Pipe Cutters

By Author: Atherton
Total Articles: 4
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The most economical way of buying pipe is to buy it in the length you need, having the correct diameter, and threaded at both ends. But that isn't always possible; you may need to get pipes longer than you need and then cut it to size. Whether it is worthwhile buying a pipe cutter depends on how much use you expect to get out of it.

You can use a pipe cutter to cut pipe made of steel, brass, copper, wrought iron or lead. There is a difference between pipe and tubing, although they may do the same work. Tubing has much thinner walls, and so it may be more convenient and practical to flare its ends rather than cut grooves in it.

A variety of pipe and tube cutters are used by Milwaukee Plumbers. A No. 1 pipe cutter can cut pipe having diameters ranging from 1/B inch to 2 inches, while the No. 2 has a cutting capability of 2 inches to 4 inches. The cutting element is a special steel alloy cutting wheel plus a pair ...
... of pressure rollers which can be made to tighten against the pipe by turning the handle of the tool. Installation of a boiler or other plumbing appliances requires the pipe to be cut according to the needs.

How to Use a Pipe Cutter

A pipe cutter produces a clean 900 angle cut. You can use a hacksaw for cutting pipe, but with a hacksaw it is difficult to get a clean right-angle cut. It is not easy to thread pipe that has been cut with a saw, so use a hacksaw only if you don't plan to thread the end you have cut.

Before cutting the pipe with a pipe cutter, mark the precise position where you want the cut. You can use your hacksaw to produce a starting line, or a pen or pencil if the pipe is clean and the mark will be readily visible. Put the pipe cutter on the pipe and make sure the cutting wheel rests on the mark you have made. Tighten the handle of the tool so the cutting wheel bites into the starting mark. If you haven't already done so, put the free end of the pipe into a vise. If the pipe is plated and you do not want to damage the finish, put a pair of wood blocks between the jaws of the vise, or use any other material, such as leather or rubber, that will keep the jaws of the vise away from the pipe.

Give the pipe cutter one full turn. If you examine the work, you will see that you have now made a line completely around the pipe. It will actually be a rather shallow cut. Now apply some pipe cutting oil around the cut you have just made. This will make it easier for you to cut the pipe and will also prolong the life of the cutting wheel. Make another complete turn and then another. Examine the work to make sure that the cutting wheel is following the original groove. Now keep turning slowly until the pipe is completely cut through. Pipes threaded in such a way can be safely join to any other pipe except gas supply lines.

After the pipe is cut, use a cloth to wipe the cut end. Be careful. There may be some sharp metal burrs, and these can be painful. You may need to dress the cut end with a file to remove any burrs or rough edges.

You will find cutting pipe easier if you can mount the pipe between two vises. The reason for this is that the action of turning the cutter sometimes moves the pipe up or down out of position, even if it is held tightly in the vise. While the vise may be tight, it is making contact with the pipe at only a pair of horizontal lines along its length and not with the entire surface area of the pipe.

Pipe Threaders

Pipe threads can be internal or external. An internal thrread is one that is cut along the inside surface area of the ends of the pipe. An external thread is cut around the outside surface areas, also along the pipe ends. Taps are used for cutting internal threads; dies for cutting external threads. The pipe can is now ready to be fixed on any plumbing appliances like heater, filter etc. Threads are cut not only on new pipe, but on old pipe as well. The threads of a used pipe may be in poor condition, and the pipe can sometimes be salvaged by rethreading. Shows two types of dies. The name of the one at the right, square pipe die, is a reference to the shape of the die, not the pipe it cuts.

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