PLUMBING AND WATER SUPPLY 465 



and priming pumps. He must be familiar with ice-machine 

 work, thermostatic work connected with plumbing, pipe- 

 work connected with pneumatic vacuum-cleaning systems, 

 gas piping, with making connections for gas fire-logs, stoves, 

 furnaces, driers, boilers, and heaters, and must be adept in 

 assembling, hanging, and connecting gas illuminating fixtures 

 and iron pipe for speaking tubes. 



There is nothing in the work of the plumber which em- 

 bodies physical or nervous strain, and as the work is extreme- 

 ly varied in character, it should stimulate the intelligence 

 of the worker. The successful plumber must have strength, 

 endurance, initiative, and special adaptability for his work. 

 Plumbing cannot be termed an unhealthy occupation, al- 

 though there is some danger of disease from germs, gases, 

 waste matter, dampness, etc., especially on repair work. 

 This danger, however, can be practically eliminated when 

 the proper precautions are taken. 



555. Plumbers' Tools. The tools most commonly used 

 by plumbers are as follows : the shave hook, for cleaning the 

 tarnish from pipe in preparation for wiping the joint; the 

 ladle, for handling molten lead; the cloths, for wiping joints; 

 the tap borer, to tap pipe for branch lines; the calking tools, 

 yarning iron, and right-, left-, and main-facing tools; the 

 asbestos joint runner, for running molten lead into horizon- 

 tal pipe joints; tools for setting fixtures; 8, 10, 14, and 18 

 in. pipe wrenches; the strap wrench, for handling nickel- 

 plated fixtures; level; plumb-bob; screw-driver; brace and 

 drills; li, li, and 2 in. springs for making bends in waste 

 pipe; hammer and cold chisel, for cutting soil pipe; hack, 

 compass, and tenon saws; gasoline furnace, for heating lead; 

 and stock and dies, for threading pipe. 

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