Flexible Shaft Set With Friction Bearings

Core Rule

The more bends you need to navigate, the thinner the shaft should be. Thicker shafts deliver more torque but sacrifice flexibility. Thinner shafts offer better flexibility but reduce torque output. If a small diameter shaft is used in a larger pipe and the tool gets stuck, there is a risk of the shaft winding up inside the line. Larger diameters reduce that risk.

1 ¼″–2″ (DN32–DN50) Pipes

Recommended: 6mm (¼″)
Ideal for navigating 90° bends in 2″ lines. Thicker shafts may struggle to pass tight bends in this diameter.

3″–4″ (DN75–DN100) Pipes

Recommended: 8mm (5/16″) for tight bends.
Provides strong flexibility while still allowing effective descaling. If the line is mostly straight and aggressive descaling is required, 10mm may be considered.

4″–6″ (DN100–DN150) Pipes

Recommended: 10mm (⅜″)
Well-balanced option for descaling and blockage removal. If working in 4″ pipes with multiple tight bends, 8mm may perform better.

4″–8″ (DN100–DN200) Straight Lines

Recommended: 12mm (½″) for maximum torque and heavy descaling.
May pass one or two bends, but torque delivery can be affected in complex layouts. If bends are present in this range, consider 10mm instead.

Final Guidance

If bends are your main challenge, prioritize flexibility. If torque and aggressive descaling are the priority and the line is straight, choose thicker.

It’s tempting to choose the longest shaft available “just in case.”
With flex shafts, that usually works against you.

Why Longer Shaft Isn’t Always Better?

1. Weight
   Flexible shafts carry noticeable weight per meter. Bringing a 30m (100ft) shaft to a 5m (16ft) job adds unnecessary bulk and fatigue.
   
   
2. Power Loss
   The longer the shaft, the more power is required to transfer torque to the tool.
   Running a 30m shaft with only 5m deployed means the remaining coiled shaft still needs to rotate. That extra resistance can strain or even burn out your drill.
   
   
3. Most common blockage depth
   Most blockages occur within 20m (65ft) of the entry point.
   Cleanouts are commonly spaced around 25m (80ft) apart.

What we recommend

Choose the shaft length that covers about 80% of your jobs.

For the remaining 20%, add a second shaft and connect them with a Shaft-to-Shaft Connector when longer reach is needed. You can even combine different diameters.

This setup gives you:

• Better mobility
• Less weight to carry
• Improved torque transfer
• More control in bends

Bonus Tip

If you’re planning to use a Shaft Carrier, confirm that your chosen length and diameter fit inside it. That info can be found in carrier's product images and description.

Do you ship to my country?

Wondering if this product ships to your country? Most likely it does! Pipemade.com delivers these top-tier plumbing tools almost anywhere in the world.

You can check the list of countries we ship to by clicking HERE!

If you can't checkout with your address? Contact Us and we make it possible!

How much does the shipping cost?

You can easily check the shipping cost by adding all the desired products to your cart and proceeding to the checkout. After giving address, it will calculate the shipping costs for you to see. Don't worry, entering your address will reveal the costs without committing to buy.

After you have checked the shipping costs, you can finish the purchase or continue shopping.

How long does it take to get my order?

Typically, delivery takes about 7-11 business days, often quicker within Europe. Our operations pause over the weekend, impacting processing times. Orders placed on Saturdays and Sundays are dispatched on Mondays. However, due to high demand, there might be delays, and orders might not ship until Tuesday.

You will receive an automated e-mail notification when your order is fulfilled. This e-mail will have the tracking code as well.

How are the shipping costs calculated?

Shipping costs are calculated based on product size, total weight, and destination. Adding items to your order may affect shipping rates. For example, adding three flexible shafts after checking costs for a single chain knocker could increase shipping fees.

No misunderstandings

We recommend checking our Shipping Policy so there are no misunderstandings about shipping, costs, taxes, customs fees or anything related.

Q: Why am I being asked to pay extra when my order arrives in the U.S.?

A: This is likely due to import tariffs or customs duties applied by the U.S. government. These are not added during checkout and are collected separately by UPS or U.S. Customs when the shipment arrives.

Q: Are these fees included in the price I paid at checkout?

A: No. The total you pay at checkout includes the product price and shipping cost, but not import tariffs, customs duties, or other local taxes.

Q: Do all U.S. customers have to pay these fees?

A: Not always. Whether or not you are charged depends on the type of product, its value, and current U.S. customs policies. Many professional tools from Europe now fall under increased tariff rates due to trade regulations.

Q: Who charges and collects these fees?

A: These fees are determined and collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the courier (e.g. UPS) acting on their behalf. Pipemade.com has no control over the amount or collection process.

Q: Can Pipemade mark my order as a gift or reduce the value to avoid tariffs?

A: Unfortunately, no. We are legally required to declare the correct value and commercial nature of all shipments. Doing otherwise would be customs fraud.

Q: What happens if I don’t pay the import fees?

A: The courier may hold the package or return it to us. If the shipment is returned due to unpaid customs charges, you may be liable for the return shipping costs and any applicable restocking fees.