Late last year, Ryobi came out with an 18V cordless drain snake. Now, it’s Milwaukee’s turn. Milwaukee recently announced a new M12 cordless drain snake that they say is the industry’s most portable snake.
The new Milwaukee M12 cordless drain snake is designed for plumbers, maintenance techs, and property managers, for clearing fixtures and smaller diameter pipes.
Milwaukee says that the new M12 snake provides the benefits of both handheld and floor-mounted drain cleaning machines, and that its “new-to-world design” will deliver game-changing productivity for users.
It’s meant to be used to clear sink drains, dubs, and other small drain lines, up to 25 feet long.
According to Milwaukee, the new M12 cordless drain snake offers the following benefits:
- Frees users from having to wrestle with power cords, extension cords, or hunting for outlets
- It’s the only handheld unit with a fixed drum shield to protect fixtures and users from the spinning drum
- Swappable drums and cable sizes
- Light weight, making it easier to use overhead, below the waist, or in confined spaces
- “Lightest 2-1/2″ drain line machine”
- Cables have a rust-free solid polymer core
More Specs for the M12 Drain Snake Kit (2571-21)
- Capacity: 25′ of 1/4″ or 5/16″ cable
- 0 – 500RPM Speed
- Removable inner drum
- LED worklight
- Weighs 10.6 lbs (with cable and battery)
The Milwaukee 2571-21 kit comes with the tool, a 5/16″ x 25′ inner core bulb head cable with inner drum, a 5 gallon drain snake storage bucket, M12 compact Li-ion battery pack, M12 battery charger
Cables Sizes:
- 5/16″ x 25′ Bulb Head Cable (48-53-2571)
- 5/16″ x 25′ Drop Head Cable (48-53-2572)
- 1/4″ x 25′ Bulb Head Cable (48-53-2573)
- 1/4″ x 25′ Drop Head Cable (48-53-2574)
- 5/16″ x 25′ Bulb Head Cable w/Drum (48-53-2581)
- 5/16″ x 25′ Drop Head Cable w/Drum (48-53-2582)
- 1/4″ x 25′ Bulb Head Cable w/Drum (48-53-2583)
- 1/4″ x 25′ Drop Head Cable w/Drum (48-53-2584)
Price: $249
ETA: June 2016
Update: Yes, there will be a bare tool version available 2751-20. The Milwaukee bucket will NOT be sold separately. Additional cables will cost $39 to $54, and cables with drums will cost $54 to $64.
First Thoughts
$249 for a drain snake might seem like a lot, until you talk to plumbers, property managers, and rental property maintenance crews, who deal with a lot of clogged drains. A LOT.
Sometimes there are simpler tools that can quickly clear a drain, but stubborn blockages often require a bit more work to clear.
It’s nice to have options. While the new Ryobi cordless drain auger will probably be a good choice for DIYers, Milwaukee’s seems to have been designed for frequent users.
I find it surprising that Milwaukee is shipping the M12 drain auger with a 5 gallon bucket, but it certainly make sense. Where else are you going to put the tool after use – back into a canvas carrying back? A hard shell case?
I don’t recall ever using a drain snake, but am familiar with how they work. To me, “game-changing” performance is always a good thing, as are “new to world” designs. On top of all that, Milwaukee says it’s the most portable snake, period.
What do you think – will this be a great new option for plumbers and property maintenance works?