Introduction
Cutting is a necessary process in installing and removing pipe. Depending on the material of pipe, there are different tools that can be used to cut it. Cleaning the cut pipe is important no matter the type of tool used to cut the pipe.
Hacksaw
A hacksaw is a hand-held tool with small sharp teeth and an open gap to reduce friction when cutting through material. Hacksaws work best with plastic pipes such as PVC or ABS.
Tube Cutter
A tube cutter is a hand-held tool that has two or more wheels that clamp down on a pipe to cut. Tube cutters are useful for smaller diameter tubes such as PEX or Copper piping but can be used for PVC pipes as well. There are tube cutters for steel pipe but are more expensive and can be difficult to use by hand.
Ratchet Cutter
A ratchet cutter is a one-handed cutter that can be used to cut plastic pipe and tubes. It works by cutting the pipe by actuating a the handle to ratchet a blade through the pipe.
Cable Saw
A cable saw uses a steel cable with two handles to cut through rigid plastic pipe such as PVC. The cable saw can be used to cut in tight locations where other tools such as a tube cutter or a reciprocating saw might not reach.
Power Saw
A power saw makes easy work cutting pipes as powered. Power saws can handheld such as a reciprocating saw or fixed such as a miter saw. It is important to choose the right blade for the material. Saw blades designed for plastics or non-ferrous metals such as copper should not be used on steel.
After Cutting
Any method of cutting pipe will leave rough edges. It is important to clean off the rough edges as they can prevent a tight seal in joints or leave debris inside of the pipe. To clean rough edges, use a deburring tool to clean the inside and outside edges of cut pipe. For metal pipe, a wire brush or sandpaper can help in removing burrs and cleaning the surface.
Further Information
To learn more about cutting different types of pipe material such as Copper or which tools we recommend, check out our other articles.