DIY chimney sweeping tool?

[magnet18]

So this is the type of chimney sweep recommended by my manufacturer
($60 nominal, this $45 is the cheapest I've found)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardus-SootEater-Rotary-Chimney-Cleaning-System-RCH205-B/206714871?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD28I%7C28-20_FIREPLACE%7CNA%7CPLA%7CFixed|71700000041073829|58700004389677717|92700036924273686&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2K3rBRDiARIsAOFSW_4uSxGCNC1q0UHz9XGHzONcyHxnJUcCU2-P1b1X5HVm50NZwrZUzlkaAlg1EALw_wcB

I'm cringing at spending ~$60 for what appears to be some weed eater line on a stick.  The chimney looks very clean, I'm considering taping an old wire brush to a stick.

Anyone have experience diy-ing this?
4" inner diameter chimney btw

[big_owl]

As far as I'm concerned when it comes to cleaning your chimney you really don't have a choice, it's something that has to be done if not annually then every other year or so.   So the question is whether you pay to have someone do it for you or whether you do it yourself.  Personally I just pay to have it done so I don't have another stupid tool that I use once a year lying around and cluttering up my house (wood stove chimney).  The pros that do mine have something similar but the brush is metal and has a lot more bristles on it.  That setup seems kinda cheesy to me, but maybe it works?   

[Papa bear]

If you pay for a chimney sweep, they’ll charge you $100+ for them to hook up those fiberglass flexible rods to the end of a drill, attach that brush thing to the other end and send it up the chimney with a shop vac to catch the crap.

If you burn a lot, go buy the tool so you can DIY this every year.  I payed for one cleaning when I bought my residence, but have had less than a dozen fires over 6 years.  If I burned more regular, I would buy the actual tool.   


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[soccerluvof4]

I bought one for our cabin which we always seemed to have a fire going. Worked great, was simple, necessary and all came a party so really didnt take any space up so I would recommend one.

[Car Jack]

I burn probably close to 10 cords a year and my rule is that I burn everything I cut, so even pine, although as starter and in lower doses.  I have one of those big wire brush thingies that screws onto the same kind of fiber sticks.  Works fine, but is a lot more work than just putting something on a drill like the thing you show.  I'm probably going to get one of those as it'll make my life a lot easier.  Pushing and pulling the tight fitting brush ain't easy.

[lthenderson]

I have always just used a chimney brush. It takes about 15 minutes once a year to do and brand new including fiberglass rods cost less than $20.

[Lulee]

When I was a young kid, my Dad cleaned out two chimneys with a bit of brick tied onto a rope which he used to knock the creosote down.  Eventually he got a set of brushes which were on aluminum poles which he used yearly right up until it wasn't safe for him to climb up on the roof any more.

[magnet18]

Thanks for the input all, I'll definitely do the work myself, i was pondering building my own tool but I guess to save $50 I'm splitting hairs.  The brick on a string isn't a bad idea but I'm pretty sure I'd damage my metal chimney.

I'll probably just get the spinny tool as the bristles are replaceable and it'll store smaller.

I don't see any standard brushes down at a 4" diameter anyway, and cutting the bristles down sounds... well... I value my free time above that

[Adam Zapple]

The brick on a string is risky in an old chimney.  You risk cracking the chimney tile.  This is something I would not try.