General Super-Vee User manual

Super-Vee
™
Operating Instructions
For 1-1/4" through 3" lines
(30mm – 75mm)
Y
our Super-Vee is designed to give you
years of trouble-free, profitable service.
However, no machine is better than its
operator. We therefore suggest you read
these instructions through carefully before
using your machine on the job. This will
enable you to operate the Super-Vee
more efficiently and more profitably.
Failure to follow these instructions may
cause personal injury to operator or
damage to equipment.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
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Super-Vee™
2
Safety Instructions
WARNING
Electric shock resulting in death
can occur if you plug this machine
into an improperly 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
protect 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 flammable
liquids, gases, or dust.
Wear only 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.
Use safety equipment. Always
wear safety glasses and rubber
soled, non-slip shoes.
Never operate machine with guard
removed. Fingers can get caught
in the mechanism.
Do not overstress cables.
Overstressing cables may cause
twisting, kinking, or breaking of
the cable and may result in
serious injury.
READ AND UNDERSTAND
ALL INSTRUCTIONS!
Failure to follow all instructions listed below may
result in electric shock, fire and/or serious
personal injury.
Call General’s customer service department at
412-771-6300 if you have any questions.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Work Area Safety
1. Keep your work area clean and well lit.
Cluttered benches and dark areas invite
accidents.
2. Do not operate power tools in explosive
atmospheres, such as in the presence of
flammable liquids, 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.
4. Do not let visitors contact the tool or
extension cord. Such preventative measures
reduce the risk of injury.
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 UL approved tester or a
qualified 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
polarized 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. Don’t expose power tools to rain or wet
conditions. Water entering a power tool will
increase the risk of electric shock.
!

Super-Vee™
3
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
immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk
of electric shock.
6. When operating a power tool outside, use an
outdoor extension cord marked “W-A” or “W”.
These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce
the risk of electric shock.
7. Use only three-wire extension cords which
have three-prong grounding plugs and three-
pole receptacles which accept the tool’s plug.
Use of other extension cords will not ground the
tool and increase the risk of electric shock.
8. Use proper extension cords. Insufficient
conductor size will cause excessive voltage drop
and loss of power.
9. Keep all electric connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plugs or tools with wet
hands. Reduces 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 inattention while operating power tools
may result in serious personal injury.
2. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or
jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair,
clothing, 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
turning 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
balance at all times. Proper footing and balance
enables better control of the tool in unexpected
situations.
6. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye
protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes,
hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for
appropriate conditions.
Tool Use and Care
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Disconnect the plug from the power source
before making any adjustments, changing
accessories, or storing the tool. Such
preventative safety measures reduce the risk of
starting the tool accidentally.
4. Store idle tools out of reach of children and
other untrained persons. Tools are dangerous
in the hands of untrained users.
5. Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools
sharp and clean. Properly maintained tools, with
sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are
easier to control.
6. Check 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.
7. Use only 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.
8. Inspect tool and extension cords periodically
and replace if damaged. Damaged cords
increase risk of electrical shock.
9. Keep handles dry and clean; free from oil and
grease. Allows for better control of the tool.
10. Store tools in dry place. Such measures reduce
the risk of electrical shock.
Tool Service
1. Tool service must be performed only by
qualified repair personnel. Service or
maintenance performed by unqualified repair
personnel could result in injury.
2. When servicing a tool, use only identical
replacement parts. Follow instructions in the
Maintenance 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 Information
1. 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.

Super-Vee™
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2. The Skil drive unit used in the Super-Vee is
double insulated, and therefore has no
grounding wire. To reduce the risk of electric
shock, this equipment 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 outlet, reverse the
plug. If the plug still does not fit, contact a
qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do
not change the plug in any way.
3. 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.
4. Wear only leather gloves. Never use any other
type of glove such as cloth, rubber, or coated
gloves. Never grasp a rotating cable with a
rag or cloth glove. These items could become
wrapped around cable and cause serious injury.
5. Never operate machine with guard removed.
Fingers can get caught in the mechanism.
6. Do not overstress cables. Overstressing cables
because of an obstruction may cause twisting,
kinking, or breaking of the cable and may result in
serious injury.
7. Position machine within six inches of drain
opening. Greater distances can result in cable
twisting or kinking. If you can't get the machine
this close to the drain opening, run the cable
through metal tubing or conduit to prevent cable
whipping and kinking.
8. Machine is designed for one-person operation.
Operator must control trigger and cable.
9. Be careful when cleaning drains where
cleaning chemicals have been used. Avoid
direct contact with skin and eyes. Drain
cleaning chemicals can cause serious burns as
well as damage the cable.
10. Do not operate machine if operator or machine
is standing in water. Will increase risk of
electrical shock.
11. Wear safety glasses, rubber soled, non-slip
shoes. Use of this safety equipment may prevent
serious injury.
12. 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. Always replace worn out (kinked or
broken) cables with genuine GENERAL
replacement cables.
13. 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.
Variable Speed Switch
A variable speed control is built into the trigger
mechanism. 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 located just above the trigger switch. Move
the lever toward the Forward arrow for forward
rotation and toward the Back arrow for reverse
rotation.
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 (Not 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.
Cutter Application Chart (Table 2)
Cutter Catalog Number 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
stoppages, scrapes
walls of pipe.
Note: Cutters may only be used with 3/8” cables and
5/16” cables with a female connector.

Super-Vee™
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Operating Instructions
1. Slide the grip shield forward to release cable.
Place the cable in the drain by hand as far as it
will go. Leave six inches of cable between the
machine and the drain.
2. Slide the grip shield back to grip the cable. 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.
3. After the cable has fed into the drain, release the
trigger.
4. 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 machine back.
5. 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
between the machine and drain opening. Too
much slack in the cable can cause it to tangle and
kink.
6. Repeat procedure until you have worked through
the stoppage.
7. Reverse the procedure to pull the cable out of the
line.
!CAUTION
Do not use reverse to pull the cable out of the drain.
Always run your machine in Forward, whether you
are feeding the cable into the line or pulling it out.
Use reverse only to release cable if it should
become caught in the line.
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.
TO CHANGE CABLE CARTRIDGES
1. Remove the cutter and screw from the cable, if
one is attached.
2. Loosen the three screws that hold the front and
back of drum together.
3. Pull the drum off of the front of the machine.
4. Remove the cartridge. Press replacement
cartridge firmly into the back of the drum. Make
sure to line up the grooves in the cartridge with
the slots in the drum back.
5. Slide cable through the front of the drum. Be sure
the grip shield is in the forward position. Position
the drum front so that the screws and slots in the
drum back are aligned.
6. Tighten the screws firmly, making sure they are
centered in the slots, and tightened so that the
heads of the screws are flush with the drum.
DISCONNECT MACHINE FROM
POWER SOURCE BEFORE
CHANGING CARTRIDGES!
!
!

Super-Vee™
6
MAINTENANCE
To keep your machine operating smoothly, it is
essential that all bearings and bushings be lubricated.
Oiling moving parts is particularly important where
machine comes in contact with sand, grit, and other
abrasive material.
CABLE MAINTENANCE
To get maximum service
from your cables, be sure
that they are clean and well
oiled. This not only provides
complete lubrication, but
greatly extends the life of the
cables as well. 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.
TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE (Table 3)
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 front and
back of the drum together.
2. Pull the drum off of the front of the machine.
3. Remove cable cartridge.
4. Loosen the set screws in the beveled collar and
remove both the collar and the felt washer.
5. 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.
6. Unscrew the Hub Spindle from the Right Hand
Drive Shaft by rotating the drum back counter-
clockwise. Note: The Hub Spindle, Hub, and
Drum Back remain as one unit; the Thrust Bearing
will come free.
7. Reverse these instructions when re-assembling.
DISCONNECT MACHINE FROM
POWER SOURCE BEFORE
PERFORMING MAINTENANCE!
Problem Probable Cause Solution
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 kinks or breaks.
Cable exposed to acid Clean and oil cables regularly.
Operator forcing the cable. Do not force the cable. Let the cutter do the work.Cable tangles in drum.
Machine run in reverse. Do not run machine in reverse to retract cable from drain. Use
reverse only if cable is caught in line.
Motor does not run. Trigger in neutral (off) position. Switch Trigger to either Forward or Reverse.
Symbol Name Symbol Name
V Volts Action direction or arrow
A Amperes Alternating current
Hz Hertz Designates double insulated
noNo load speed Designates this tool is listed by Underwriters Laboratories
…/min Revolutions per minute Designates this tool is listed by Canadian Standards Association
!
See pages 22 and 23 for Parts List and Schematic Diagram.