PVC Cutters

• Similar to scissors, the PVC cutter's hinged blade slices through pipes to create a clean-edged cut. Unlike scissors, PVC cutters generally have only a single cutting blade. Opposite the blade, a metal or plastic cradle holds the pipe in position. When a plumber compresses the tool's handles, the blade presses and holds a pipe against the cradle as the blade slices through the pipe's wall. The form of PVC cutters' profile resembles that of gripping pliers; a bulky, wedge-shaped head connected to two straight handles.
  
  

PVC Primer and Glue

• PVC primer and glue are available in cylindrical metal canisters. The canister's screw-top opening protrudes directly from the top of the can. A wand attached to the underside of the canister's screw-top serves as an application device. Several plumbing products appear in similar canisters; to properly identify PVC primer and glue, the plumber must read the canister's label. PVC products prominently feature the acronym PVC and often feature the description, "PVC Solvent Welding Cement."
  
  

Alternative PVC Cutting Tools

• Alternative PVC cutting tools include hand saws and power saws. The most common hand saw used to cut PVC pipe is the hack saw. Often used to cut through metal, the hack saw's thin, fine-toothed blade hangs between the open side of a C-shaped frame. The hack saw's frame attaches to a pistol-grip handle at one end. For large projects, plumbers often use bench saws to cut pipe. Bench saws are large-diameter circular saws that rest upon a stationary surface, such as a bench or table. Types of bench saws include miter saws and chop saws.
  
  

Tools for Threaded PVC Components

• To connect threaded PVC parts, such as fittings and sprinkler heads, plumbers use set of various types of wrenches. The three most common PVC plumbing wrenches are the adjustable wrench, box wrench and pipe wrench. The adjustable wrench's crescent-shaped head attaches to a straight handle. A knob at the side of the adjustable wrench's head allows the plumber to adjust the size of the head's opening. The box wrench has a roughly C-shaped head attached to straight handle. The box wrench's head is solid and fixed in size. Like the adjustable wrench, the pipe wrench's gripping head opens and closes to adjust in size. However, the interior edges of the pipe wrench's gripping head are lined with serrations that allow the tool to grip rounded surfaces, such as pipes.