Last year, Milwaukee came out with an M12 drain snake, which experienced auger users will say should NOT be used on toilets or other porcelain fixtures. So what can you use?
Milwaukee has just come out with the TrapSnake, a powered porcelain auger system. In other words, here’s a snake for toilets.
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But, in keeping with Milwaukee’s goals of disruptive innovation, this isn’t just a toilet snake, it’s an interchangeable auger system.
There’s one version for toilets, shown above.
And another for use on urinals.
The difference is in the cable endpiece, the length and width of the cable, and the endpiece.
Toilet TrapSnake
- 6′ x 1/2″
- Retriever bulb at end
- Protective boot (curved)
Urinal TrapSnake
- 4′ x 3/8″
- Bulb cable end
- Protective boot
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There are 2 turning options – an M12 TrapSnake driver, and a manual crank.
Quick Bullet Points
– All attachments include a telescoping cable lock, fixed rubber boot, replaceable cables – “Industry Firsts”
– Optimized electronics deliver low RPM and low torque
– User can feel when a blockage is engaged, allowing controlled retrieval
– Rubber boots offer maximum porcelain protection, replaceable cables maximize tool longevity
– Industry’s First cable locking mechanism holds cables in place for easy extension and retraction
Milwaukee recommends that the toilet auger be used on drains 2″ to 4″ wide, and the urinal auger on drains 1-1/4″ to 2″ wide.
Purchasing Options
- M12 TrapSnake 6′ Toilet Auger Kit: 2561-21; M12 Bare Tool Version : 2576-20
- M12 TrapSnake Urinal Auger Kit: 2574-21; M12 Bare Tool Version: 2574-20
- M12 Combo Kit, with 6′ Toilet and 4′ Urinal Cables: 2577-21
- Manual 6′ Toilet Auger: 49-16-2576
- Manual 4′ Urinal Auger: 49-16-2574
- Replacement Cables: 6′ Toilet 43-53-2576, 4′ Urinal 43-53-2577
It looks like the M12 driver will be available separately, as a replacement or upgrade for users who started off with the manual version. The model number associated with the image above is 14-50-2576.
The tools will carry 5-year warranties, the cable 2 years, and the battery 2 years. The kits will come with the tool, an M12 Li-ion battery, and a charger.
Pricing
- Manual Augers: $69
- Powered Auger Kits: $149
- Bare Tools: $119
- Combo Kit (1 M12 driver, both types of cables): $199
- Replacement Cables: $25 each
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(Ridgid 6′ Toilet Auger via Amazon)
Compare(General 6′ Augers via Amazon)
And… here are some “action shots” that must have been difficult for the models and photographer(s) alike.
Good call on the gloves and glasses!
Hmm, that looks like the cable locking mechanism being used.
I’m afraid to ask how urinals get clogged.
This guy’s ready to bust some clogs!
First Thoughts
Looks good, and the pricing seems very appealing too.
Hmm… I wonder what it would take for Milwaukee to couple an inspection camera into the auger cable. Bad idea?
Who’s lining up to buy one?
Cr8ondt
Question: Do you like the quick bullet point format for details that don’t warrant lengthy paragraphs?
Yes, coupled with your closing thoughts makes for a quick read and easy to digest, probably saves you a bit of time too.
fred
The price looks OK – but these tools tend to need to be cleaned out after use. We’d hose ours off and sometimes soak them in a pickle barrel with some bleach and water. I wonder of this Milwaukee will be amenable to the same treatment
We always carried ones made by General Wire Spring – different models for commode and urinals :
https://www.amazon.com/General-Wire-Spring-3FL-DH-Closet/dp/B000GOK0CI
The $69 price for the manual unit seems competitive.
Stuart
Thanks – I added that and a Ridgid as “compare to” options. The designs are so similar it’s hard to tell if they’re made by the same or different companies.
Good point about disinfection.
I was really hoping to see some sort of bucket docking accessory. They made it a point of bundling the drain snake with a red Milwaukee bucket, but with this users are supposed to figure something out on their own?
fred
A big heavy-duty plastic bag might serve to avoid drips.
BTW – I think the quality of the manual ones decreased over the years. The old models use bronze castings for handles, heavy brass tubing and a good large diameter non-kink inner/outer galvanized spring snake. Most of the new models use plastic or white-metal cast handles, a thinner brass or even a plated steel tube. Our 50 year old ones will probably be still working after I’m long gone – not sure how long the newer ones will last
Satch
Fred, right you are. Our plumbers have Ridgid brand manual toilet augers and they are hard to beat. And the battery is always charged LOL. I have no doubt the older versions were made from superior materials. We have some still around that are at least twenty-five years old ND they just don’t quit.
I think the battery versions by Milwaukee will likely be popular. If for no other reason than the black and red plastic will look ‘cleaner’ to a customer than the old orange and white Ridgid manual units with a brass spring protruding from it. It won’t be so but will look so. And in the end it may be quicker too but I have watched our guys clear a toilet in a link with those old manual units.
Satch
Whoa, auto correct is killing me. I meant that to say in a blink.
Jay
Have one of the older closet augers you mentioned Fred. Still works like new. The snake shows a little surface rust but that’s it. That thing will outlast me. They just don’t make some things as good as they used to.
Tim
This is a good idea and I will buy the urinal snake to try it out, though I’m not necessarily convinced you really need to add power to this product.
Tim
Just realised the power unit looks alot like their ratchet.
Nathan
yeah I don’t know if this is something that has to be used often – I mean right tool for the job and all that but I don’t know that powered is necessary. Now at 50 some odd ft of cable – if just for speed of retrieval powered is nice.
I like the bullets too.
pencil neck
If you are concerned enough to wear safety glasses…. then a full face shield is more in line with what you wish you would of used.
Jay
Human bodily fluids can be a bio hazard. Need something to protect mouth, nose and eyes from droplets and splashes.
Tony Davis
Could these be used for showers and sinks too? They are much cheaper than the 25′ version they brought out last year
Andy
In a pinch? Maybe for a sink that has a clog in the P-trap or slightly lower. However, you would be still better off with a manual or powered snake (handheld or one with a base). Clogs don’t always have to be in the trap and maybe quite further down the line/stack.
tholkien
For time being, Ferguson has the closet auger kit (Milwaukee 2576‑21), for $149.99, with a Milwaukee mail-in, for a free Urinal auger. That makes the package with a battery/crank handle $50 cheaper than everywhere else. I picked one up today, Tested it at home. After almost 20 years in the field, I definitely appreciate it! The two things that won me over? 1 You don’t have to balance the auger, while cranking it (just touch the button, and focus on the angle), and 2 When you wanna pull the extension back in, it locks the cable down – no more fidgeting, spending too much time getting it lined up, squeezing the button, and finally getting the cable back in. Got MY vote!
Sergey
What it takes to clog a urinal? Maybe a Chuck Norris (-;