Ryobi Hybrid Drain Auger Review (P4002)

My review of the Ryobi Hybrid Drain Auger P4002.

Pros - Replaceable drum and tips
Cons - Can damage tool using incorrect settings, can over extend snake to where it doesn’t retract, hybrid plug needs adapter.

[rockyravine]

always run the cable forward (clockwise); reverse on the machine is for if it gets stuck.

[eimartin]

Followed your link from Ryobi Rebels. This was great, I appreciate the honest feedback on this tool. Good info to keep in mind should I decide to buy it.

[itsgalf]

I don't have this Ryobi auger, but rather an Amazon Chinese version that's based off of the Worx Nitro Drain Auger that I bought for $30. I work apartment complex maintenance, so I deal with a lot of hair clogs in bathtub drains and bathroom sinks. Honestly, I never use the auto-feed - it's too slow and it's harder to know just how much cable has gone out. So I'll manually pull out about 5 inches, spin and feed it in, pull out another 5 inches, spin and feed it in, etc. and just do it that way. Much faster, and at least for me you can better tell when you've hit resistance (clog or bend). I only used this one bathroom sink or bathtub drain. If it's a kitchen sink drain, then it's time to upgrade to a Ridgid K-45 or K-50 sectional cable auger. That $30 auger has lasted me 2 years with plenty of use with no issues. Only time the cable got damaged is when I loaned it out to my co-workers to use and they're always too rough with it.

[caseycrawford]

I agree the operation of this is a bit confusing, and not as simple as the lower-end model. I've worn out 2 of the lower-end models and now this one is on my workbench, but contemplating selling it. I would really like Ryobi to offer a double-drop head (or crawl-head) tip on their drain routers. It can be tricky making tight turns or avoiding going up a vent with the cables they offer. Because of that I often turn to my old-style Erickson hand snake drum that has a crawl-head tip, which can be nice because can go straight down a bathroom or kitchen sink drain without disassembling the p-trap under the sink. I was trying to use my Ryobi on a difficult tub and simply couldn't get it to make a turn in the pipe, but my Erickson did it fine. I also have a General Wire Power-Vee and a Ridgid K-40, but those are a bit heavy and awkward sometimes.

[AlMount]

I unintentionally pulled the cable all the way out.
How do I go about getting in back in?

[gunshob]

2nd Drain Auger I had. The first one was manual one and ended up destroying it because the cable got stuck in the drain. Had to use heavy duty gloves and pliers to get the cable out. 2nd Auger was the Ryobi one you showed above. Same thing, fed it in the drain, the cable got stuck again. After an hour of fiddling with it. Same thing pulled out the heavy pliers and gloves and ended up damaging the cable by manually pulling. I weigh 200 lbs and it took my full body weight to get the cable out and pulled a muscle in my back. Ended up smashing the thing to pieces. Filled the whole sink with drano and let sit over night, fortunatly that cleared the drain. I cannot recommend this product. They overcomplicate it by having two forward and reverse settings. I say its a crap shoot weather it will work or not. Like my manual one I consider it a one time use.

[lamaiacoleman]

Thanks for the video. I am a novice and it showed in my first attempt to use the auger - I ended up pulling the cable completely out and now I can't get it to retract at all. I can get it in the drum past the bulb I think, but it won't pull back at all. What do you have to do to get it to retract? Is there a certain amount of cable that has to be inside before it will work? Or is there an plastic attachment it has to attach to? Also, to avoid this problem in the future, how do you know when you are almost fully extended? Finally, how do you know when you've hit a clog? I can't tell if the cable is moving in or out as opposed to just spinning unless I put a little slip of paper in the cable to watch. Thanks for any advice!

[SWIFTY]

I should have bought the hybrid too. I wish I could swap out tips on the cheaper model.

[quincylewis]

So some guy shows how to replace the drum on the cheaper model pain in the ass. So I opt for hybrid

[papalilburn]

I'll say this was brutal to watch! Should have called the "guy!"

[---cdnc]

Do you have a twitch? Just wondering because i think I might’ve found you before... but if you do could you tell me it?

[mblake]

Watch your fingers working the hub, pinched my finger in it and omg it brings tears to a grown man's eyes bc u cant release your skin without smashing again lol.

[johncarboni]

Thanks, now I know why mine doesn't work🤬

[G-lion]

What do u talk about something u don't remember on your video,

[mblake]

Yes, design flaw, was on my 3rd floor and used all 25 ft out, went to reverse it and lost the snake down the toilet pipe and it fell. Luckily it stopped a few feet short of going below my concrete floor in my basement, almost cost me thousands.

[bobhmail]

Why make a video when you don't remember what you deem relevant. Really?

[Shortwheels]

Don't buy this thing. Useless. Can't change the auger tips without pinching your fingers 20 times. Don't waste your money