How to Choose the Right Hub Remover Size for Your Job

Sizing a hub remover isn't complicated — but get it wrong and you're either spinning in thin air or jamming a tool that won't bite. The Pinell Tools Hub Remover comes in eight sizes, and each one is built for a specific pipe size. Pick the right one before you drill, not after.

Pipe Size vs. Fitting OD — Measure the Right Thing

The most common mistake is measuring the outside of the fitting. Don't. Hub removers are sized to match the nominal pipe size, not the fitting's outer diameter. A 2" hub fitting has a much larger outer diameter than 2", but the tool you need is still the 2" Hub Remover.

If you're not sure what pipe size you're dealing with, check the pipe itself — the nominal size is usually printed on the side. If it's worn off, measure the outer diameter of the pipe (not the fitting) and use a standard nominal pipe size chart to confirm. For Schedule 40 PVC and ABS, the OD-to-nominal conversion is consistent.

One important note: the Pinell Tools Hub Remover works on Schedule 40 PVC and ABS pipe only. It is not designed for Schedule 80. If you're working Schedule 80, you need a different approach.

Hub Remover Size Guide by Application

Here's a straightforward breakdown of which sizes belong on which jobs:

Residential Supply Lines

• 1/2" — Standard domestic water supply, branch lines to fixtures
• 3/4" — Main supply runs, water heater connections, manifold feeds
• 1" — Larger supply mains, commercial-adjacent residential, irrigation headers

Residential Drain Lines

• 1-1/4" — Lavatory drains, small fixture branch lines
• 1-1/2" — Kitchen sink drains, tub and shower drains, fixture branches
• 2" — Toilet drains in some configurations, vent stacks, branch drain lines

Commercial Drain Lines

• 3" — Main drain stacks, toilet drains, horizontal branch collectors
• 4" — Building sewer mains, large-diameter drain and waste stacks, commercial sanitary systems

All eight sizes use the same 7/16" hex shank, so the same drill you're already carrying handles every size. Chuck it in, line it up, and drive it through.

What Happens If You Use the Wrong Size

Too small and the tool won't engage the fitting wall — you'll spin without removing anything. Too large and it won't fit into the hub at all. There's no working around a size mismatch. The Pinell Hub Remover is a precision tool; it needs to match the pipe it's pulling from.

If you're on a job and you're not certain of the pipe size, measure twice. A caliper on the pipe OD takes ten seconds and saves a wasted trip.

Pro Tip: If You Run Full-Service, Buy a Set

If you're doing service and remodel work across residential and commercial, you'll hit every size on the list in the course of a week. Buying a set means you're covered no matter what's in the wall. Sets are available and make sense for any plumber who doesn't want to guess what's on the next job before pulling the truck out.

For specialty work — all residential service, for example — you can start with just the sizes you use daily and add from there. The 1/2", 3/4", 1-1/2", and 2" covers the majority of residential calls.

Ready to Order?

Every Pinell Tools Hub Remover is made in the USA from anodized aluminum and backed by a lifetime warranty. Once you've confirmed your pipe size, ordering is straightforward — each size is its own individual product.

Browse the full Hub Remover lineup and order the size you need.