Plumber Tools Australia — a practical guide for Australian trades from the team at Power Tools Direct Australia.
Press tools, cutters, wrenches and the compact cordless kit — a working tool list for Australian plumbing and service work.
Plumber Tools Australia: In this guide
- Press fittings changed the trade
- Cutting and joining
- Gripping and turning
- Cordless kit
- Drainage and diagnostics
Press fittings changed the trade
Cordless press tools have replaced a great deal of soldering and threading in Australian plumbing. A press joint takes seconds, needs no flame, and can be made in occupied buildings without a hot work permit.
The tools are expensive and they pay for themselves on labour quickly. Browse plumbing tools.
Cutting and joining
- Copper tube cutters — a full-size cutter plus a compact one for tight spaces
- PEX / plastic pipe shears — clean square cuts, no shavings
- Deburring / reaming tool — a burr wrecks a press joint and restricts flow
- Press tool with the right jaw set — check jaw compatibility with the fitting system you use
- Torch and soldering kit — still needed for repairs and awkward joints
- Threading dies or a power threader for steel pipe work
Gripping and turning
- Water pump pliers — two sizes. Push-button adjustment, see the pliers guide
- Pliers Wrench — grips chrome fittings without marking them
- Basin wrench — nothing else reaches behind a basin
- Stilsons / pipe wrenches — two sizes for steel pipe
- Adjustable spanners — a wide-jaw type for tap fittings
- Strap wrench for polished and plastic fittings
Buy the tool that does not mark chrome. Replacing a scratched tapware set costs more than the tool.
Cordless kit
- Compact drill and impact driver — 12V for service work
- Compact recip saw — cutting pipe and joists, see the recip guide
- Rotary hammer — SDS Plus for penetrations and brackets
- Hole saws — bi-metal for timber joists, diamond for tile, see holesaws
- Inspection camera — walls, drains and cavities
- Press tool and, for larger work, a battery drain cleaner
Drainage and diagnostics
Drain snakes and jetters, a drain camera for anything you cannot see, and a thermal or acoustic leak detector for concealed pipework. Diagnostic capability is increasingly what separates a service plumber’s rates.
Carrying and protecting it
Plumbing tools are heavy and get wet. Look for a reinforced base, a genuine shoulder strap and drainage. See tool bags and belts and note that wiping tools down matters far more in this trade than most.
Restocking for plumbing?
Press tools, cutters, wrenches and 12V cordless in stock and ready to ship.
The bottom line
Press tools, cutters, wrenches and the compact cordless kit — a working tool list for Australian plumbing and service work. Everything we sell is genuine Australian stock with full manufacturer warranty, dispatched same day on orders placed before 1pm AEST from our Sydney warehouse. Standard delivery is $15.99, express is $32.55, and delivery is free on orders over $1,000.
Not sure which option suits your work? Talk to our team — we are tradies too. You can also browse the full power tool range, read the FAQs, or set up a trade account for ongoing pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Are cordless press tools worth the investment?
For anyone doing regular copper or stainless work, yes. The labour saving and the elimination of hot work permits pay it back quickly.
What size water pump pliers should I carry?
A 250 mm and a 400 mm covers most work. Push-button adjustment types are far faster than slip-joint.
Do I still need to solder?
Yes. Repairs, awkward geometry and some materials still call for it, and press jaws do not cover every fitting.
Keep reading
Need this gear on site?
Over 4,000 genuine tools in stock. Free delivery on orders over $1,000.