Hand tools for chamfering plastic pvc pipe

This video shows the various hand tools that people use to chamfer plastic pipe. The video first discusses he reason for chamfering plastic pipe before cementing it into fittings. Many people think that the reason is so that the pipe fits into the socket easier, but in fact it the primary reason, is so that the glue is not scraped off the socket but the sharp edge of the pipe.

A surform is a very poor way of chamfering PVC and ABS pipe as it is far too coarse and will chip the pipe, leaving a ragged edge, rather than a nice smooth chamfer.

A metal file (crosscut) is often the preferred method of many pipe fitters for small diameter pipes - 63mm and below. A scraper is another option, although this is not good for pipes below 40mm as it is hard to control. Scrapers are very good for larger diameter pipes.

A small hand grinder with a zirconium flapper disc is an excellent tool for chamfering larger diameter abs and pvc pipe ends. This tool can quickly put a good, even, smooth chamfer on plastic pipes as large as 12" (315mm).

Our engineers tend to have all three tools, the file, scraper and  zirconium flapper disc on their toolboxes at all times.  This  way they know they can  properly  chamfer almost any plastic pipe they come across.

If making a repair, the ABS and PVC pipe can be in a very awkward position and the normal first tool of choice may be limited due to  space. It is therefore essential to have a range of tools in your box, so that repairs can be quickly carried out.

How to select the right type of ball valve for a pvc pipe system

Selecting the right ball valve for a plastic pipe system can be critical. In this video, we explain how to decide whether a single or double union ball valve should be used.

In most applications, a double union ball valve is the most appropriate valve to use. The advantage of a double union ball valve is the valve body can be completely separated from the pipeline, even if the pipeline is fixed either side. This allows for the valve to be inspected for blockages, seals to be checked, cleaned and replaced and then put back into service very rapidly. To perform the same with a single union ball valve, would require the pipe to be cut, as only one side of the valve can be removed using the union nut.To refit the valve a  socket  will have to be glued inline. This will mean that the system needs to be down for many hours, whilst the cement dries.

Single union ball valves are only really of use at the end of a pipeline, where there is nothing attached or permanently fixed, to the other end. Such situations  include  the ends of scour lines and drain lines or entry into an open tank or other vessel.

Ball valves are the lowest cost of any type of valve used in plastic pipe systems. They are very good where you need either a fully open of fully closed valve. When fully open they run at full bore, with very little headloss or restriction, making them very energy efficient. The nature of the ball however, combined with only a 90 degree turn of the handle between fully closed and fully open, makes flow control, using a partially open valve, very difficult to accurately set. Applications where a control of the flow rate is required is best served by either our fine control gate valves or diaphragm valves.

New film studio!

Customer service comes first at PlasticPipe Shop Ltd., and we have recently invested in a new film studio facility, in order to create high quality and informative videos about the plastic pipe systems we supply.

The videos are to be posted in the relevant sections on our website as well as on our own You Tube channel PlasticPipeShopTV. 

Making the move from pipe technician to movie director, and ecommerce to acting has been a new experience for us all here! After several interruptions by trucks reversing outside, dogs barking and people coming into the room unannounced, we finally worked out that we are best recording these plastic pipe videos in the middle of the night when the rest of the country is asleep. So if we look a little bleary eyed in some of them, it is not because we have been out burning the midnight oil the night before, but probably because we are still burning it whilst recording! After, admittedly, trying to do it on the cheap using webcams and other low cost recording equipment, we decided that grainy images and muffled voiced weren’t up to scratch, so after a lot of investigation, we find ourselves now experts in video equipment as well as plastic pipe! 

Our first video on the differences between single union and double union plastic ball valves was uploaded a week or so ago, and since then we have recorded three more; a “how to” on chamfering pipe and tow product videos on fine control gate valves and valterra slide valve.

The plan is for all of use to have a shot in front of the camera so that you, our customers can get to see our ugly mugs and put a face to a name when you are speaking to us about plastic pipe fittings on the phone.