Your PVC cutting project can be much easier if you have a suitable pipe cutter. But the challenge is that many pipe cutters are in the market, like many types of pipes. There are also general-purpose cutting tools that you can use to cut PVC and other materials. Choosing a particular option from numerous such options might prove a daunting task for you.
But knowing the type of cutters available in the market goes a long way in helping you select the right one for your next project. With the proper knowledge, you will quickly settle on the best-dedicated or general cutter for your plumbing needs.
Therefore, the guide below will help you understand different ways to choose and types of pipe cutter for your job.
1. Copper Tubing Cutters
These are specialized PVC cutters of many sizes and shapes. It can be a small thumbed cutter or a large cutter made for huge pipes. The gadget holds pipe cutting wheels and a roller that rotates around the pipe, scoring a cut that gradually deepens into the pipe’s walls.
Copper tubing cutters, despite the name, can be used to cut a variety of materials. These materials include PVC plastic, flexible copper tubing, rigid copper plumbing pipe, CPVC plastic, ABS plastic, and electric metal tubing.
The blade becomes dull when you use a copper tubing cutter on materials other than copper. Therefore, you should expect to replace the cutting wheel occasionally if you do so.
2. PVC Tubing Cutters
A PVC tubing cutter is an excellent tool for a PVC pipe. The cutter operates like a pair of ratcheting shrub pruners. The ratchets of the cutter close each time you squeeze your hand, cutting a tiny bit of the pipe’s material until you eventually cut through the pipe.
PVC ratchet cutters are manufactured to cut pipes of different sizes. The most typical sizes will cut pipes up to 11/4 inches and are very affordable. The cutter will require decent hand strength, allowing you to ratchet it, cutting through any PVC pipe. These cutters are suitable for cutting PEX and CPVC.
The cutters are not suitable for ABS pipes. These pipes are too brittle to be cut effectively by PVC tubing cutters. For an ABS pipe, you will need a hacksaw or other general-purpose saw, for example, a power miter saw.
3. ABS Saw
Typically, most individuals use a course saw to cut an ABS pipe. Despite the ability to cut an ABS pipe with any saw, including a power saw, there are specific saws meant to cut ABS. Remember, you can also use a coarse saw to cut PVC pipes. The downside of using a saw is leaving behind burrs that can interfere with the solvent gluing.
4. Cast Iron Snap Cutters
Cast iron snap cutters are large chain-type cutters that cut concrete, clay, and cast-iron pipes. They can be scissors or ratchet versions, with a chain containing a row of sharp cutting disks. The chain is wrapped around the pipe before it is tightened. It snaps the pipe so cleanly you wouldn’t tell it apart from one cut using a saw.
There is a downside to using a cast iron snap cutter. You will need to learn how to set the chain. It is also very heavy to maneuver. On top of that, the tool is expensive, and only a few people own it. If you must use the tool, you can lease it from a tool rental or home center. Remember, try practicing a few times on a spare pipe before cutting your pipe so that you are safe.
5. Steel Pipe Cutters
Steel and iron pipes need specialized cutters because cutting them any other way is difficult. These cutters make a lovely cut each time. They function like the larger copper cutters, but their cutting wheel is thicker and stronger to handle the formidable iron and steel pipes.
It would help if you turned the handle to clasp tighter until the tool cuts the pipe. The steel pipe cutter does not need a lot of room for turning. You might be required to use a reciprocating saw with a metal-cutting blade in tight spaces.
6. PEX and CPVC Cutters
These cutters are soft tubing cutters that are scissor-like. They operate in the same manner as a PVC tubing cutter, but they cut through soft tubing with a single handle squeeze rather than with a ratcheting action. Twitch the blade to get it started, then press the handle to cut.
These soft tubing cutters are great, but you will get tired from extended use. Also, you can use PVC ratchet cutters for PEX and CPVC pipes and saws. So, feel at ease using any cutters if they are in your toolbox.
7. All-Purpose Saws
If you do not frequently do plumbing repairs, or if you have a situation where your specialty cutters don’t fit, you can use any general-purpose saw to cut plumbing pipes.
- Hacksaw – You can use this saw for any plumbing pipe.
- Reciprocating saw – You can use it to cut pipes with large diameters. Wood-cutting blades are suitable for plastic pipes, while metal-cutting blades are excellent for metal pipes.
- Jigsaw – A jigsaw can cut any pipe up to 11/4 inches in diameter, provided they are fitted with the correct blade.
- Power minter saw – Perfect for cutting square ends of any plastic pipe, but the blade becomes dull quickly. There are also special metal blades you can use with the saw.
- Crosscut hand saw – Works perfectly to cut rigid plastic but should not be applied to metals.
Conclusion
Pipe cutters can cut through different materials and thicknesses. It will depend on the kind of cutter you settle on. Ensure the cutter you select will be applicable in various situations. With the information in this piece, you will quickly decide the best cutter suited for your specifications. But remember always to take caution when using these tools.