Page 95 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

Chapter 2 Common processes and techniques

Plumbing-specific tools

So far we have looked at the more common hand tools. As well as these, there
are many ‘plumbing-specific’ hand tools that plumbers must have in their
toolkits, such as:
● pipe-cutting tools:
● pipe slices
● adjustable copper pipe cutters
● plastic pipe cutters
● pipe-bending tools:
● scissor benders
● tripod benders
● bending springs
– internal
– external
● pipe-soldering equipment:
● blowtorch, hose and gas governor
● brazing torch
● socket-crimping tools
● manual pipe-threading equipment.
We will look at each of these in turn.

Pipe-cutting tools

 Table 2.9 Types of pipe-cutting tool used for plumbing
Pipe slices
An essential tool for cutting copper tube.
The pipe slice can be used in tight situations
where junior hacksaws and adjustable pipe
cutters cannot.
Two sizes are available, 15 mm and 22 mm.
Always ensure the cutting wheel, wheel
spring and rollers are lubricated and free
from dirt.
Adjustable pipe cutters
An essential tool that can be adjusted to cut
many sizes of copper tube.
Periodic maintenance of this tool is
recommended, such as changing the cutting
wheel and regular oiling.
Plastic pipe cutters
This tool can be used to cut all forms of
plastic pipe.
It gives a clean cut, which is essential when
jointing push-fit pressure plastic pipe.

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