PVC tubing cutters are not recommended for ABS pipe, which is too brittle to be effectively cut by a PVC tubing cutter. Knowing a little about the types of cutters on the market can help you select the right one for your project.

A snap cutter requires some practice to learn how to set the chain, and it is very heavy to maneuver. Specialized pipe cutters are available for cutting iron or steel pipe, which is very hard to cut any other way. The number of rotations requires to cut through a pipe entirely will depend on the pipe material, its diameter, and the thickness of the pipe. Keep in mind that pipe-cutting tools will vary depending on what kind of pipe they were designed to cut. Reciprocating saw: This is even more versatile than a jigsaw since it can be used for larger diameter pipes.Once the tool's chain is wrapped around the pipe and tightened, it eventually snaps the pipe as cleanly as if it had been cut by a saw. Operating something like a pair of ratcheting shrub pruners, each time you squeeze your hand, the cutter ratchets closed, cutting a small amount of pipe material until you have cut through the pipe. Dimensions, wall thickness, tolerances, strengths, and even the time necessary for manufacturing pipes and tubes differ. Pipe cutter with spring load – also resembling pliers or garden shears, it is adjustable and can work with a variety of pipe sizes.

All types work in essentially the same way: The tool grips a pipe between rollers and a sharp cutting wheel, and as the tool rotates around the pipe, it scores a gradually deepening cut into the walls of the pipe. Ratchet Pipe Cutter – resembling a larger pair of pliers, it uses ratchet action to cut your tubing cleanly and efficiently. Copper tubing cutters are specialized pipe-cutting tools that come in many shapes and sizes, from small thumb cutters to quite large tools designed for big pipes. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. PVC ratchet cutters also work great for cutting this type of pipe, as do most ​​saws, so feel free to use whatever you have in your plumbing toolbox.Most tube cutters comprise of a grasping device and three sharp edged wheels forced inward by screw pressure that cut into the pipe as the tool is rotated by hand. Power miter saw: This tool can be useful for cutting perfectly square ends when working with a plastic pipe of any kind.

Just wiggle the blade back and forth to get it started in the pipe, then squeeze the handle to cut all the way through. To mark a straight line, roll cardboard or heavy paper around the pipe and mark your line along the edge of the paper. This type of cutter does require a lot of room to turn, so in tight spaces, you may have to use a reciprocating saw equipped with a metal-cutting blade. For cutting and removing older installed piping, you will have to measure and mark the piping to cut in place. Many standard cutters have reaming tools built into them, designed to smooth the cut edges of the pipe before soldering or fitting.To be safe, it helps to practice a few times on a spare pipe before cutting a pipe in a tight space.

A cut made with a pipe cutter will usually need very little deburring to none, meaning you also save time. A wood-cutting blade easily cuts plastic pipe; use metal-cutting blades (and a slow saw speed) when cutting copper or other metals. Jigsaw: Fitted with the right blade, a jigsaw can cut nearly any plumbing pipe up to about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. These tools are very popular with professionals because they are exceptionally efficient in providing clean cuts with greater ease, more so than, for instance, the common hacksaw.

Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. If you do cut a pipe with a hacksaw or similar multi-purpose saw, be prepared to file or clean off the pipe to remove any burrs left by the saw.