Klein Tools, the electrical hand tool brand, has come out with a new steel toilet auger, 53018.
Kleins says that the auger’s quick-release handle, dual-lock storage, and protective boot enhance professional performance and that the comfortable grip reduces fatigue during heavy-duty toilet unclogging applications.
Why not use other augers or drain snakes on toilets? You can, but shouldn’t; this one is specially designed to reach around the bend and also has a protective boot that reduces the chances you’ll scratch things up.
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Like others on the market, the Klein toilet auger has a hybrid drive where you can use a crank handle or powered driver.
From my search, the Klein is priced a couple of dollars lower than competing options.
Price: $60
Interestingly, you can also order the new Klein tool from Lowe’s via Instacart, but I could not find any Lowe’s product page or listing for the toilet snake.
Robert
“ Klein Tools, the electrical hand tool brand”
??? That’s what I thought when I read the headline.
I’m not a plumber but sounds well thought out. I didn’t understand how a drive could power it, I had to go to the Acme website to see that.
Alexk
The last row of images, to the left of “ browse Lowe’s” has a tiny image showing a drill inserted into some part of it.
I’m 64, and still laughed when I saw “heavy duty toilet unclogging”. When will I grow up?
Stuart
You don’t know how much effort it took for me to not “accidentally” misspell a word in there.
blocky
Remember to LOTO
fred
The price is right – and features look fairly standard.
We used ones from General Wire Spring Co.
They had a brass housing tube, a cast metal grip area on the tube and a cast metal handle – all easy to clean and sanitize (important for a tool that can contact human waste.)
I’m not sure what Klein uses for their tube – but better closet augers are brass or SS – while cheaper ones use galvanized steel or plastic. I’ve never seen a closet auger that didn’t have a protective end boot – so that’s not advantage/disadvantage for the Klein design. The soft grip parts seem like they might get dirty/smelly – so I’m not sure about them. The end bulb holder seems like a good design (our Generals had a hole that you hooked the end bulb into then spun the auger a turn to lock it inpalce)
Richard
I have used my General for 29 years. I have the extendable version.
Also have their urinal auger, but I rarely use it anymore. The boot on the urinal auger split early on, but it is still functional.
fred
What was found stuck in a commode or urinal was often the stuff of storytelling when we’d get the troops together for a team meeting. While we ostensibly gathered to talk about safety issues, lessons learned from near misses, new technology, new tools etc. – scatological humor would often creep in. I recall ones like: “did you hear about the half grapefruit that defied all attempts to dislodge it?” – but more often it was kid’s toys, diapers and other hygiene or paper products.
Kingsley
American toilets block way too easily.
In the UK I’ve never had to use anything more than a 5 quid cotton mop.
We don’t even have plungers in bathrooms, just not needed, they rarely block
Bonnie
“Kleins says tat”
I assume should say “that”. Though referring to this as tat may also not be inaccurate.
I think at this point it’s clear Klein isn’t just an electrical hand tool brand. For good or for ill.
Stuart
It’s what they’re known for; they’re not yet known for plumbing tools.
WastedP
Headline of the year, and we’re not even two weeks in.
EBT
I’ll wait for the sale on the Klein Poop Knife. “Its foldable! Stores within easy reach!”
🙂
Nathan
I got choked up reading that. Thank you
JoeM
I’m gonna check Atlas for it. I’ve been meaning to get an auger like this for years, just due to my building’s older pipes. Could use some serious clearing sometimes. I’ve pondered the DeWALT 20V Max powered version for years as well.
Also: Are you sure this is “New” to the market from Klein? Feel free to utterly destroy my perception on this, but I could’ve sworn Home Depot carried a Klein Auger or two since at least 2001. There’s reasons for not going to Home Depot or Lowes anymore, but, I thought my time before that included these augers when I would actually go there. Am I misremembering?
I’d believe fully that this is a totally new model, easily. I don’t remember there ever being a clip to hold the bulb while not in use, or the soft collar at the curve. But I do remember Klein brand toilet augers in the past.
Randell
What about Bauer from Harbor Freight? It LOOKS nice. Especially for some one who would only use it a few times a year.