Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for displacing the juxtaposed ends of pipes towards or away from one another comprising; apparatus for separating and drawing together the juxtaposed ends of pipes comprising; a first gripping member engageable with a first pipe; a second gripping member engageable with a second pipe; a first and second clamping means for clamping the first and second pipes to the first and second gripping members respectively; a guide means for permitting movement of the gripping members towards and away from one another in a guided manner; and a displacing means for displacing the gripping members towards and away from one another.