Pipe cutter: purpose, types and characteristics of hand tools for steel pipes. Operating principles and advice on which one is better to choose

The steel pipe cutter is a very important tool.
To appreciate this significance, you just need to imagine any house without heating, without cold and hot water, without a drainage network and without gas. In this case, there is no need to talk about convenience and coziness in the house. And for laying and repairing utility lines, pipes must be “adjusted” to the required parameters.

For this purpose you need to purchase a special tool. By using it for steel products, you can ensure the full functioning of any living space.

Pipe cutters are simple and effective tools. But its external simplicity does not mean that choosing it is very easy. Before purchasing, you need to familiarize yourself with some small details that affect the reliability and cost of this equipment.

The name itself in this case speaks about the purpose of the device. Today, these tools are convenient and compact. Everything about them is thought out to the smallest detail. Even the handle here is made in such a way that the master’s hand will not get tired after long-term work with different products.

Also, among the features of this type of tool are the convenient pace of work and the accuracy of the cut.

You need to understand that a good, high-quality pipe cutter for steel pipes and low cost are two incompatible concepts. In this case, low cost will not guarantee high-quality work.

Application of pipe cutter

Of course, the pipe can always be cut using a regular hacksaw. But you need to remember that this old method will probably leave burrs. It is also impossible to achieve high precision when cutting with a hacksaw. Therefore, in order to give the edges a smooth look, you will have to use an additional tool.

Moreover, in some places it is impossible to work with a hacksaw. It is also clear that with this tool you cannot think about efficient cutting.

If you need to make cuts at an angle of 90 degrees, then you need to use a pipe cutter.

Only with it will you be able to make precise cutting.
The pipe cutter is a true leader in terms of productivity.
Its scope of application is water supply and heating.
It is also impossible to imagine pipe installation without a pipe cutter.

With the help of a pipe cutter you can work even where there is no connection to an outlet.

Telescopic

The presented category is also called universal. Pipe cutters are classified as roller cutters, but in addition to them they have guides and a carriage, so they can perform cutting as efficiently as possible. The diameter can be any, including the use of stainless corrugated pipes for separation. Models can have a deburring device built into them.

Operating principles of a pipe cutter

Although there are many of these devices, they have only 2 operating principles.

The first principle is that the part is fixed motionless. It is necessary to grasp the part with the unit and rotate it. This method is mainly needed where there is little free space. Cutting is carried out directly on the pipeline.
The second method assumes that the pipe cutter is stationary. The required part rotates. A similar operating principle is used either on an industrial scale or with a large pipe diameter.

Once you understand these principles of operation, it becomes clear that a pipe cutter can be both a tool and a mechanism with a special housing so that it can be installed on a pipeline.

The pipe cutter body usually resembles a clamp. The cutting element can be found on the opposite side of the clamp. This element is capable of both cutting material and pressing the body against the part.

How to cut sewer pipes

Currently I use special Ridgid pipe cutters. I have two pipe cutters. One for pipes with a diameter of 32 and 40 mm, the second for pipes with a diameter of 50 mm.

The plastic body of the pipe cutter has a built-in cutter, which immediately chamfers the pipe when cutting it. Therefore, sewer pipes can be easily inserted into each other, even without lubrication.

The cost of a pipe cutter is about two and a half thousand rubles at the time of writing.

Buy Ridgid pipe cutter 32-40 mm on Yandex Market

Buy Ridgid 50 mm pipe cutter on Yandex Market

I cut sewer pipes with a diameter of 100 mm and above using a grinder with a diamond blade for concrete. This disc cuts rather than melts plastic. I also use it to chamfer the pipe.

Materials

The housing of the presented devices can be made of a variety of materials. Among them are aluminum and zinc alloy, plastic and steel.

The metal body will sooner or later begin to rust. To prevent this, the pipe cutter must be coated with chrome or special paint.

It is noteworthy that steel devices consist of numerous parts that are hardened.
Hardening is simply necessary in a pipe cutter. Thanks to it, the stability of rubbing units increases. The same applies to the most loaded nodes.

The chrome-plated pipe cutter can easily work in conditions of high humidity. It does not rust and is resistant to stress. Also, its appearance is aesthetic.

Often the cutting element is made of various types of steel.

Orbital

Placed on the floor or table. These are machines that run on electricity. The workpiece is secured using a series of clamping jaws.

Peculiarities:

rotation of the working part occurs around the pipe;
shaped cutters have been added for chamfering and cutting;
suitable for pipes made of ferrous or non-ferrous metals, plastic, stainless steel;
operation from mains or battery, in the latter case movement is possible.

They are divided into one-piece and detachable. When disassembled, the cage opens to accommodate the pipe.

Dimensions and weight of pipe cutters

The size of the device is determined by how large the diameter of the pipes can be cut. The design also influences the dimensions.

For example, if the product is used for pipes with a diameter of 42 mm, then the scissors for them have a length of 25 to 35 cm. The weight of the scissors reaches 500 g.

If an electric pipe cutter is used, the weight becomes greater due to the power of the motor and the way the pipe fragments are fixed. Therefore, the dimensions and weight of electric models are purely individual.

Equipment Features

Most often, pipe cutters are used by professionals, and only a good tool can ensure high quality. Pipe cutters allow you to get clean cuts without much effort and quite quickly. This is a narrowly focused tool, but despite this there is an impressive selection on the market. The following should be taken into account:

drive unit;
work principles;
weight and dimensions;
design nuances;
material;
demand for a certain area;
performance indicators.

There are only a couple of types: orbital

and
stationary
. Orbital ones work in a circle and allow you to cut a part that is stationary. They are in demand when space is limited and if pipes are already installed. If the product has not yet been installed and it is possible to place it permanently, then choose stationary models. For cutting, the part rotates along the longitudinal axis, and the tool itself remains motionless.

Pipe cutter diameters

To understand which pipelines the pipe cutter is intended for, the manufacturer indicates the diameters of the pipes, which are the boundaries for the device.

As an example, it is worth citing units with a ratcheting mechanism.
Thin-walled copper pipes are not a problem for them if their diameter does not exceed 30 mm.
If you are working with PVC products, then the permissible maximum diameter increases and is already 42 mm.

150 cm is the maximum diameter for devices powered by electricity. The same applies to pneumatic pipe cutters. Cutting models can work with pipelines up to 10 cm, roller models can work up to 5 or up to 10 cm, depending on how many cutting rollers are in the device.

Electrically powered equipment

Such units have high performance indicators and use an engine. They are in demand when there is a need for quick processing and cutting of a large number of pipes. Activation requires connection to a power source. If you need mobility, you should pay attention to models supplemented with a battery. During work, electrical equipment creates a lot of noise.

Types of pipe cutters

Manual. Using a manual pipe cutter, it is possible to perform simple work. You should not expect great productivity from manual models, since the cutting process occurs through the use of physical force. Manual models have the advantage of small sizes. Their weight is very light, and they do not make any sounds during operation.

Manual pipe cutters are designed for everyday use, so they will not be able to cope with serious tasks. Moreover, their operation requires the use of great physical strength.

Electric

These pipe cutters are the most effective. They work from a regular outlet. Thanks to this, the cutting disc, powered by an electric motor, is able to rotate.

The method of operation of an electric pipe cutter is very similar to an angle grinder.
But the pipe cutter has a system of various fasteners, with the help of which the mechanism is secured to the pipeline.
Electrical devices make a lot of noise when cutting.

There is a mobile version of the electric pipe cutter. Using it, the power comes not from electricity, but from a battery.

The electric unit is used where maximum results with minimal effort are needed.

Pneumatic

This is almost the same as the manual version, but here compressed air is used instead of physical force. The compressor makes noise while cutting.

Hydraulic

The operating principle is similar to the previous type of pipe cutter. However, instead of air, there is hydraulic fluid.

Using a pipe cutter, you can quickly solve almost any pipeline cutting problem.

The most efficient pipe cutting machines

Fireless cutting units cope better than others with fast and accurate cutting of pipes made of highly flammable materials. They easily and accurately process any type of polymer, including those that melt at a temperature of 180-200 °C.

On our website there is a detailed article on how to choose a pipe cutter for plastic pipes, read on.

Image gallery

Photo from

Step 1: Marking the pipe for cutting

Step 2: Rules for fixing the pipe cutter

Step 3: Plastic Pipe Cutting Process

Step 4: Deburring the pipe cut

Classic roller models, both mechanical and electrical, are perfect for cutting durable but ductile copper. The same type of tool is used to cut pipes from more expensive materials (brass, bronze, etc.)

Gas-powered cutting machines cut steel pipes. For cast iron, this processing option is not suitable, since severe overheating occurs in the area of contact of the cutting element with the pipe body. This negatively affects the basic properties of the metal and creates obstacles for even, accurate and high-quality cutting.

We also recommend that you read the review of pipe cutters for steel pipes. For more details, follow the link.

Various versions of the manual guillotine are ideal for cutting pipe sections made of multi-component materials. They do not damage the thin reinforcing layer of aluminum and do not crush the pliable polymer base.

Pipes made of ceramic or concrete are most often cut with an angle grinder. These materials do not respond to thermal effects, and guillotine-type mechanical devices lead to coloring of the edge and destruction of the integrity of the entire pipe.

In addition to equipment designed exclusively for cutting pipes, other tools are also used for the same purpose, for example, a cutting disc machine, a circular saw, a laser punching machine and a band saw.

However, this is only relevant for one-time work. If cutting pipes of various shapes, diameters and densities is carried out regularly, it is better to acquire a special narrow-profile tool.