Building Contractor in Swindon relies on Kopex Pipeslice tool to provide a clean cut-through copper pipe

(05/03/2009)

PJ Ackrill & Sons, building contractors in Swindon, undertake a range of private and social housing new build and refurbishment work. This includes the installation of new bathroom accommodation for the elderly and disabled and often involves stripping out old bathrooms and converting them into modern facilities, complete with walk-in showers. Many of these installations are tight on space making the removal of old copper pipework and the installation of new pipes a difficult task. For this work, the company relies extensively on the Kopex Pipeslice tool.

Having undertaken this type of work for around five years, partner Chris Ackrill has been using 15mm and 22mm Pipeslice tools for much of this time on a daily basis. “The ability to cut copper pipe in confined spaces is vital to us for much of our work. The bathroom accommodation is usually tight with little elbow room to work in. So when we are putting in new copper pipe, Pipeslice is just the job when cutting it to length. It is also fast and easy to use,” says Chris.

Pipeslice is a single-handed automatically adjusting tool. With a simple twist of the wrist it provides a clean cut-through copper pipe. It is available in a range of sizes and packs.

Chris recognises that it is also important to prepare pipes correctly and to prevent burrs and material that may restrict water flow. He has therefore now also turned to the Kopex Pipe-prep tool which is providing valuable time savings in the preparation of the copper pipe and can correct out-of-round pipe forms, preventing poorly fitting joints.

Pipe-prep prepares copper pipe ends, flattening and smoothing, rather than cutting off burrs. The tool maintains the integrity of the material but produces the right shape for subsequent joining. It also removes oxidisation, a common cause of pipe joint failures, and any burr on the inside of the pipe is rolled and smoothed and there is no swarf or risk of contamination.

“There is nothing to beat Kopex pipe tools for reliably and ease of use – especially in the tightest of working spaces,” says Chris.

Related categories:  Pipes - copper and other metal   Residential applications   Tools