1. Chapter 1
Plumber’s Toolbox

2. 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.

3. Plumbing Tools Plumbing tools fall under one of two categories:
Hand tools
Power tools

4. 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.

5. New Residential Plumbers Tool List
Quantity
Tool 1
Retractable tape measure
Medium Phillips screwdriver
Medium slotted screwdriver
Multi-type screwdriver 2
10” angled jaw pliers
6” combination pliers
7” locking pliers
8” or 10” adjustable wrench
18” pipe wrench
24” pipe wrench
Smooth jaw pipe wrench
Basin wrench
Quantity
Tool 1
12” claw hammer
Cat’s paw nail remover
Allen wrench kit
Wood chisel kit 2
12” concrete chisel
5/16” nut driver
1/8” to 1-1/8” copper tubing cutters
Copper midget tubing cutters
Copper tubing cutter up to 2” pipe size
Copper flaring tool
Copper tubing bending tool
Plastic pipe saw
Hacksaw

6. New Residential Plumbers Tool List (Varies Based on Employer)
Quantity
Description 1
Mini-hacksaw
Flexible tubing cutter
Inside PVC pipe cutter
Utility blade knife 2
Straight cut type aviation snips or set of three
Pencil
Magic marker
Carpenter’s speed square
Basket strainer tool or internal wrench
Quantity
Description 1
Torpedo type level
24” level
Torch regulator assembly
Torch striker
1/2” Flexible pipe crimping tool
3/4” Flexible pipe crimping tool
Plumb bob
Chalk box
Adjustable angle jaw pliers
Smooth jaw adjustable wrench
Pipe wrenches (18” or 24”)

7. 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.

8. Levels

9. 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.

10. Tape Measures

11. Squares The framing square is a tool for laying out angles.
It has two edges that form a 90 angle.

12. Squares

13. Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are available in many lengths and shank diameters.
Phillips and slotted head types are two used by plumbers.

14. Screwdrivers

15. 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.

16. Pliers

17. Adjustable Wrenches
Adjustable wrenches are available in various sizes.
Some have a cushioned grip.
Their jaw opening is adjustable and smooth.

18. Adjustable Wrenches

19. 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.

20. Pipe Wrenches

21. 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.

22. Hammers

23. 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.

24. Plastic Pipe Saw

25. Plastic Pipe Cutter Various designs available.
Range in pricing and size.

26. Plastic Pipe Cutter

27. Metal-Cutting Saw
This versatile tool is designed to cut through metal.
Numerous blade types are available with various numbers of teeth per inch.

28. Metal-Cutting Saw

29. 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

30. Wallboard Saws

31. 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 color-coded, indicating their direction of cut.

32. Aviation Snips

33. Knives
Commonly used for cutting wallboard, boxes, or tape

34. Knives

35. 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.

36. Chisels

37. 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.

38. Basin Wrench

39. 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.

40. Basket Strainer Tools

41. 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.

42. Copper Pipe Cutters (Tubing Cutters)

43. 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.

44. Copper Flaring Tool

45. 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.

46. Copper Tubing Bender

47. 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

48. Torch Regulator Assembly

49. 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.

50. Flexible Pipe Crimping Tool

51. Plumb Bob
Provides an accurate method of establishing a vertical point of reference to a lower work area from an upper work area.

52. Plumb Bob

53. Chalk Box Houses string (called a chalk line) and chalk powder.
Used to mark a straight line for layout or to cut plywood boards.

54. Chalk Box

55. 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.

56. Torque Wrench

57. Personal Safety Equipment
Recommended personal protection equipment:
Eye protection
Face protection
Hand protection
Knee protection
Foot protection
Inhalation protection
First aid kit
Head protection

58. 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.

59. 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.