Abstract: The invention relates to gripping means for use in the withdrawal of tubular members such as heat exchanger tubes from support means.

Abstract: An elongated tubular member is withdrawn from a bore in a support member by ixing at a leading end of the tubular member a hollow adapter, inserting through the tubular member and the hollow adapter a rod having an overall length greater than the combined length of the tubular member and the adapter, securing said rod to the adapter at one end of the tubular member, securing a broach to the rod at the other end, pulling the tubular member by suitable gripping means to withdraw it from the bore and thereby drawing the broach through the bore to re-shape it.A suitable form of gripping means is also disclosed in the form of a hydraulically operated chuck.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of machining a workpiece with a cutting l arrangement involving relative rectilinear movement between workpiece and tool, a heat source being mounted for transverse movement in a series of arcuate passes across the workpiece to heat and soften the portion thereof immediately ahead of the cutting tool. In examples given, the heat source is one or two plasma torches and the arcuate passes are part of an oscillatory or of a rotational movement.