If you have to do work that involves the use of PVC pipes, you will often need to cut them. A good thing about PVC is that you can cut it easily, using a wide range of tools that make the job relatively simple. You do not need a complex workstation or special equipment for this purpose. You can use a variety of different tools, including a hacksaw, pipe cutting pliers or a circular saw to perform a work of art.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: With a Hacksaw
Step 1. Secure the tube in place with a vise
The hand hacksaw is the simplest and most used tool for cutting PVC or other material pipes. However, you must also protect the tube by blocking it with a vice, to prevent it from slipping and moving, with the risk of cutting yourself with a swipe of the blade. Be very careful and take all necessary precautions to lock the tube in its housing.
- Optionally you can also use another type of jaw to secure the tube to the workbench, instead of the vice. Take the tool you have available.
- Block the pipe at least 5 cm from the point you need to cut to have a lot of room for movement. If you can, secure the pipe on both sides of the cut, although a single clamp a few inches from the intended cut line still makes it very secure.
Step 2. Mark the PVC where you need to saw it
Use a permanent marker to clearly indicate where you need to cut the pipe. Do not worry if the ink remains, you can clean it later with alcohol, if you want it to stay clean.
Step 3. Place the jigsaw teeth on the pipe
Place the tool on the mark you made by grasping it securely and firmly by the handle, then place your other hand on the top of the saw and push down, so that the teeth of the hacksaw adhere to the tube. You have to start cutting in the right place and this way you are sure not to start inaccurately or irregularly.
Step 4. Move the hacksaw firmly along the pipe
Start sawing, making sure to look closely when cutting, to prevent the saw from straying from the line you originally drew with the marker. Move the jigsaw fairly quickly to keep the cut steady, but not so fast that you risk moving the tool teeth and cutting the pipe in other areas. You should be able to cut it relatively quickly.
Method 2 of 3: With a Pipe Cutter
Step 1. Get a plastic pipe cutter
There are two types of pipe cutters for PVC: with scissor or ratchet mechanism. The first type is suitable for 1.3-2.5cm PVC pipes, but it is sometimes too difficult to use it for even the largest pipes. The ideal for plastic pipes would always be to use a ratchet pipe cutter, excellent for pipes with a larger diameter, but also perfect for smaller ones. It is much safer and more reliable.
With the scissor pipe cutter it is sometimes necessary to use a lot of arm strength, which would make it easier to use a saw. Investing in a ratchet tool will make your task a lot easier
Step 2. Place the PVC at the bottom of the tool, the half-moon shaped one
The pipe cutter has an open rounded edge to insert the pipe into, and a blade that extends when you pull the trigger on the handle. Mark the point where you want to make the cut, then place the tube in the exact point of the tool where the blade is to start cutting.
Step 3. Squeeze the blade around the pipe
Press the trigger on the handle of the pipe cutter to extend the blade and cut the pipe in half. Use your other hand to hold the tube still during the operation. It shouldn't be a particularly strenuous job.
Method 3 of 3: With a Circular Saw
Step 1. Consider using a circular saw if you need to make more specific cuts
This tool is more suitable for those projects that require very particular and detailed cuts of the PVC. Use a blade with teeth suitable for the specific type of work you need to do and based on the model of tool you have available. When in doubt, play it safe with a blade with 10 teeth every 2.5 cm (10 TPI) ideal for wood, which comes with most circular saws. In any case, most of the time it depends on the particular brand and model of saw you have.
Step 2. Place the PVC pipe under the blade where you need to make the cut
The circular saw is one of the easiest tools to use, as the cutting lines have already been defined along the protractor and the supporting structure of the saw itself. You can't go wrong.
Step 3. Secure the tube with pliers
Start the blade and slowly lower it at medium speed. Once the cut is made, you can easily repeat the procedure, making additional cuts in the pipe if necessary.
Advice
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It is not recommended to cut PVC pipes using one of the following tools:
- Table Saw: Never use this tool to cut PVC. The PVC pipe is round and the table saw is perfectly flat and constructed so that the wood slides over it with ease. If you cut a PVC pipe you could slip and cause serious injury.
- Bandsaw: the blade of this tool moves too slowly and, unless you are using a blade with very fine teeth, you risk it getting stuck inside the tube, breaking it and exposing yourself to potential injuries.
- Normal saw for wood: in this case the standard teeth are too far apart and the blade cannot cut the PVC correctly.
