What does the VDE marking on a Rolson screwdriver actually mean?

VDE approved insulated tools are individually tested at 10,000V and certified for live working up to 1000V AC. The rating applies to the tool as manufactured, so any nick, split or melt in the insulation retires it immediately. Inspect the sleeve and the blade collar before every use rather than assuming the rating still holds.

Which VDE screwdriver sizes wear out fastest?

In practice PZ2 x 100mm and 3.5 x 100mm slotted take the most abuse, because they cover consumer unit terminals and the majority of accessory screws. Buying those two individually as replacements is usually cheaper than repeatedly replacing a whole set, which is why we stock every size as a single as well as in the 4 piece set.

What is the difference between a basin wrench and a pipe wrench?

A basin wrench has a long shaft with a hinged, self tightening jaw on the end so it can reach the tap back nuts hidden behind and above a sink. A pipe wrench has serrated jaws and is designed to grip and turn round pipe. They are not interchangeable, and using a pipe wrench on a tap nut usually damages the fitting.

Do the copper pipe cutters come with replacement blades?

Yes. Both the 15mm and 22mm Rotary Action Copper Pipe Cutters are supplied with a spare cutting wheel. A worn wheel is the usual cause of a pipe that deforms rather than cuts cleanly, so change it as soon as the cut needs more than a few turns of pressure to start.

Is a 12 piece drain rod set enough for a domestic run?

Twelve rods gives a working reach that covers most domestic runs from an inspection chamber to a gully. Always turn the rods clockwise as you push, because turning the other way unscrews the joints and leaves a rod in the drain. The waste pipe blast unblocker is the better first attempt on internal waste pipes.

What does the VDE marking on a Rolson screwdriver actually mean?

VDE approved insulated tools are individually tested at 10,000V and certified for live working up to 1000V AC. The rating applies to the tool as manufactured, so any nick, split or melt in the insulation retires it immediately. Inspect the sleeve and the blade collar before every use rather than assuming the rating still holds.

Which VDE screwdriver sizes wear out fastest?

In practice PZ2 x 100mm and 3.5 x 100mm slotted take the most abuse, because they cover consumer unit terminals and the majority of accessory screws. Buying those two individually as replacements is usually cheaper than repeatedly replacing a whole set, which is why we stock every size as a single as well as in the 4 piece set.

What is the difference between a basin wrench and a pipe wrench?

A basin wrench has a long shaft with a hinged, self tightening jaw on the end so it can reach the tap back nuts hidden behind and above a sink. A pipe wrench has serrated jaws and is designed to grip and turn round pipe. They are not interchangeable, and using a pipe wrench on a tap nut usually damages the fitting.

Do the copper pipe cutters come with replacement blades?

Yes. Both the 15mm and 22mm Rotary Action Copper Pipe Cutters are supplied with a spare cutting wheel. A worn wheel is the usual cause of a pipe that deforms rather than cuts cleanly, so change it as soon as the cut needs more than a few turns of pressure to start.

Is a 12 piece drain rod set enough for a domestic run?

Twelve rods gives a working reach that covers most domestic runs from an inspection chamber to a gully. Always turn the rods clockwise as you push, because turning the other way unscrews the joints and leaves a rod in the drain. The waste pipe blast unblocker is the better first attempt on internal waste pipes.

Trade Tools

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Rolson VDE Insulated Screwdrivers

Rolson VDE screwdrivers and pipe wrenches are the two blocks that carry this page, and the insulated drivers are the deepest part of the range. We stock PH1 x 75mm, PH2 x 100mm, PZ0 x 70mm, PZ1 x 80mm, PZ2 x 100mm, 3 x 75mm slotted, 3.5 x 100mm and 4.0 x 100mm as individual drivers, plus a 4 Piece VDE Screwdriver Set for anyone starting from nothing. VDE means each driver is individually tested to 10,000V and rated for live working at up to 1000V, which is the standard expected on any commercial electrical job and increasingly asked for on domestic work too.

Buying individually rather than as a set makes sense once you know which tips you actually wear out. Most electricians go through PZ2 and 3.5mm slotted far faster than the rest, so replacing those two singly is cheaper than repeatedly buying a full set. Keep insulated drivers out of a loose tool bag where the sleeve can be nicked, because a damaged sleeve retires the tool.

Cutting, Crimping and Testing for Electricians

Around the drivers sits the rest of the second fix kit: 160mm VDE Insulated Cable Cutting Pliers, 150mm and 240mm Cable Cutters, 180mm Side Cutting Pliers, a 240mm Multi Purpose Crimping Tool, an Automatic Wire Stripper, 155mm Multi-Purpose Electrician's Scissors, a 57mm Electricians Bolster, a 24 Piece Electrical Clip Assortment, a 3 in 1 Detector, a 2 Piece Mains Tester and a Digital Multimeter. For strippers and testers on their own, see Rolson wire strippers and voltage testers.

Plumbing Pipe Wrenches, Cutters and Drain Rods

Roughly a third of this range is plumbing rather than electrical, which the old page title never said. The wrench block covers a 300mm Pipe Wrench, a 600mm Heavy Duty Pipe Wrench, a 280mm Basin Wrench, a 200mm 2-in-1 Extra Wide Opening Adjustable Pipe Wrench and a 200mm Extra Wide Jaw Slimline Adjustable Wrench. Cutting is handled by Rotary Action 15mm and 22mm Copper Pipe Cutters with spare blades, a Mini Tube Cutter for 3mm to 22mm and a 32mm Premium Plastic Pipe Cutter. For blockages there is a 12 Piece Drain Rod Set, 1.8m and 5m drain cleaners and a Waste Pipe Blast Unblocker, plus brass radiator keys, utility keys and slim jaw water pump pliers.

Genuine Rolson Trade Stock

Everything on this page is genuine Rolson Tools stock rather than an unbranded equivalent, which matters on insulated tools where the VDE marking has to mean something. For ratchets, spanner sets and bolt cutters see Rolson ratchets, spanner sets and bolt cutters. For site security see Rolson padlocks, door locks and key safes, and the full range sits under Rolson Tools.

Trade Tools

Trade Tools

Rolson VDE Insulated Screwdrivers

Cutting, Crimping and Testing for Electricians

Plumbing Pipe Wrenches, Cutters and Drain Rods

Genuine Rolson Trade Stock

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