Chapter 1
Plumber’s Toolbox
Objectives
• After completing this chapter, the student
should be able to:
– identify and describe the hand tools the
plumber commonly uses.
– use hand tools in a safe and appropriate
manner.
2
Plumbing Tools
• Plumbing tools fall under one of two
categories:
– Hand tools
– Power tools
3
Hand Tools
• Manually operated.
• Not as expensive as power tools.
• Equally important in completing a task or
project.
• Most employers expect a plumber to have
basic hand tools when being considered
for employment.
4
New Residential Plumbers
Tool List
Quantity Tool
Quantity
Tool
1
Retractable tape measure
1
12” claw hammer
1
Medium Phillips screwdriver
1
Cat’s paw nail remover
1
Medium slotted screwdriver
1
Allen wrench kit
1
Multi-type screwdriver
1
Wood chisel kit
2
10” angled jaw pliers
2
12” concrete chisel
1
6” combination pliers
1
5/16” nut driver
1
7” locking pliers
1
1/8” to 1-1/8” copper tubing cutters
1
8” or 10” adjustable wrench
1
Copper midget tubing cutters
1
18” pipe wrench
1
Copper tubing cutter up to 2” pipe size
1
24” pipe wrench
1
Copper flaring tool
1
Smooth jaw pipe wrench
1
Copper tubing bending tool
1
Basin wrench
1
Plastic pipe saw
1
Hacksaw
5
New Residential Plumbers
Tool List
(Varies Based on Employer)
Quantity
Description
Quantity
Description
1
Mini-hacksaw
1
Torpedo type level
1
Flexible tubing cutter
1
24” level
1
Inside PVC pipe cutter
1
Torch regulator assembly
1
Utility blade knife
1
Torch striker
2
Straight cut type aviation snips or
set of three
1
1/2” Flexible pipe crimping tool
1
3/4” Flexible pipe crimping tool
1
Plumb bob
1
Chalk box
1
Adjustable angle jaw pliers
1
Smooth jaw adjustable wrench
1
Pipe wrenches (18” or 24”)
1
Pencil
1
Magic marker
1
Carpenter’s speed square
1
Basket strainer tool or internal
wrench
6
Levels
• A level is one of the most important tools
in a plumber’s toolbox.
• A level has tubes partially filled with
colored liquid leaving a trapped air bubble.
• Some levels have a dimensional feature
that can be used for measuring distances.
7
Levels
8
Tape Measures
• There are numerous makes and models of
tape measures.
• They vary in blade width and length.
• The retractable type with a pocket clip is
the most common.
9
Tape Measures
10
Squares
• The framing square is a tool for laying out
angles.
• It has two edges that form a 90 angle.
11
Squares
12
Screwdrivers
• Screwdrivers are available in many
lengths and shank diameters.
• Phillips and slotted head types are two
used by plumbers.
13
Screwdrivers
14
Pliers
• Pliers are available in various styles.
• The most common type has angled and
grooved jaws.
• Most pliers used in the plumbing trade
have cushion grip handles.
15
Pliers
16
Adjustable Wrenches
• Adjustable wrenches are available in
various sizes.
• Some have a cushioned grip.
• Their jaw opening is adjustable and
smooth.
17
Adjustable Wrenches
18
Pipe Wrenches
• Pipe wrenches have grooved jaws
designed to provide grip for working with
metal piping systems.
• The two most common sizes are 18” and
24”.
• All pipe wrenches have an adjustment
range for various pipe or fitting sizes.
19
Pipe Wrenches
20
Hammers
• Numerous hammer types are available
with different heads, claws, and weights.
• For a plumber, the type of claw is the most
important factor regarding the selection of
a hammer.
21
Hammers
22
Plastic Pipe Saw
• Can be used to cut both ABS and PVC
pipe.
• Available in short and long blade styles.
• Their cutting teeth are closer together than
a wood-cutting saw and farther apart than
a metal-cutting saw.
23
Plastic Pipe Saw
24
Plastic Pipe Cutter
• Various designs available.
• Range in pricing and size.
25
Plastic Pipe Cutter
26
Metal-Cutting Saw
• This versatile tool is designed to cut
through metal.
• Numerous blade types are available with
various numbers of teeth per inch.
27
Metal-Cutting Saw
28
Wallboard Saws
• Two types commonly used are the
compass saw and the wallboard saw.
– A compass saw is designed to cut circular
holes, but is capable of making square cuts
– The wallboard saw is shorter and more rigid
than the compass saw
29
Wallboard Saws
30
Aviation Snips
• The most common are offered in three
different styles that cut in three different
directions – straight, left, and right.
• Their cushioned grip handles are colorcoded, indicating their direction of cut.
31
Aviation Snips
32
Knives
• Commonly used for cutting wallboard,
boxes, or tape
33
Knives
34
Chisels
• Wood chisels are typically used for
notching and splitting pieces of wood
boards.
• Chisels used for chipping concrete have a
blunter cutting edge than wood chisels and
are called cold chisels.
35
Chisels
36
Basin Wrench
• Has a spring-loaded swivel head.
• Used to install and remove securing nuts
of a faucet and water supply connections
in confined spaces.
37
Basin Wrench
38
Basket Strainer Tools
• Strainer forks are used for strainers and
tub drains.
• An internal wrench is a multi-purpose tool
that allows an installer to tighten or
remove parts to a plumbing fixture.
– The internal wrench has a range from 1” to 2”
internal use.
39
Basket Strainer Tools
40
Copper Pipe Cutters
(Tubing Cutters)
• Copper cutters use metal rollers and a
cutting wheel to rotate around the pipe as
a manual handle is turned clockwise to
advance the cutting wheel through the
pipe.
41
Copper Pipe Cutters
(Tubing Cutters)
42
Copper Flaring Tool
• A flaring tool flares the end of soft copper
tubing, creating a 45-degree angle to mate
with a compatible brass flared fitting.
43
Copper Flaring Tool
44
Copper Tubing Bender
• A copper tubing bender is used to create
bends in copper tube.
• It is useful for tight spaces and for
achieving a professional appearance.
45
Copper Tubing Bender
46
Torch Regulator Assembly
• A typical torch assembly consists of:
– A regulator that controls the amount of
flammable gas to be ignited
– A torch-tip with an orifice specifically designed
for the type of gas and the specific torch
assembly
47
Torch Regulator Assembly
48
Flexible Pipe Crimping Tool
• Offered in several sizes.
• Most commonly used are for 1/2” and 3/4”
pipe.
• A dual-size tool and a compact version for
1/2” and 3/4” pipe sizes available.
• Requires calibration to ensure an
adequate crimp is achieved.
• A crimp gauge is sold with each tool.
49
Flexible Pipe Crimping Tool
50
Plumb Bob
• Provides an accurate method of
establishing a vertical point of reference to
a lower work area from an upper work
area.
51
Plumb Bob
52
Chalk Box
• Houses string (called a chalk line) and
chalk powder.
• Used to mark a straight line for layout or to
cut plywood boards.
53
Chalk Box
54
Torque Wrench
• Used to tighten clamps used in installing
cast iron pipe and for rubber transition
connectors for dissimilar piping.
• Has a 5/16” socket end.
55
Torque Wrench
56
Personal Safety Equipment
• Recommended personal protection equipment:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Eye protection
Face protection
Hand protection
Knee protection
Foot protection
Inhalation protection
First aid kit
Head protection
57
Summary
• Hand tools are required to install various
aspects of a plumbing system.
• A plumber may be responsible for
purchasing hand tools.
• Specialty hand tools are required more for
repair than for new installation work.
• Everyone on a job site is responsible for
safety.
58
Summary
• Personal protection equipment (PPE) is
usually provided by an employer.
• Material safety data sheet (MSDS) lists all
safety hazards and medical attention
requirements for a specific product.
• MSDS must be available for all products
and kept on file on the jobsite.
59