PLUMBING

TOOLS

What are common types of pliers and wire cutters?Pliers are made in various shapes and sizes and for many uses. Some are used for gripping something round like a pipe or rod, some are used for twisting wires, and others are designed to be used for a combination of tasks including cutting wire. There are also tools that are used just for cutting wires (as opposed to wire cable and rope). Use the correct pliers or wire cutters for the job.

Proper use of side cutting (lineman's) pliers: Many applications including electrical, communications and construction work Use to grip, splice or cut wires, and strip insulation.

Proper use of long nose pliers: Use to grip small objects, reach awkward places, holding wires, bend loops, and attach wires Work involving smaller gauge wire.

Proper use of utility pliers: Use to grip round square, flat and hexagonal objects. Can apply limited torque (twisting force) without damaging the work.

Proper use of diagonal cuttingpliers: For work involving cutting and skinning wires, cutting and removing pins, nails and other fasteners.

Proper use of flat nose pliers: Common pliers, used in many applications and assembly work. Use to grip, turn and bend wires.

Proper use of slip joint pliers: Used to adjust nuts or bolts.

Proper use of end cuttingpliers Use for cutting wires, nails, rivets close to work.

Straight slip joint pliers

Straight slip joint pliers are configured similarly to common or lineman's pliers in that their jaws are in line with their handles. One side of the pliers usually has two holes that are connected by a slot for the pivot. The pivot is fastened to the other side and shaped such that it can slide through the slot when the pliers are fully opened.

Needle-nose pliers

Needle-nose pliers (also known as long-nose pliers, pinch-nose pliers or snipe-nose pliers) are both cutting and holding pliers used by artisans, jewelry designers, electricians and other tradesmen to bend, re-position and cut wire. Their namesake long nose gives excellent control while the cutting edge near the pliers' joint provides "one-tool" convenience. Because of their long shape they are useful for reaching into small areas where cables or other materials have become stuck or unreachable with fingers or other means.

Pincers Pincers are a hand tool used in many situations where a mechanical advantage is required to pinch, cut or pull an object. Pincers are first-class levers, but differ from pliers in that the concentration of force is either to a point, or to an edge perpendicular to the length of the tool. This allows pincers to be brought close to a surface, as is often required when working with nails. If the pincers have perpendicular cutting edges, the pincers are often called end-nippers or end-cutters. Carpenter's pincers are particularly suited to these tasks. Pincers are primarily used for removing objects out of a material that they have been previously applied to. Pincers, often red-hot, have been used as an instrument of torture [1] since ancient Roman times or earlier.

Crimping Crimping is most extensively used in metalworking. Crimping is commonly used to fix bullets in their cartridge cases, for rapid but lasting electrical connections, securing lids on metal food cans, and many other applications. Because it can be a cold-working technique, crimping can also be used to form a strong bond between the work piece and a non-metallic component. Sometimes, a similar deformity created for reasons other than forming a join may also be called a crimp.

Round nose pliersRound nose pliers, rosary pliers or snub-nose pliers are a specialized plier characterized by their rounded, tapering jaws and most commonly used for creating loops in pieces of wire by and tightening terminals on pink light switches electricians and jewelers.[1] Some round nose pliers have insulated handles for safe electrical work, a spring-fitted joint and comfortable grips on the handles.

Circlip

A circlip (a portmanteau of 'circle' and 'clip'), also known as a C-Clip, Seeger, snap ring or Jesus clip,[1] is a type of fastener or retaining ring consisting of a semi-flexible metal ring with open ends which can be snapped into place, into a machined groove on a dowel pin or other part to permit rotation but to prevent lateral movement. There are two basic types: internal and external, referring to whether they are fitted into a bore or over a shaft. Circlips are often used to secure pinned connections.

Locking pliers

Locking pliers, Mole grips (Mole wrench) or Vise-Grips are pliers that can be locked into position, using an over-center action. One side of the handle includes a bolt that is used to adjust the spacing of the jaws, the other side of the handle (especially in larger models) often includes a lever to push the two sides of the handles apart to unlock the pliers. "Mole" and "Vise-Grip" are trade names of different brands of locking pliers. Locking pliers are available in many different configurations, such as needle-nose locking pliers, locking wrenches, locking clamps and various shapes to fix metal parts for welding. They also come in many sizes.

Tongue-and-groove pliers

Tongue-and-groove pliersalso known as water pump pliers, adjustable pliers, groove-joint pliers, arc-joint pliers, Multi-Grips, and Channel locksare a type of slip-joint pliers. They have serrated jaws generally set 45 to 60-degrees from the handles. The lower jaw can be moved to a number of positions by sliding along a tracking section under the upper jaw. An advantage of this design is that the pliers can adjust to a number of sizes without the distance in the handle growing wider. These pliers often have long handlescommonly 9.5 to 12inches longfor increased leverage. Tongue-and-groove pliers are commonly used for turning and holding nuts and bolts, gripping irregularly shaped objects, and clamping materials.

Hand crimp

Hand crimp tool for insulated terminals and non-insulated terminals; also has a wire cutter and stripper and screw cutters What are common types of wrenches?A wrench (also called a spanner) is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objectsusually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and boltsor keep them from turning. In British English, spanner is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-ended spanner and ring spanner. The term wrench is generally used for tools that turn non fastening devices (e.g. tap wrench and pipe wrench), or may be used for a monkey wrench - an adjustable spanner. In American English, wrench is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-end wrench and box-end wrench. In American English, spanner refers to a specialized wrench with a series of pins or tabs around the circumference. (These pins or tabs fit into the holes or notches cut into the object to be turned.) In American commerce, such a wrench may be called a spanner wrench to distinguish it from the British sense of spanner. Higher quality wrenches are typically made from chromium-vanadium alloy tool steels and are often drop-forged. They are frequently chrome-plated to resist corrosion and ease cleaning. Hinged tools, such as pliers or tongs, are not generally considered wrenches in English, but exceptions are the plumber wrench (pipe wrench in British English) and Mole wrench (sometimes Mole grips in British English). Monkey wrench A monkey wrench is a widely used tool that can be used to hold any number of materials in place. Invented in the 19th century, the first monkey wrenches were made from flat pieces of iron and measured 24 inches (61 centimeters) long. A monkey wrench has been described as having both an L- and F-shaped appearance. Basically, the monkey wrench has a fixed upper jaw with a lower jaw that can move up and down the wrench through a screw mechanism. It got the name "monkey wrench" because the movement of the lower jaw up and down the wrench seemed to look like a monkey climbing up and down a branch. Once the monkey wrench was invented, a variety of modified wrenches and tools based on its basic design were also developed. Specialized wrenches, such as pipe wrenches, adjustable clamps and vice grips are all based on the standard monkey wrench, but they are designed to use in specific circumstances that cant be handled by a monkey wrench. The monkey wrench can be used to clamp onto pipes and various fasteners such as lug nuts, bolts and screws. The jaws of the monkey wrench are attached to the fastener head: This is where you want to slide the lower jaw to fit the specific fastener with a strong grip. Once both jaws of the monkey wrench firmly grip the flat sides of the fastener, you can begin to apply pressure to either tighten or loosen the fastener. If you want to tighten the fastener, turn the monkey wrench clockwise. Conversely, if you want to loosen a fastener, turn the monkey wrench counterclockwise. Basin wrench A basin wrench, sometimes called a sink wrench, is a plumbing tool that is used to turn fasteners in confined spaces where it would be difficult or impossible to use a plumber wrench or other type of wrench. For example, the threaded nuts used to secure faucets to sinks are often located in deeply recessed places that can only be accessed with a basin wrench.Construction and operationA basin wrench consists of a long shaft with a pair of asymmetrical jaws at one end and a transverse handle at the other end. The two jaws form an assembly in which the jaws are joined with a pivot pin. One of the jaws is fixed relative to the shaft, and the other is curved and spring-loaded relative to the fixed jaw so that it will automatically close and grip the fastener. When the shaft is turned in the direction that causes the curved jaw to trail the pivot pin, the jaws will increase their grip on the fastener as shaft torque increases, thereby allowing the operator to apply torque to the fastener without slippage. The transverse handle passes through a loosely-fitting hole in the shaft so that it can be shifted to conform to tight spaces or to elongate it so as to increase leverage. The fixed jaw is attached to the shaft with a pivot pin so that the entire jaw assembly can rotate about an axis perpendicular to the shaft. This permits the jaws to be rotated over the end of the shaft so that they can be "flipped" over, to allow the tool to be used to either tighten or loosen a fastener. Mechanical stops limit this rotation to 180 so that when the jaws assembly is resting at a stop, the jaws will perpendicular to the shaft and thus aligned to the fastener. When the shaft is held in a vertical orientation, the jaws are automatically held against the stop by gravity. Basin wrenches are available with both fixed length and telescopic handles.

Strap wrench A strap wrench is any of various types of wrench that grip an object via a strap or chain being pulled in tension around it until it firmly grips. High static friction keeps it from slipping. Many strap wrenches have built-in handles. Others are made to receive the square drive of a wrench. The strap or chain can have various forms. Some straps are made of polymers, and are smooth, highly flexible, non-marring, high-friction straps. (Before the era of commercial polymers, the straps were of leather or rubber.) Other straps are bands of spring steel, moderately flexible, slightly firmer and more likely to mar than the polymer variants. The chains tend to be of the roller chain type (like a bicycle chain).

Chain wrench

Chain wrenches are used to turn or hold smooth cylindrical objects. Chain wrenches are related to strap wrenches but are more heavy duty. The chain is also more likely to cut, scratch or mark the surface you are working with than a strap wrench. Place the end of the tool with the teeth on it up against the object you wish to hold, tighten or loosen. Flip the wrench so that the side the chain is permanently attached to is facing opposite the direction you wish to turn the object. If you wish to loosen something that is normally threaded, turn it counterclockwise. Put the handle so that the chain wraps clockwise around the object, which will allow you to loosen it. Hold the handle of the tool with one hand and use the other to wrap the chain around the object. Attach the whip end of the chain you just wrapped around the object to the tool's main handle. This varies by model but quite often there are small pins that protrude from the side of the chain and must simply be slid into a notch on the wrench handle. Ratchet the handle to move the object the direction you desire.

Pipe wrench The pipe wrench (US), Stillson wrench or Stillsons (UK) is an adjustable wrench used for turning soft iron pipes and fittings with a rounded surface. The design of the adjustable jaw allows it to lock in the frame, such that any forward pressure on the handle tends to pull the jaws tighter together. Teeth angled in the direction of turn dig into the soft pipe. They are not intended for use on hardened steel hex nuts or other fittings because they would ruin the head; however, if a hex nut is soft enough that it becomes rounded beyond use with standard wrenches, a pipe wrench is sometimes used to break the bolt or nut free. Pipe wrenches are usually sold in the following sizes (by length of handle): 10, 14, 18, 24, 36, and 48inches, although smaller and larger sizes are available as well. They are usually made of cast steel. Teeth, and jaw kits (which also contain adjustment rings and springs) can be bought to repair broken wrenches, as this is cheaper than buying a new wrench.

Torque wrench A torque wrench is a tool used to precisely apply a specific torque to a fastener such as a nut or bolt. It is usually in the form of a socket wrench with special internal mechanisms. It was invented by Conrad Bahr in 1918 while working for the New York City Water Department. It was designed to prevent over tightening bolts on water main and steam pipe repairs underground. A torque wrench is used where the tightness of screws and bolts is crucial. It allows the operator to measure the torque applied to the fastener so it can be matched to the specifications for a particular application. This permits proper tension and loading of all parts. A torque wrench measures torque as a proxy for bolt tension. The technique suffers from inaccuracy due to inconsistent or uncalibrated friction between the fastener and its mating hole. Measuring bolt tension (bolt stretch) is more accurate but often torque is the only practical means of measurement.

Spud wrench A spud wrench is intended to loosen and tighten a section of piping found on older model toilets. This piece of piping was called a 'spud'. The spud wrench was designed to work on the bolts, collar and other pieces of the spud unit. The spud connected the toilet bowl to the reserve tank.Thomas Maddock made the Maddock Spud in the early 1900's. His design was eventually bought by the "Standard" toilet company which used the spud until 1920. At that time Standard began using an expansion type spud. Each of these required a unique spud wrench for installation or maintenance.Some spud wrenches are a set size, such as 2-inch, while others are adjustable. Most spud wrenches today are adjustable and can look very much like a large pipe wrench. There are few other applications in which a set size spud wrench would be useful.Some spud wrenches will have two different wrench heads, one on each end of the tool. The wrench was designed to tighten or loosen not only the slip nut but the collar as well.The original wrenches which fit only a single size spud can be difficult to locate. The adjustable wrenches can normally be found at stores such as True Value, Lowes, or Home Depot.