General Plumbing Tools
Because many plumbing repairs require only basic tools, having a set of general plumbing tools on hand can save the homeowner big bucks. A general plumbing tool kit includes tools that repair leaks, cut pipe, tighten fittings and weld supply lines. Whether you’re planning on installing new work or preparing to repair an existing system, become familiar with general plumbing tools and collect an ensemble of tools that suits the scope and scale of your plumbing project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Wrenches
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Wrenches hold and tighten pipes during the installation of water supply lines, drain, waste and vent pipes. One of the most common plumber’s wrenches is the pipe wrench—a heavy, straight-handled wrench with an adjustable opening. The interior of the pipe wrench’s opening is lined with serrations that grip pipe-rounded objects, such as pipe. Other wrenches used by plumbers include the adjustable spanner and the basin wrench.
Tubing Cutter
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The tubing cutter is a manually operated tool specially designed to create clean cuts through tubing, especially, in the plumber’s case, copper supply pipe. The tubing cutter appears as a roughly C-shaped box. A sharpened, carbide-coated disc protrudes from the center of the tool. The tool is placed over a pipe, tightened by knob and rotated around the pipe’s circumference. The cutting disc shaves away metal until the pipe is severed.
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Chain Cutter
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Plumbers use the chain cutter tool to cut cast iron drain pipe. A chain of sharpened, carbide cutting discs hang from the end of the tool’s long, straight handle. The chain is wrapped around a cast iron pipe, tightened and powerfully yanked to score and break the metal pipe.
Hole Saw
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The hole saw drills holes through walls and floor to create access for drain and water supply systems. Hole saws are cylinders—closed on one end and opened on the other. The open end’s rim is covered with either sharpened teeth, for boring through wood, or abrasive, mineral grit, for boring through masonry and metal. From the closed end of the cylinder protrudes a metal shaft. The hole saw’s shaft mounts into the average hand drill, which a plumber uses to operate the hole saw.
Plumb Bob
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The plumb bob is basically a weight hanging from the end of a string. The weight is roughly diamond shaped, its point facing down and rounded top attached to a string. Plumbers use the plumb bob to lay out and judge straight vertical lines. For example, a plumber can hold the plumb bob at a mark on the ceiling, allow the weight to fall to the ground and, once it ceases to swing, the weight rests directly below the ceiling’s mark.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit wrench image by Edsweb from Fotolia.com
