how to cut copper pipe

If you’re not working on plumbing, a little movement is not so much of a problem, but it’s undeniably grunt work. We used the Autocut copper pipe cutter. How To Cut Copper Pipes Here are the recommended steps on cutting copper pipes with a copper pipe cutter. Once it’s snug, give your pipe a couple of turns within the tool’s grasp. It’s dead simple! Alternatively, you can cut a piece of sandpaper into a 1 in (2.5 cm) by 5 in (13 cm) strip. If you don't have these tools, you can always use a hacksaw. Use a PEX cutter or PVC cutter to cut the piping to the length you need. If the gap between the teeth is too large, the hacksaw will snag on the pipe. The problem is, the pipe is against a stud and the opposite wall, which has sheetrock an tile on it. This will prevent the copper pipe from binding on the hacksaw and also prevent the pipe from bending before it's cut clean through. All you … I got it cut partially with my sawsall, but cannot cut it thru. A very cheap copper pipe cutting tools to keep in our house to start with. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. For pipes under 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size, you can attach an autocut tool. Tighten the cutter so that its blade just scores the pipe. If the pipe doesn't easily snap off, use the tubing cutter to make a clean cut through the pipe. Any ideas? Attach the mandrel with your metal-cutting wheel to the Dremel. Step 4 Remove the cut portion of copper pipe once it is cut all the way through. Mmmm, jam. Using your regular copper pipe cutter . Wrap it around the pipe and vigorously pull both ends of the sandpaper back and forth. You want to crank the blade up just enough to cut the slit but not enough to go through the whole tube. Then, clamp the autocut tool onto the pipe exactly where you want it cut and make sure it’s tight so it won’t slide off or wiggle. With its rich color, sheen, and potential for patina, this metal brings character to any project and looks great in everything from table legs to lighting fixtures. The tubing cutter acts like a vise to hold the pipe to the blade that's in the tool. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Steffani Cameron, Bob Vila, The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America, 10 DIY Pipe Fitting Projects (No Plumbing Required), The Dos and Don'ts of Air-Drying Everything You Own. The regular or most widely used copper plumbing pipe cutters are one of the most reliable ways to cut your copper plumbing pipe in tight spaces only if you get your hands on the right one. The auto cut tool makes a clean, smooth cut, so you won't need to clean the pipe before using it. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. To easily cut copper pipe, use an oscillating multitool. It also works perfectly for aluminum and thin wall tube etc. Rotate the cutter around a couple of times to create a groove around the outside, and then each time you rotate the cutter, tighten the blade a little. Measure the diameter of the pipe you want to cut and purchase an autocut tool for that exact size. A pipe cutter, shown below, is placed over the pipe and the handle, or knob, at the top is turned clockwise until it closes down onto the copper. Tags: copper, cutting … Most of them are sized and … Using a Pipe Cutter. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Tighten the cutter as you rotate it around the pipe. This simply consists of a wheeled blade and a couple of rollers set into a clam-shell like tool which fits around the pipe. Begin cutting the pipe and ensure you are continuously moving the blade site to side. This line will be a guide as you cut into the pipe. Doing this is fairly straightforward. Using a Tube Cutting Tool Measure for your cut. A small circular blade on the other side of the cutter's jaws tightens to the pipe's other side. Position your copper pipe in the pipe cutter and tighten the blade just enough so it is snug—any tighter and you may bend the pipe. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 69,101 times. Yeah, us either until we were in dire straights and needed a tool that could get us out of a jam. Working with copper pipe seems simple enough but there are some minor issues to think about when using it in plumbing. Slide a compression ring onto the end of the pipe. The easiest and best way to accomplish this is by using a tubing cutter. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Then, create a jig to hold the grinder in place and on while moving the copper tubing past it. For tips from our Handyman reviewer on how to cut a copper pipe with a tubing cutter or hacksaw, read on! Cutting the copper tubing properly. References. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Pull out the pipe to inspect it, … … This is a small opening of about 12x18 square. As I said in the introduction this little tool is AWESOME. In my case the OD was 0.625 and the ID was 0.545 which you see on line 4. A pipe slice will get the job done without pinching or complications, even more easily than the pipe cutter. Learn more... Copper pipe has become a popular material in home repair and design. How to Cut Copper Pipe (5 Amazing Tools) -- by Home Repair … Leah from See Jane Drill demonstrates how to cut copper plumbing pipe with a tubing cutter. Beyond its well-earned prominence in the plumbing department, copper piping is having its moment in the DIY world as an “it” accent. However, the pipe is close to the wall so the tube cutter won't fit. This is the best way to increase the life of your blade as it helps to spread the load across the teeth. When you’re done, use the pipe cutter’s built-in burr removal tool to shave any burrs or raised lips left on the inside of the pipe, as those would inhibit smooth water passage. Cut the piping and place a compression ring on the end. The right tool for the job makes all the difference. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Next, hold the pipe with one hand and use the other hand to turn the tool around the pipe 30 times, or until it’s cut through. Wedge a screwdriver behind the pipe and cut with a pipeslice. The ring will help secure your PEX piping to a valve, fitting, or manifold. Instead of using a hacksaw, use a proper tube cutting tool. Avoid sawing in a backwards and forwards motion because you could damage the blade or make a ragged cut on the pipe. No burr remover on your pipe cutter? Industrial Plumber cutting a copper pipe with a pipe cutter. Here are the BEST plumbing tricks when working with copper pipe ever. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By Steffani Cameron and Bob Vila. I have to cut a 3" copper pipe in a wall I've opened up on one side. Rotate the cutter around the pipe. This tool is cheap only in terms of the price and it does the job perfectly well. Select an autocut tool. Without a shadow of a doubt, the easiest way to cut copper pipe is to use a pipe slice. The first step to assembling copper pipe is to cut your pipe to length. … Keep in mind that sawing the pipe won't give you as precise of a cut. It has been rated very high by the customers and in case you are looking for something cheap which you are going to use occasionally, you won’t find a better option than this one. No matter how you intend to use this trendy material, success with copper pipe starts with knowing how to cut it. A hacksaw does cut the copper evenly or cleanly. If you go to the “Copper” tab down at the bottom of the spreadsheet you can see the point value of a 1/2″ tube (specifically the ‘M’ type that I was using). Hold the piece of copper pipe steady with one hand when the mini-hacksaw is almost all the way through. Simply turn the tool around the pipe to make a clean cut. Simply hand tighten the pipe cutter onto the mark where you want to trim the pipe. If you're cutting copper pipe in a tight space (such as up against a corner), use an autocut tool. To cut a copper pipe, start by selecting the correctly sized autocut tool according to the diameter of the pipe, which is usually between 1/2-inch and 1-inch. This article has been viewed 69,101 times. You may need to spin the handle a lot if you're using a thin pipe. Attempt this method only if you’re working on a non-plumbing project—or are trapped in your home and cannot pick up another tool from the store. This lightweight material looks great and is easy to cut without cumbersome tools. Draw a line on the copper pipe where you intend to cut it. The first step is to cut the tubing to the right length (remember that pipe and water tubing are two distinctly different types of plumbing materials). The Old plumber shows how to join copper pipe without soldering. A round file worked around the interior of the pipe will do the trick. Once I downloaded the excel spreadsheet I put my information in the top bar (line 4): that I had a copper pipe and it had a 1/2″ diameter. Never heard of it? You will see small shards of copper inside the tube. Quick lesson on Uponor AquaPEX and copper water supply fittings. The pipe is rested against the two small rollers on one side of the cutter's jaws. Kind of like a Scooby Doo plumbing jam. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Here’s an example of such a tool on Amazon. Worker cuts the copper pipe with a brass pipe trimming; Workmen in blue overalls cutting a pipe with a saw symbolizing laborers, manual labor and DIY; Closeup of a plumber using a hacksaw to cut down some pipes; Air conditioner repairman cut the copper pipe; Air conditioner repairman cut the copper pipe; One caveat: Pipe cutters recommended primarily for pipes of larger diameters. One of the biggest problems is after you have already gone through the problem of cutting the copper pipe. Tubing Cutter to Cut Copper When used properly, the tubing cutter ensures a clean, straight cut through the copper pipe. Once the pipe has been cut through, use a round file to remove any burrs left behind. Zoinks! Brace the pipe securely and saw it as you would anything else. Once the copper pipe is cut look inside the piece at the cut end. Once it’s snug, give your pipe a couple of turns within the tool’s grasp. % of people told us that this article helped them. We will tell you how to cut your copper pipes located at tight spaces and we will suggest you the best product that will help you do achieve that. Click here to find your local stockist. For larger pipes, you can use a tubing cutter that you attach to the pipe. AutoCut Copper Pipe Cutting Tool. Then mark the spot you want to cut with the marker. To see the SMART Bi-Metal in action check out our video below as we demonstrate cutting copper pipe. By using our site, you agree to our. Cutting Copper Pipe A pipe cutter makes cutting copper pipe easy. 2. I think 2Busy has the best approach for an even slit in the copper tubing. Compression fittings are available in different sizes. Another approach is to use an air compressor driven grinder/cutoff disc. Cutting copper pipe with a tool built expressly for that purpose—a pipe cutter—is an easy, exact, and complication-free process. Been looking for some sort of cable saw that would cut copper, but no luck. Slide the pipe through the pipe cutter so the groove aligns with the blade, and tighten it once more until it’s just snug. Making a precise cut is important when installing … There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. In plumbing, if the pipe is affixed to other plumbing when you’re sawing, the excess movement can result in future joint failure. Usually, I would use a tube cutter which goes round and round the pipe. The pipe slice’s blade is spring-loaded; slip it around your pipe, and it automatically determines how much to tighten for a clean cut so all you’ll need to concentrate on is twisting the pipe within its grip. You help is greatly appreciated. Cutting a copper pipe close to the wall (in tight quarters)? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If you need to cut a copper pipe, you’re gonna need the right tool for the job. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRY0_5Jh574, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-cut-plumbing-pipes-and-tubing, http://bpec.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BPEC-Essential-Plumbing-Skills-Copper-Pipefinal-version.pdf, http://www.technologystudent.com/equip_flsh/hacksw2.html, https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/how-to-solder-copper-pipe-joints/view-all/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Depending on the type of project you’re working on, you’ll want to follow the cutting with a crucial next step. Though a hacksaw will cut through the copper pipe, it’s difficult to hold the pipe firmly enough to get a clean cut with a hacksaw, no matter how strong you are. Last Updated: March 12, 2020 Autocut tools come in 1/2 inch (12 mm), 3/4 inch (19 mm), and 1 inch (2.5 cm) sizes. As with most jobs around the home, how hard you’ll have to work will depend on your choice of tools. Before putting a hand-sawn pipe in a plumbing fixture, use a round file to smooth the pipe interior. You simply put the pipe in the slice, turn the slice around a few times while squeezing tight, and voila. Place a miter box upside down over the pipe so one edge of the box aligns with the marker line. Though you have to purchase a pipe slice tailored to the diameter of your pipe (even multiple slices, if you plan to cut pipes of different dimensions), this is ultimately the best tool to use when you’re working with thinner copper diameters of ¼ inch or so. For tips from our Handyman reviewer on how to cut a copper pipe with a tubing cutter or hacksaw, read on! Autocut tools are spring loaded so you won't be able to adjust the size of the cut. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Cut-Copper-Pipe-Step-01.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Copper-Pipe-Step-01.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Cut-Copper-Pipe-Step-01.jpg\/aid9425708-v4-728px-Cut-Copper-Pipe-Step-01.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"