How to cut PVC pipes

Content

Method 2 of 3: Using a pipe cutter
Method 3 of 3: Cutting with a miter saw
Tips
Warnings
What do you need

1 Clamp the pipe with a vise. The main and most widely used tool for cutting PVC or other pipes is a hacksaw. It is very important to secure the pipe in place with a vise so that it does not slip and to prevent the risk of cutting during the sliding motion of the blade. Use the utmost care and take necessary precautions when clamping the pipe.

Alternatively, instead of a vise, you can use a different type of clamping device to secure the pipe to a specific location on your workbench. Use what's available.
To give you sufficient clearance, clamp it a few centimeters from the cut. If possible, it can be clamped on both sides of the incision, but clamping one side a few centimeters from the intended incision line will make it completely safe.

2 Make a mark where you want to cut. Use a permanent marker to clearly indicate where you are going to cut in the pipe. Don't worry about the ink remaining, you can wipe it off with rubbing alcohol later if appearance is so important.

3 Place the hacksaw with the tines against the pipe. Place the hacksaw on the mark and hold the handle firmly, then use your other hand to push the top of the hacksaw into the pipe. You need to start cutting from the right place to avoid unnecessary cuts.

4 Saw the pipe confidently. Begin cutting, keeping a close eye on the process so that the hacksaw does not go away from the mark you originally placed on the pipe. Saw fast enough to deepen the cut, but not so much that the teeth jump over the cut you are making. You should be able to cut PVC relatively quickly.

Method 2 of 3: Using a pipe cutter

1 Take a plastic pipe cutter. There are two types of PVC pipe cutters: scissor and shut-off. The scissor cutter is ideal for pipes with a diameter of 1 to 2.5 cm, but sometimes it is even very difficult to use for such large pipes. It is recommended instead to use a clamping type of plastic pipe cutter, ideal for larger pipes and also effective for smaller pipes. It is much safer and more reliable.
- Sometimes extremely strong hands are needed to use scissor cutters and it would be easier to use any type of saw. Purchasing a shut-off type torch will make your job much easier.
2 Place the pipe on the bottom of the crescent-shaped pipe cutter. To insert a pipe into it, the cutter has an open, rounded edge, and when you press the button on its handle, the blade comes out of there. Mark the desired location for the cut, then insert the pipe into the receiving hole of the pipe cutter to begin the cut.
3 Aim the blade at the pipe. To release the blade, press the trigger handle on the pipe cutter handle and cut the pipe in half. For stability when cutting, hold the pipe with your other hand. You should not overexert yourself.

Method 3 of 3: Cutting with a miter saw

1 Consider using a miter cutter and a saw for more precise cuts. The saw can be used for PVC products when many specific, small cuts need to be made. Use a gear saw that is suitable for the type of cut and the availability of the miter cuts. When in doubt, choose the standard 10 teeth by 2.5 cm wood blade, which is found on most cross-cutters.However, this will depend on the specific brand and type of saw purchased.
2 Place the PVC pipe under the blade at the desired location on the cut. The miter cutter is the easiest fixture in the world to use, as it will pre-mark the cut line next to it for your convenience. You cannot miss.
3 Secure the pipe with a clamping device. Start the blade and slow down to medium speed. Once the incision is complete, the process can be easily repeated, making additional incisions as needed.

Tips

It is not recommended to cut PVC pipes with any of the following tools:
- Circular saw: never use a circular saw to cut PVC pipes. The PVC pipe is curved. The surface of the circular saw is flat and often smooth, which will allow the wood to move easily over it. If you push the PVC pipe into the circular machine, it can become misaligned and harm the user.
- Bandsaw: The band saw blade moves too slowly and if you don't use a very sharp-toothed blade, it can actually snag the inside diameter of the pipe, causing cracks and chips and causing potential damage.
Regular Wood Saw: The teeth on a standard hand wood saw are too sparse and will not cut the PVC pipe properly.

Warnings

Always protect your eyes when cutting PVC pipes. If the pipe is old and brittle, it may crack and pieces of the pipe may break off and fly through the air.