item needs a cable that is wound in the right direction, a 75' or 100' cable, and an actual bearing for the spinning barrel, then it would be a fairly decent tool that is serviceable. As is, it is designed to frustrate and fail everyone except the casual user.
@@ladha99 I wouldn't recommend any other brand. This has accomplished what I need it to. Choosing the right one would be dependent on what you need to accomplish, distance you need to go, and your ability to operate what you are using. It does take a little finesse to use.
There is bearing for main drum. But it's poorly lubed out of factory and goes dry. All you need to do is take off the drum, lie it flat so bearing/hub is facing up and drop in some machine oil once every other service. Another point is that HF hydrostar is easily capable of reaching further than 50 foot. Just buy another extension cable from Harbor Freight (currently $69 full price - so wait for 20% off coupon) and you got 100 foot snake machine. Add another extension and you got 150 foot machine. Another point is that yes for tough root this machine will not work. But I have successfully snaked my sewer line which was clogged with root with HF hydrostar so it will work if you work slowly and carefully
Thanks for the question. It can be several things... the belt may be stretched or damaged. Did something get up under the belt guard at some point? The drum became damaged at some point, so it isn't spinning on center. Does it wobble? The drum shouldn't have any play in it from front to back. The pulley is damaged. Verify that the drum and motor bolts, nuts, screws are all tightened down.
I would not recommend it. As per the manual the drum capacity is up to 75' of 1/2" cable and 100' of 3/8" cable. So, if you go to 3/8" cable you will be good to go.
I started my own company and need cable machines but I don't have the money to get rigid equipment. Should I save my money or by this harbor freight unitl I cam afford better equipment?
I don't know that I would be the one to answer that question because I don't know all your circumstances. In my opinion, if you need machines, then I would buy the minimum you need until you can afford better (Rigid) machines. The Hydrostar isn't a bad machine, but not knowing how to use it properly could get it torn up pretty quick. Make sure whoever uses it is trained. It will help avoid having to buy new ones, repairing, and/or having to constantly buy parts.
The reverse for 2-3 seconds only applies to the rotation switch not the power feed. You can operate the power feed in reverse for as long as you want but you can’t operate the motor in reverse for more then a few seconds.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Thanks for sharing the knowledge. I made the video right after I got it and hadn't actually used it for a while. I used it last week for the second time. It hasn't helped me with either one of my rain gutter drain problems.
When you guys get it read the directions up there by that red switch I'll tell you not to be running in reverse cause you'll snap your cable there's a lot of details hes leaving now when you use a machine read the manual Read up there by the switch I'll tell you
Thanks for commenting. I didn't leave anything out. I gave an out of the box overview- the basics. I never had any intent to act or portray myself as an expert. Everyone else out there is the expert.
Great for the home owner who wants to avoid a plumber once or twice, PROVIDED you do not need more than 50 feet to reach the obstruction and your obstruction is not roots. You can not buy different or replacement augers or new cable for this machine anywhere except HF because the wire cable is wound the opposite direction of all other commercial brands. The main bearings surface is not a bearings at all, so the metal wears out of round and the unit falls apart. The motor is fine, the feed mechanism is solid, the foot pedal is fine. The cable is easily kinked and gets compressed over time affecting the feed. Be gentle with the tension adjustment, and keep it set to the lightest possible setting to get the cable to move. When the spinning barrel begins to get floppy it starts to squeal loudly, and soon falls apart. This item needs a cable that is wound in the right direction, a 75' or 100' cable, and an actual bearing for the spinning barrel, then it would be a fairly decent tool that is serviceable. As is, it is designed to frustrate and fail everyone except the casual user.
A lot of great info. Thanks for the knowledge.
@@RoCDIY WHat other brand would you recommend ling lasting!?
@@ladha99 I wouldn't recommend any other brand. This has accomplished what I need it to. Choosing the right one would be dependent on what you need to accomplish, distance you need to go, and your ability to operate what you are using. It does take a little finesse to use.
There is bearing for main drum. But it's poorly lubed out of factory and goes dry. All you need to do is take off the drum, lie it flat so bearing/hub is facing up and drop in some machine oil once every other service. Another point is that HF hydrostar is easily capable of reaching further than 50 foot. Just buy another extension cable from Harbor Freight (currently $69 full price - so wait for 20% off coupon) and you got 100 foot snake machine. Add another extension and you got 150 foot machine. Another point is that yes for tough root this machine will not work. But I have successfully snaked my sewer line which was clogged with root with HF hydrostar so it will work if you work slowly and carefully
@@springer-qb4dv
Helpful comment 👍
This was helpful 🙏
Thanks. I try to help out where I can.
Great video, thanks for sharing!! Can it be replaced wire cable to 15ft or 100' and with the other brand buying on Amazon...? Thanks
Thanks for watching. You can use up to 75' of 1/2" cable or 100' of 3/8" cable.
Good info 👍
Thanks for watching and commenting.👍
Hey bud, question? What would make the belt keep popping off ?
Thanks for the question. It can be several things... the belt may be stretched or damaged. Did something get up under the belt guard at some point? The drum became damaged at some point, so it isn't spinning on center. Does it wobble? The drum shouldn't have any play in it from front to back. The pulley is damaged. Verify that the drum and motor bolts, nuts, screws are all tightened down.
If I connect another extension cable 1/2in 50ft to this cable, can the drum still hold both cables?
I would not recommend it. As per the manual the drum capacity is up to 75' of 1/2" cable and 100' of 3/8" cable. So, if you go to 3/8" cable you will be good to go.
The power feed knob that has "R and F". What is it called? It broke in mine.
And Where can I buy it?
@@camilogutierreziii7729 manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61857.pdf, page 18 and 19. Or, call 1-888-866-5797
Needed to speak up.
Got it, but nothing I can do once it is on YT. It's good when I post it and review it.
I started my own company and need cable machines but I don't have the money to get rigid equipment. Should I save my money or by this harbor freight unitl I cam afford better equipment?
I don't know that I would be the one to answer that question because I don't know all your circumstances. In my opinion, if you need machines, then I would buy the minimum you need until you can afford better (Rigid) machines. The Hydrostar isn't a bad machine, but not knowing how to use it properly could get it torn up pretty quick. Make sure whoever uses it is trained. It will help avoid having to buy new ones, repairing, and/or having to constantly buy parts.