Made these and used for copper pipework jobs. A full info on how they were made...Aussie here.

Step 1: Made With Only Basic Parts and Cheap. How It Is Done.

The tool is formed from only 2 parts.

1) a 10 inch approximately pair of standard Vice Grips AKA Mole grips.

2) a mild steel bush bored out to suit tubing size.

My jobs were using 1/2 inch standard outside diameter soft and hard copper water pipe.

PROCEDURE

1) Bore out bush in eg lathe or with a drill in a bench vyce.

The important thing is eg if using it on 1/2 inch tube, bore out hole to as near to exact 1/2 inch hole.

The better the finish inside the less scratchy on job.

A REAMED hole is ideal.

Any local garage workshop school shop can do the boring .. cheap job.

Alternate is find a junk piece that has the hole.eg a spacer bush from a car part etc.

The inside chamfer just makes it easier to get on pipe for entry point. Outside just for smoother tool surface.

2) Have bush COMPLETE

(WELD into jaws of vice grips . eg via stick/ MIG welder. Or braze /silver solder. Whatever is practical for you.)

Procedure.... CLOSE jaws around bush and clamp tight. Align then weld.

3) Mark a centreline.

Cut bush in half. File any rough edges of cut. Or weld splatter etc..

THAT"S IT...

Step 2: WHY THIS TOOL IS EXCELLENT..

Anyone who's worked with eg copper or metal tubing knows..

It isn't always round. Could be second hand / dented.

It isn't always easy to hold for eg soldering

PLUS at times plumbing work can be difficult to grip, twist or bend when in short runs or closed spaces eg around water tank installs. Eg aligning pipes.

The tool solves it all.

A commercial one is sometimes around. But not accessible in Oz. Plus very expensive..

Have made a few and given to master plumbers.

Is 1st item they take out of kit on many jobs. Saves lots of time..

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Have helped plumbers doing

Solar hot water tank installs and repairs. Soft copper coil runs mean kinks and flat spots .. Tight bends. All fixed with this tool when needed. To eg run brass fittings along the pipes. Hydraulic lines also see this type of tool being used. A basic simple tool that solves a problem quickly and easily..unbreakable and cheap.