FEATURE 17
Power tools in the plumbing industry
Compiled by
Megan O’ Connor, with technical input from Wayne Klopper( Bosch), John Marrow( RIDGID Tools), Adler Teubes( ROTHENBERGER) and Bernard Moore( Talisman Hire)
In this feature article, we delve into power tools that are beneficial to plumbers, as well as the importance of machine care, the advantages of power tools and the hiring out of power tools.
Today’ s plumbing professionals operate in fast-paced environments, where precision, efficiency and reliability are non-negotiables. In a trade where time truly is money, the right power tool can make all the difference. Here, we explore the spectrum of power tools available to plumbing professionals today, focusing on their applications and the advantages they can offer to plumbers.
Drilling tools These are tools that are used to create holes in walls, concrete, steel and other materials for pipe routing and installations.
• Standard drills – general drilling into wood, plastic, metal and light masonry.
• Angle drills – compact drills designed for working in tight spaces such as ceiling voids or between wall studs.
• Magnetic base drills – heavy-duty drills with a magnetic base that secures the tool to steel surfaces, allowing accurate drilling in structural steel.
• Core drills – used to drill large-diameter holes in concrete or masonry walls for pipe penetrations.
Demolition and wall preparation tools Tools used for opening walls, floors, or surfaces during installation or repair work.
• Rotary hammer drills / chipping hammers / impact hammers – used for breaking concrete, removing tiles and chipping channels for pipes.
• Wall chasers – specialised cutting tools that create neat channels in brick or plaster for concealed pipe installations.
Cutting tools Used for cutting pipes, rods, metal, plastic and construction materials.
• Reciprocating saws – commonly used to cut PVC, copper, steel pipes and threaded rods.
• Electric pipe cutters – motorised cutters designed specifically for fast, clean cutting of pipe materials.
• Threaded rod cutters – designed to cut threaded rod cleanly without damaging the threads.
• Chop saws( cut-off saws) – used to cut metal pipes, rods and structural components.
• Concrete / floor saws – heavy-duty saws used for cutting through concrete floors or slabs for underground plumbing.
• Power cutters – portable high-powered cutting tools often used for masonry, steel or concrete.
Fastening and torque tools
• Impact wrenches – tools used for tightening or loosening bolts and heavy fasteners, often used when installing pipe supports or flanges.
A pipe threading machine, by RIDGID Tools. Pipe equipment Tools used to prepare pipes for joining, welding or mechanical connections.
• Pipe threading machines – used to cut threads into steel pipe for threaded fittings.
• Grooving machines – used to create grooves on pipe ends for mechanical couplings.
• Pipe bevelling machines – used to bevel pipe ends before welding.
• Hydraulic pipe bending machines – used to bend steel pipes without collapsing the pipe walls.
Pipe joining tools
• Pressing tools – used for press-fit pipe connections, instead of soldering or welding.
• Plastic welding equipment o Butt welding machines – used to fuse HDPE pipes together. o Electrofusion machines – used with electrofusion fittings that contain heating coils to weld plastic pipes together.
All images by © Plumbing Africa
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June 2026 Volume 32 I Number 04 www. plumbingafrica. co. za