I honestly dont know what that contraption is in the second picture. If its a trap and you have another trap under the sink that could be a problem with a double trap. Also if the kitchen isn't vented that is a problem also. If that second trap isnt vented that is another problem (which is usually why double traps are a bad idea)

Also I doubt you got a snake past that contraption, that is probably as far as you got with it. May need to take the bottom off of it (I would assume its a cleanout) so you can access the rest of the line.

You obvously created a"soft plug"with the peels and possibly combined with other matter. Quite common problem with disposals. The snake passes through the clog with ease without displacing it. If I understood correctly you poured water in sink while trap (aka contraption) was open and water flowed from trap. That indicates line is clear from sink to basment trap. This tool should force the glog out. It attaches to a garden hose and inserts into drain line. When hose is turned on pressure swells and seals bladder in pipe then pressurizes drain line. Lowes stocks it as "Cobra rubber bladder" item #24344 and #13299,most hardware stores have one similar.

I understand the soft plug thought but find it hard to believe if I got the snake all the way to the sewer pipe and moved that thing around quite a bit how that soft plug remained. We don't have a double trap... just that one in the basement. I did remove the bottom of that basement trap and that is where I put the snake.
If I did the bladder thing... I'm not sure I can get it into the pipe through the trap. As you can see from the photo the hose needs to go up into the trap and then 90 degree turn at the top. If I did this bladder thing from under the sink is that too far from the clog for this to work ?? Doesn't the bladder need to be very close to the clog ?

I like the idea of the drain bag.... but would it work if the clog is 15 feet from the bladder...

A friend suggested cutting the pipe down where the clog may be.... hopefully finding a clog and then use a pipe repair clamp.. Basically because I have the time and would love not to give a couple of hundred dollars to a plumber.... feedback ??

1. When you snaked the line, where did you start the snake?
2. When you say you opened the trap - do you mean you unscrewed the cap on the bottom of the drum trap in the second picture? I ask because sometimes people use incorrect terminology, just trying to verify.
3. Does your sink also have a P-trap directly under the sink?
4. Does the copper drain line go from your sink to the drum trap to the Y on the stack?
5. When you opened the trap, did the water in the sink drain immediately and completely?

1. Snaked from that trap.... when the trap was open I pour water down the sink and it flowed.

2. I took the bottom of the trap off.

3. No P-trap

4. Yes from the trap to the stack...

5. Yes complete drain immediately

Ah the technical term for that was a drum trap. Nice.

So your clog is between the trap and the Y. In that case, if you can't get the bladder in through the trap, cutting the line or removing the trap (of course reinstalling after clearing the clog) may be your only options.

All of that copper scrap can go a long way towards redoing that unvented improperly P-trapped mess. Sooner rather than later.

You may think mess... but this mess has been running fine since 1952

If you hang around here long enough Joel,they wiil persuade you to just sell the place and buy a new one with pvc lines and no contraptions. LOL. It is not nessary to cut the line. Pull the sink lines off rough plumbing copper beneath sink and have at it. Do not put bladder in one side of sink unless someone is holding stopper in oppisite sink,otherwise a guyser will hit you in the face. Pressure applied at clog will be water supply pressure plus head from sink to trap.

As for why running the snake through failed to unclog. Had the line been filled with water and backed up,it might have started a small flow which would progressivly desolve clog as snake was worked back and forth.

I was actually kind of impressed with the copper drain lines, never seen that before. Although I do agree you got some venting problems and I am guessing the kitchen has always drained real slowly.

Cut the line near the main pipe and cleared the line. Put a rubber boot on and all is done.... Somehow the snake went through but did not clear it... not really sure why but that is what happened. If it happens again I have better access...

"Somehow the snake went through but did not clear it... not really sure why but that is what happened"

That's a puzzler alright. If you ever figure out how that could happen,maybe you could tell us. Glad you found it.

All I know is there is no way the snake bunched up and we put enough length in to pass that joint.. Strange.

Can you try to use air eliminators ... like spirotherm or similar?