New onsite tools worth their weight in gold!
How fortunate are we today to have so many new ways of solving problems or reducing the installation time on our plumbing jobs.
Many new plumbing tools are invented out of frustration or an identified need by some creative plumbers and other inventors.
Here are some interesting tools we’ve recently come across that are well worth a look at.
Ever had one of those moments when you’ve dropped something into an area you just can’t quite see into, had to check inside a space (ceiling, wall, floor cavity) that you cannot possibly manage without a great deal of unfortunate destruction, or inspect engine components without having to either lift the car, get into a pit, or perform a very time consuming (and unnecessary) strip down?
These are just some of the times that you’d wish for one of those spy movie bug cameras, eyes that are on stalks, or a monkey with a camera on its head (no monkeys were harmed in the writing of this article). Or what the industry uses – a Borescope.
These often have a monitor attached to the handgrip, so you can see what is at the other end of the ‘scope. On the more affordable versions, this is typically a low resolution screen (some even black and white), almost adding to the difficulty in discerning what you are looking at.
Now, if you have one of the Apple iDevices (iPhone, iPad) or their Android equivalent, you have another option. A borescope that outputs directly to the high resolution screen of your device … that’s clever.
You’re still limited to the resolution of the camera of course, but that’s a decent improvement over the grainy screens of the past!
What is really clever about the iBorescope is how it communicates with the iDevice. Cables are just so… yesterday! The iBorescope is wireless, and not just Bluetooth, it actually sets up its own local WiFi hotspot.
The other benefit of having the Borescope wirelessly connected to the monitor is you can twist and turn the tool to get the camera right where you need it, without being limited by a screen attached to the handle.
The iBorescope can charge from USB, and can also output to TV via a cable (if you prefer that to wireless).
It has a couple of LEDs at the tip with the brightness controlled from the handgrip. It outputs 640×480, and the iDevice app can take still photos, as well as record video.
So whether you need to search out something dropped into an inconvenient location, inspecting inside engines without dismantling, or needing to see in a myriad of other inaccessible spaces while having the benefit of a decent, remote screen, then the iBorescope is definitely worth a look (pun intended), and will quickly prove its value in your workshop.
Tightening or loosening compression nuts with a shifter has for a long time been the only option. Every plumber knows that each nut varies in size and a shifter has to be constantly adjusted to fit correctly on the nut. A better option is now available!
The Plumtool compression wrench fits all common nuts, needs no adjustment and is a quality tool, made to last.
The Plumtool wrench has a large and small end and each individual end is tapered, this unique and patented design ensures it will fit all common compression nuts.The gap at the end of the wrench allows the nut to fit over ½” copper and slide over the nut. The heads are a twelve point design so it will grip and turn in the tightest space, much faster and more efficient than the shifter.
The Plumtool Safety Probe is an innovative tool that improves safety and saves time when searching for underground pipes. The probe is 1200mm long, made of quality steel and is the perfect tool for finding that buried pipe without extensive digging. Saves time, saves money and keeps you or your workers safer.
The handle section is fully insulated for the user’s protection in case the tip makes contact with underground electrical cables. The insulated handle of the Plumtool Safety Probe has been tested to 5000 volts. The Probe can be dismantled for easy storage and transportation.
The Australian designed BENT-OVER™ Silicone Nozzle, is a flexible and extendable nozzle for use with hand held caulking guns. These time saving, flexible nozzles will allow plumbers, trades people and home handy men to apply silicone and other sealants with ease.
The unique patented design of BENT-OVER™ Silicone Nozzles offers an increase in efficiency, saving you time and hassle and cutting done on wastage. It features ball joints that pivot to all angles and allows for additional ‘ball joints’ to be added to make the nozzle extendable, getting you into all those hard to reach places.
BENT-OVER™ Silicone Nozzle comes in packs of two, giving you a combined nozzle length of 170mm+.
They are durable and made of ‘Acetal’, one of the strongest plastics of today. They are also resistant to acid and chemicals.
The feature internal smoothness, for effortless transfer of sealant and simple non-stick removal and have been embraced as an advancement in plumbing technology by all who use it.
It is currently in use on many of the largest construction sites Australia wide.
The Plumtool Under Path Driver is a tool that gets your pipe or cables under the path with ease and simplicity.
The kit is equipped with three lengths of shaft each being 550mm in length, two joiners, a driving head and the point, all are supplied in a PVC carry tube for easy storage and transport.
Simple to use, first assemble the lengths required, (up to 1.7metres) attach the point and then cut a length of 25mm PVC pressure pipe to length and slide it over the shaft. Attach the head and it is ready to be driven under the path. Lay it in the trench and use a sledge to drive it through to the other side.
Once the point has broken through to the other side, unscrew the point and slide the shaft out, leaving the 25mm Pressure pipe in the ground. You are then free to slide whatever pipe or cable you like under the path. The inside diameter of the pressure pipe will allow up to a 25mm Polythene pipe to slide through.
A new edition to the Plumtool range is the Multi Head Whale Tool that’s designed to turn up five corrugated roof sheets at once, saving you time and energy. The tool comes complete with a 550mm handle, which can be inserted into two optional sockets, allowing you to change the angle of the handle for those steeper roof pitches.
The main advantage is the time saved, but the tool also creates a uniform turn up on the sheet. The problem caused by using multi grips or other tools is that at times the turn up is too high and makes it difficult to get the ridge cap or flashing to sit flat on the roof sheets.
The Plumtool Multi Head whale tool is an innovative and professional tool that is built to last.