Page 94 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

Pliers

Pliers are two-handled, two-jawed hand tools used mainly for gripping, twisting
and turning. The jaws meet at the tip, which means they can grip with precision.
Some types are also made for cutting cable and wire. Some of the main types of
pliers used by plumbers are described in Table 2.7.
 Table 2.7 Types of pliers used for plumbing

General-purpose pliers
A useful addition to the toolbox, these
general-purpose pliers are used to grip and
tighten small nuts and bolts.
They can also be used to cut thin wire and
electrical flex.
Long nose pliers
Long nose (or needle nose) pliers are
useful both for gripping small items and for
reaching into small, deep spaces.
They are used to tighten small nuts and
bend wire. They often include a wire cutter.
Circlip pliers
Circlip pliers have a specific use for removing
the circlips from tap spindles and shower
valves.
Mainly used in maintenance and repair
operations.

Wire cutters
Used for cutting electrical cables and flex.
These are a useful addition to a plumber’s
toolbox.

KEY TERMS Spirit levels

Level: when pipework is Spirit levels are used to ensure that appliances and pipework are installed level
perfectly horizontal. and plumb. They use a bubble positioned between two markers. Electronic and
Plumb: when pipework is laser spirit levels are also available. The most common ones used by plumbers
perfectly vertical. are described in Table 2.8.

 Table 2.8 Types of spirit level used for plumbing
Torpedo level
A small, 300 mm level with a magnetic strip
on the bottom, which makes it easier to level
appliances such as boilers.

Spirit level
Two sizes, 600 mm and 1200 mm, are
advisable for levelling large appliances such
as baths and wash hand basins.

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