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Pipe cleaning tools from the manufacturer – drain snakes, drill heads, and root cutters
Do you use a pipe cleaning machine and are looking for the right drain snake or tool head for your next clog? At G. Drexl, you’ll find the complete professional range directly from the manufacturer: five auger sizes from 8 to 32 mm, as well as over 40 specialized tool heads—from simple straight drill bits to cross-blade and fork-cutting heads, all the way up to expander root cutters for pipes up to 200 mm in diameter. Made in Germany at our facility in Bad Abbach since 1986, with free shipping within Germany. If you don’t yet have a suitable machine, you’ll find our complete range of pipe cleaning machines in the corresponding main category.
Do you need assistance, have questions, or would you like a quote? Feel free to call us for a free consultation.
Which tool for which task?
Every tool head has its specific strength: Drills mechanically break through blockages, cutting tools shred solid deposits, and special root cutters work their way through ingrown roots. The following overview shows you which tool is best suited for which task. Detailed technical data and available sizes can be found in our subcategories Spiral tools 16 mm, 22 mm, 32 mm as well as under Special Professional Tools.
| Tool | Main Application |
|---|---|
| Straight auger | Routine cleaning of straight sections with centered drilling |
| Club auger | Mechanical breaking through of solid blockages |
| Funnel auger | Larger blockages with funnel-shaped drilling action |
| Articulated club drill | Like a club drill, but flexible for curves and branches |
| Retrieval drill | Recovery of lost tools or broken spirals |
| Blade auger | All-purpose cutting tool with a cutting blade |
| Cross-blade auger | All-purpose cutting tool with a cross shape for maximum cutting action |
| Spiral saw tooth | Stubborn roots and solid deposits |
| Fork cutting head | Serrated cutting blade for particularly stubborn deposits |
| Root cutter (two-way) | Classic root ingrowth with large teeth in solid material |
| Expander cutting head | Adjustable cutting head for 100 to 200 mm pipe diameters |
| Chain slinger head | Rotating chains for loosening hard crusts and deposits |
What our customers say about us
On the independent review platform AUSGEZEICHNET.org, over 3,400 customers have rated us an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars. The reviews come from tradespeople, plumbing companies, industrial firms, and municipal utilities; every single review is verified for authenticity. Clicking on the seal opens the full review overview.
Coils in five gauges – from plumbing lines to sewer lines
No tool head works without the right coil. Drexl offers coils in five different gauges, so you have the right choice for every application. The 8-mm coil is used in small plumbing pipes, the 10-mm- and 16-mm coils in house connections and downpipes. For larger drains and professional applications, switch to the 22-mm spiral, and for demanding tasks in pipes up to 250 mm in diameter, switch to the 32-mm spiral. On our coil overview, you’ll find all sizes listed alongside their length options.
Root cutters and cutting tools for challenging blockages
Specialized tools are required for root ingrowth. Our root cutter operates with a two-way system and large, solid-material teeth, which increases cutting resistance and extends service life. The 22/65, 22/90, and 22/115 mm variants cover the most common cutting widths. For significantly larger pipe diameters ranging from 100 to 200 mm, we offer the expander cutting head in two variants, which adapts to different pipe sizes. In addition, we carry chain sling heads in 2-, 3-, and 4-chain versions, each with smooth chains for softer deposits or with spikes for particularly hard crusts. You can find an overview of all special tools in the subcategory Special Professional Tools.
Connection System and Compatibility
Drexl spirals and tools use the professional standard with a pin-and-groove connection in two sizes: 16 mm and 22 mm. The tool and spiral must have the same connection size, as must the machine’s mounting. If you have a mixed inventory and want to flexibly combine both sizes, our spiral reducer from 22 mm groove to 16 mm pin and our spiral adapter from 16 mm groove to 22 mm pin can help.
Advice from the manufacturer
When selecting tools, the devil is often in the details—for example, when choosing between a cross-blade and a chain slinger or determining the appropriate cutting width. We provide free, expert advice via our hotline, serving our customers since 1986. We offer free shipping within Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pipe Cleaning Tools
What coil size do I need for which pipe?
Rule of thumb: 8 mm for small plumbing lines, 10 to 16 mm for house connections and downspouts, 22 mm for larger drains, and 32 mm for demanding professional applications in pipes up to approx. 250 mm in diameter. The determining factors are not only the pipe diameter, but also the branching of the line and the expected type of blockage.
Which tool fits which drain snake size?
Drexl tools are sorted by the drain snake’s connection size: 16 mm tools fit 16 mm drain snakes, 22 mm tools fit 22 mm drain snakes, and 32 mm tools fit 32 mm drain snakes. Always ensure that the drain snake and the tool have the same connection size. With our adapters—a drain snake reducer (22 mm groove to 16 mm pin) and a drain snake extender (16 mm groove to 22 mm pin)—you can flexibly switch between 16 and 22 mm.
When should I use a hammer drill bit, and when should I use a cross-blade drill bit?
The hammer drill bit is the right choice when a solid blockage needs to be mechanically broken through, such as a hard plug of hygiene products or solidified deposits. The cross-blade auger, on the other hand, cuts through whatever it encounters and is better suited for flat deposits, grease, roots, or sediment. In practice, many professionals start with the club auger to break through the blockage and then switch to a cross-blade auger for a thorough final clean.
How do chain sling heads work, and when should you use smooth or spiked chains?
In a chain sling head, one to four short chains are attached to the tool head and pressed firmly against the pipe wall by rotation and centrifugal force. Smooth chains are suitable for soft to medium-hard deposits such as grease or lime scale and are gentle on the pipe. Chains with spikes have welded tips and can work through hard crusts or solid root debris, but are more aggressive on the pipe material.
What is the difference between a root cutter and an expander cutting head?
The root cutter is a classic, fixed-size cutting head with large teeth made of solid material, available in cutting widths of 65, 90, and 115 mm. The expandable cutting head, on the other hand, adapts to the pipe diameter and covers the range from 100 to 200 mm with two variants. For classic house connections with branched root systems, the root cutter is the first choice; for larger underground pipes with varying diameters along a stretch, the expandable cutting head is recommended.
Can I combine tools between 16-mm and 22-mm spirals?
Not directly, because the pin and groove do not fit together. However, it is possible with our spiral adapters: The spiral reducer connects a 22-mm spiral to a 16-mm tool, while the spiral extender connects a 16-mm spiral to a 22-mm tool. This allows you to use your existing inventory flexibly without having to buy duplicates.
Do you need assistance, have questions, or would you like a quote? Feel free to call us for a free consultation.