Clever invention

**LINK**

Yes, very clever, but where did the swarf / piece of tube that was removed go to ??
BobH

Interesting, and definitely useful to have for the house 'emergency kit'. But, I wonder how is it made so as to be able to contain the swarf and/or cut-out portion?

Trevor.

Edited By Ian Parkin on 27/03/2018 11:11:11

It's designed so that the bottom of the valve has a punch built into it & the piece drops into the cavity underneath & out of the way of the valve body & flow...



​George.

Cheaper at Screwfix

The self-cutting isolators in Screwfix don't do the same thing, unless I read it wrong. I think they create a spur with an isolator valve off a pipe.

I think you read it wrong.

Same product, cheaper at Screwfix....

Only justifiable in a few tricky corners, otherwise just turn off the water and do a proper job. God knows how long / expensive it was to develop this.

Murray

Well Murray, it was their money not yours, time will tell just how successful it will be. Compared with the cost of a plumber's time I wouldn't be surprised if it works out quite a lot cheaper.

Would be a good idea for our house. The main does indeed rise in a tricky corner and turning off the main stop valve usually requires extracting a few pounds of muck before you can reach the tap handle...

Neil

I can see the removed tube ends up out of the flow but where does the swarf go?

I assume the copper tube is sawn through and not sheared so if the water is flowing whilst the valve is installed the swarf presumably is flushed through to your cup of tea.

As DIY plumber I doubt I would ever justify buying one but can see that it might be cost effective to a tradesman who will put it on the customers bill.

Its quite clever though

Ian P

I used a similar device about 40 years ago to plumb in a washing machine, I'm fairly sure it had a cone shaped drill rather than a punch.

Similar but different.

Similar in that it is used in plumbing situations, but different in that yours was install a 'Tee' with isolating valve rather than this device which puts the valve in the main flow.

Ian P

Thanks. I stand corrected.

Great if you can get at the main where it counts ! From bitter experience,this is not always possible.

Why are not all services brought to a common point when entering a house [as in a factory ],then there would be no arsing around looking for main switches,main valves,gas, ect,ect. Some valves I came across over the years would need Sherlock Holmes to find them.

As regards a little copper dust getting in your tea,have you any idea what your local counsel dumps in your water supply without you even knowing ? Better not even think about it !!

I have a use for one and thanks for pointing the thing out. Question is whether it is ok for 1/2 as well as 13mm. Pity it is not for 22mm aswell.

... Why are not all services brought to a common point when entering a house [as in a factory ],then there would be no arsing around looking for main switches, main valves, gas, etc.etc. Some valves I came across over the years would need Sherlock Holmes to find them...

​That's applying logic Larry; I've seen a few self builds / conversions on TV over the years & quite a few have included a 'utility room' where all the services are located for easy access. I s'pose it's down to time & £££'s.

George.

Where this device is useful is the situation, not all that uncommon, where the street stop tap is seized or broken, and the internal stop tap needs rewashering. In other words, you have no way of turning off the water without waiting for a couple of weeks for your water company to dig up the pavement to replace your external stop tap! Unfortunately at this price, I don't think they will ever gain popularity, although it is a clever idea. a 15mm stopcock is £5.39 inc vat!

Always worth reading the Screwfix reviews someone will have found a drawback, in this case a larger drill than normal is required,

Larger = more powerful to drive the cutting bit. Or use a hand wrench.