General Pipe Cleaners Super-Vee User manual

Super-Vee™
Operating Instructions
For 1-1/4‖ through 3‖ lines
(30mm—100mm)
Your Super-Vee is designed to give
you years of trouble-free, profitable
service. However, no machine is better
than its operator.
Read, understand and follow all safety
warnings and instructions provided with
the product. Failure to follow the warnings
and instructions may result in electric
shock and/or serious injury. Save all warn-
ings and instructions for future reference.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
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WARNING! Read and understand all
instructions. Failure to follow all instructions
listed below may result in electric shock, fire
and/or serious personal injury. Replacement
manuals are available upon request at no
charge, or may be downloaded from our web-
site, www.drainbrain.com. Instructional videos
are available for download on our website, and
may be ordered. If you have any questions or
problems, please call General’s customer
service department at 412-771-6300.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
Super-Vee™
Electric shock resulting in
death can occur if you plug
this machine into an improp-
erly wired outlet. If the ground
wire is electrified, you can be
electrocuted by just touching
the machine, even when the
power switch is off. A ground
fault circuit interrupter will not pro-
tect you in this situation. Use a
UL approved tester to determine
if the outlet is safe.
Do not operate power tools in
explosive atmospheres, such
as in the presence of flamma-
ble liquids, gases, or dust.
Power tools create sparks which
may ignite the dust or fumes.
Only wear leather gloves.
Never use any other type of
glove, such as cloth, rubber, or
coated gloves. Never grasp a
rotating cable with a rag.
These items could become
wrapped around the cable and
cause serious injury.
Always wear safety glasses
and rubber soled, non-slip
shoes. Use of this safety equip-
ment may prevent serious injury.
Do not overstress cables.
Overstressing cables may cause
twisting, kinking, or breaking of
the cable and may result in seri-
ous injury.
These instructions are intended to
familiarize all personnel with the safe
operation and maintenance
procedures for the Super-Vee.
DANGER indicates a hazard with a high level of risk
which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARINING indicates a hazard with a medium level of risk
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION indicates a hazard with a low level of risk which,
if not avoided, will result in minor or moderate injury.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is
used to alert you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all safety mes-
sages that follow this symbol to avoid
possible injury or death.
2

Super-Vee™
3
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
Work Area
1. Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas invite accidents.
2. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmos-
pheres, such as in the presence of flammable liq-
uids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks
which may ignite the dust or fumes.
3. Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away
while operating a power tool. Distractions can
cause you to lose control.
Electrical Safety
1. Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet,
properly installed and grounded in accordance
with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the
grounding prong or modify the plug in any way.
Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with a quali-
fied electrician if you are in doubt as to whether
the outlet is properly grounded. If the tool should
electrically malfunction or break down, grounding
provides a low resistance path to carry electricity
away from the user.
2. Double insulated tools are equipped with a polar-
ized plug (one blade is wider than the other).
This plug will fit a polarized outlet only one way.
If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse
the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified
electrician to install a polarized outlet. Do not
change the plug in any way. Double insulation
eliminates the need for the three wire grounded
power cord and grounded power supply system.
3. Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such
as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators.
There is an increased risk of electric shock if your
body is grounded.
4. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet condi-
tions.Water entering a power tool will increase the
risk of electric shock.
5. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord to
carry the tools or pull the plug from an outlet.
Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or
moving parts. Replace damaged cords immedi-
ately. Damaged cords increase the risk of electric
shock.
6. When operating a power tool outside use an out-
door extension cord marked ―W-A‖ or ―W‖. These
cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of
electric shock.
7. Keep all electric connections dry and off the
ground. Reduces the risk of electric shock.
8. Do not touch plugs or tools with wet hands. Re-
duces the risk of electric shock.
Personal Safety
1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use
common sense when operating a power tool. Do
not use tool while tired or under the influence of
drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inat-
tention while operating power tools may result in seri-
ous personal injury.
2. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or
jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair, cloth-
ing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose
clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving
parts.
3. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is off
before plugging in. Plugging in tools that have the
switch on invites accidents.
4. Remove adjusting keys or switches before turn-
ing the tool on. A wrench or key that is left attached
to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal
injury.
5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal-
ance at all times. Proper footing and balance en-
ables better control of the tool in unexpected situa-
tions.
6. Always wear safety glasses and rubber soled,
non-slip shoes. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes,
hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for ap-
propriate conditions.
Tool Use and Care
1. Use clamps or other practical way to secure and
support the workpiece to a stable platform. Hold-
ing the work by hand or against your body is unstable
and may lead to loss of control.
2. Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your
application. The correct tool will do the job better
and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
3. Do not use tool if switch does not turn it on or off.
Any tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is
dangerous and must be repaired.
4. Disconnect the plug from the power source be-
fore making any adjustments, changing accesso-
ries, or storing the tool. Such preventative safety
measures reduce the risk of starting the tool acciden-
tally.
5. Store idle tools out of reach of children and other
untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in the
hands of untrained users.
6. Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp
and clean. Properly maintained tools, with sharp cut-
ting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to
control.
7. Inspect for misalignment or binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition
that may affect the tool’s operation. If damaged,
have the tool serviced before using. Many accidents
are caused by poorly maintained tools.
8. Only use accessories that are recommended by
the manufacturer for your model. Accessories that
may be suitable for one tool may become hazardous
when used on another tool.

Super-Vee™
4
Service
1. Tool service must be performed only by qualified
repair personnel. Service or maintenance per-
formed by unqualified repair personnel could result in
injury.
2. When servicing a tool, use only identical replace-
ment parts. Follow instructions in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized
parts or failure to follow Maintenance Instructions
may create a risk of electric shock or injury.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
1. Only wear leather gloves.Never use any other type
of glove, such as cloth, rubber, or coated gloves.
Never grasp a rotating cable with a rag. These items
could become wrapped around the cable and cause
serious injury.
2. Be sure that the unit is plugged into a properly
grounded receptacle. If in doubt, check receptacle
before plugging in machine. Check the power cord to
see that there are no cuts or frays, and that the
grounding prong on the plug is still in place.
3. The drive unit used in the Super-Vee is double
insulated, and therefore has no grounding wire.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, this equip-
ment has a polarized plug (one blade is wider
than the other). The plug will fit in a polarized outlet
only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the out-
let, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, con-
tact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet.
Do not change the plug in any way.
4. If the power cord supplied with the machine is
not long enough, be sure to use a 16 gauge
heavy duty extension cord no more than 50 feet
long and in good condition. Using lighter cords can
result in severe power loss and motor overheating.
5. Place the machine at a distance not greater than
six inches from drain opening. Greater distances
can result in cable twisting or kinking.
6. Machine is designed for ONE-PERSON operation.
Operator must control trigger switch and cable.
7. Never take hold of a rotating cable. Pull the cable
out, or push it back into the container by hand
only when the motor is stopped. When the motor
is turning, always have one hand controlling the
trigger switch and the other hand around the grip
shield. Operator’s hand may be caught in the moving
parts resulting in serious injury.
8. Be careful when cleaning drains where cleaning
chemicals have been used. Avoid direct contact
with corrosive drain cleaners. Drain cleaning chemi-
cals can cause serious burns, as well as damage the
cable. Neutralize or remove corrosive drain cleaners
in the drain before starting the job.
9. Do not operate machine if operator or machine is
standing in water. Will increase risk of electrical
shock.
10. Wear safety glasses and rubber soled, non-slip
shoes. Use of this safety equipment may prevent
serious injury.
11. Before starting each job, check that the cable in
the drum is not broken or kinked, by pulling the
cable out and checking for wear or breakage.Al-
ways replace worn out (kinked or broken) cables with
genuine GENERAL replacement cables.
12. Only use this tool in the application for which it
was designed. Follow the instructions on the
proper use of the machine. Other uses or modifying
the drain cleaner for other applications may increase
risk of injury.
FEATURES
Cutter
Grip Shield
Cable Cartridge - inside container
Variable Speed
Trigger Switch
Female Connector
Forward/Off/
Reverse Switch
Cable
Container Front
Container Back
VARIABLE SPEED SWITCH
A variable speed control is built into the trigger mecha-
nism. You can control and increase the machine's speed
by applying more trigger pressure until you get the speed
that you want.
You can also control the machine's direction of rotation
by switching the forward and reverse lever, which is lo-
cated just above the trigger switch. Move the lever to-
ward the Forward arrow for forward rotation and toward
the Back arrow for reverse rotation. Switch to OFF posi-
tion when the tool is not in use.
Cable Application Chart (Table 1)
Cable Size Pipe Size Typical Applications
1/4” 1-1/4" to 2" Small lines, tubs, and shower drains.
5/16" 1-1/2" to 2" Sinks, basins, and small drains.
3/8" 2" to 3" Stacks, toilets, small drains (No Roots).
The 1/4" and 5/16" diameter cables with EL Basin plug heads
can be spun through most strainer crossbars and work well in
lines blocked by soft stoppages such as hair, soap, fats, etc.

Super-Vee™
DO NOT USE TOO MUCH FORCE –
LET THE CUTTER DO THE WORK.
Hint: It's often helpful to have a small stream of
water running in the line to wash the cuttings away
while the machine is in operation and after.
Operating Instructions
5
DO NOT ALLOW TOO MUCH SLACK IN
THE CABLE BETWEEN MACHINE AND
DRAIN OPENING SINCE THIS CAN
CAUSE CABLE WHIPPING.
1. The cable may have an EL-Basin plug head on the
end to help the cable around tight bends, or it may
have a connector for attaching cutters to the end.
2. To attach a cutter, first unplug the machine. Then,
remove the screw and lock washer from the connec-
tor at the end of the cable. Slide the cutter into the
slot, then replace the lock washer and connecting
screw. Tighten the screw firmly.
3. The Boring Gimlet and Arrow Head are good cutters
to start with. Then change to the larger cutters after
you've gotten the water flowing.
4. Place machine at a distance not greater than six
inches from the drain opening. If you can’t place the
machine this close to the drain opening, run the cable
through a hose or pipe to prevent cable whipping.
8. After the cable has fed into the drain, release the trig-
ger.
9. Slide the grip shield forward to release the cable.
Pull the Super-Vee back while holding the able in
place. After you are past the first bend, you probably
will not have to hold the cable as you pull the ma-
chine back.
10. Slide the grip shield back, squeeze the trigger and
move the machine toward the drain again. Slide the
grip shield forward and pull the machine back. Be
sure to allow no more than six inches of cable be-
tween the machine and drain opening. Too much
slack in the cable can cause it to tangle and kink.
11. Repeat procedure until you have worked through the
stoppage.
12. Reverse the procedure to pull the cable out of the
line.
6. Slide the grip shield back to grip the cable. Be sure
the Forward/Off/Reverse switch is in the FORWARD
position.
7. Gently squeeze the trigger and move the machine
toward the drain opening. DO NOT FORCE THE
CABLE. The job won’t go any faster and you could
kink the cable.
5. Slide the grip shield forward to release cable. Place
the cable in the drain by hand as far as it will go.
Cutter Application Chart (Table 2)
Cutter Catalog # Typical Applications
Arrow
Head AH Ideal for heavy cutting and
scraping.
Flexible Arrow
Head
FAH
More flexibility than Arrow
Head; can take sharp turns in
small lines.
Boring
Gimlet BG To remove or retrieve loose objects.
Down Head
Boring
Gimlet
DHBG
Leads cable down drain line
rather than up vent or across
tee.
1-1/4"
Side
Cutter
1-1/4SCB Works well in grease stop-
pages, scrapes walls of pipe.
Other Available Accessories:
Down Head
Fitting DHF Converts various cutters to
the down-head style
Toilet
Attachment CAA For cleaning stoppages in
toilet bowl

Super-Vee™
CABLE MAINTENENCE
To get maximum service from your
cables, be sure that they are clean
and well oiled. This not only provides
running lubrication but greatly extends
the life of the cables as well. Some
users periodically pour oil directly into
the drum. Then, as the drum turns, the
cables get complete lubrication. Our
SNAKE OIL is ideally suited for this
purpose, since it not only lubricates
the cables, it deodorizes them as well.
TO CLEAN OR REPLACE GRIPPERS
If your Super-Vee is not gripping the cable properly, the
cable grippers may need to be cleaned or replaced.
1. Loosen the 3/8” set screws and the slotted screw in
the front collar.
2. Remove the front collar and slide off the grip shield.
3. Remove screws holding the cable grippers.
4. Clean or replace cable grippers.
5. Re-grease grippers and reassemble.
TO REMOVE MOTOR
1. Loosen the three screws that hold the container front
and back together.
2. Pull the container front off of the machine.
3. Loosen the two set screws in the beveled collar and
remove both the collar and the felt washer.
4. Slide a flat head screw driver into the Hub Spindle
and unscrew the Left Hand locking screw from the
drive shaft by turning it clockwise.
5. Unscrew the Hub Spindle from the Right Hand Drive
Shaft by rotating the container back counter-
clockwise. Note: The Hub Spindle, Hub, and Con-
tainer Back remain as one unit. The thrust bearing
will spin freely.
6. Reverse these instructions to re-assemble.
6
TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE (TABLE 3)
Problem Probable Cause Solution
Cable kinks or breaks. Operator forcing the cable. Do not force the cable. Let the cutter do the work.
Too much slack between machine and drain. Do not allow more than six inches between machine and drain.
Cable used in wrong size drain line. A cable that is too large or too small in diameter for a line is more
likely to kink. (Consult Table 1—Cable Applications.)
Cable exposed to acid Clean and oil cables regularly.
Cable tangles in container. Operator forcing the cable. Do not force the cable. Let the cutter do the work.
Motor does not run. Trigger in neutral (off) position. Switch Trigger to either Forward or Reverse.
Motor turns in one direction
but not other.
Reverse switch failure. Replace reverse switch.
Maintenance
To keep your machine operating smoothly, it is essential
that all bearings and bushings be lubricated. Oiling mov-
ing parts is particularly important where machine comes
in contact with sand, grit and other abrasive material.
DISCONNECT MACHINE FROM POWER
SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING
MAINTENANCE ON MACHINE!
1. Remove the cutter and connecting screw from the
cable, if one is attached.
2. Loosen three screws that hold front and back of con-
tainer together.
3. Pull the container front off of the machine, revealing
the cable cartridge within.
4. Remove the cable cartridge.
5. Press replacement cartridge firmly into back of con-
tainer. Make sure to line up the grooves in the car-
tridge with the slots in the container back.
6. Slide the cable through the container front.
7. Position the container
front so that the three
screws aligned with the
slots in the container
back. Press the con-
tainer front into the con-
tainer back.
8. Tighten screws firmly,
making sure the screw heads are centered in the
slots and flush with the container surface.
DISCONNECT MACHINE FROM POWER
SOURCE BEFORE INSTALLING CABLES OR
DRUMS!
TO CHANGE CABLE CARTRIDGES
For Parts List and Schematic Diagram, see pages 22 and 23.