HYDRONICS
B y B o b “ Ho t R o d ” R o h r Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor and installer for 30 years. A longtime columnist and trainer, he is manager of training and education with Caleffi North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@caleffi.com.
TOOLING THROUGH LIFE
T
radesfolk can get really passionate when they are talking about tools…or talking about trucks and tools. What often starts as a mere need or curiosity will sometimes turn to obsession–an expensive, but defensible, addiction.
Plumbers and other hydronic installation specialists usually depend on a few basics: pump pliers, a tape measure, level, tube cutters, usually a 4- or 6-in-one screwdriver, and a crescent wrench. While considered Neanderthal to some of the newer pipe joining techniques, scratch cloth and fitting brushes to prep for soldering are still required tools. And a hammer is nice to have for mounting pipes and devices. A pipe wrench is useful, too; maybe a 14 in. for starters. A lot of us picked these up as an apprentice tool collection, followed by something to carry them in. Whether you go for a box, bucket, backpack or soft duffle, there are tons of options these days. Back in the day, a metal toolbox was the preferred, and perhaps the only, means to organize and transport tools. It’s a workout to carry one of those old, heavy gauge metal boxes around. I make it a practice to buy quality tools and would highly recommend that you do as well. Don’t skimp on tools with your new hires either. It’s frustrating to work with inferior products. To find unique, top-quality hand tools, you might want to look to some of the European manufacturers. It’s tough to argue with good old American iron, and the longevity of pipe-working tools from brands such as Ridgid and Reed. I, like many others I suspect, own tools with these brands, handed down from my dad and grandad. The fit, feel and material matters, and a true pro knows and appreciates a quality, lifetime tool. You could blindfold a craftsperson and put an assortment of hand tools in their hand and the best choice would be obvious. Like any addiction, once you have the taste, you want more and more. How many pairs of pump pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. are enough? I guess it comes down to how much space, money and muscles you have to store and transport your collection. I don’t mean to leave any tools or brands out. I could go on for pages about all the tools I’ve enjoyed, and I know I’m not the only one. Tool hoarders, and tool-collecting wannabees, feel free to share your faves with me. I might have a little space in one of my boxes or bags.
26
M e c h a n i c a l
B u s i n e s s
1 2 . 2 0
A box for every jo job I see some tradespeople with multiple, maybe dozens, of boxes and bags of tools, sometimes specialized to the tasks at hand. Perhaps a plumber is doing a rough-in job one day, and the next, a boiler clean and check. Having a box of tools for each task makes it easy to grab and go. Of course, some of the expensive delicate stuff, such as meters and analyzers, may be best left in their own containers.
