Knowing a little about the types of cutters on the market can help you select the right one for your project. You will have several dedicated cutters to choose from, designed to cut specific materials, as well as some general-purpose cutting tools that can be adapted to cut plumbing pipes. While these tools are known as copper tubing cutters, they can work for a variety of pipe materials:
Rigid copper plumbing pipeFlexible copper tubingPVC plasticABS plasticCPVC plasticEMT (Electrical Metal Tubing)
Using a copper tubing cutter on materials other than copper tends to dull the cutting blade, so if you do this regularly, expect to change the cutting wheel occasionally. Most people who do routine plumbing work find it useful to have at least two copper tubing cutters on hand:
A small “thumb-type” cutter that is ideal for getting into tight locations. This type can normally cut pipe up to one inch in diameter, but it requires a bit more effort. Standard copper tubing cutters have a larger body and handle that makes it easier to rotate the tool around the pipe. Many standard cutters have reaming tools built into them, designed to smooth the cut edges of the pipe before soldering or fitting. Auto cutters are also available. These also work well in tight quarters. They tighten down automatically with each rotation of the cutter around the pipe—there is no manual tightening necessary.
Make sure to buy a copper tubing cutter that is appropriate for the size of the pipe you normally work with. PVC cutters are made to cut various sized pipes up to two inches in diameter. The most common sizes will handle pipe up to 1 1/4 inches and are priced starting at about $10, so they are very affordable. If you have decent hand strength, you can easily ratchet the cutter until it cuts right through PVC pipe. These cutters are also great for cutting CPVC and PEX. PVC tubing cutters are not recommended for ABS pipe, which is too brittle to be effectively cut by a PVC tubing cutter. ABS is normally cut by a hacksaw or other type of general-purpose saws, such as a power miter saw. A snap cutter requires some practice to learn how to set the chain, and it is very heavy to maneuver. It is also a very expensive tool that few homeowners want to own. Where necessary, it’s best to lease this tool from a home center or tool rental center. To be safe, it helps to practice a few times on a spare pipe before cutting a pipe in a tight space. This type of cutter works great, but extended use may tire your hands. PVC ratchet cutters also work great for cutting this type of pipe, as do most saws, so feel free to use whatever you have in your plumbing toolbox.
Hacksaw: Use for virtually any type of plumbing pipe. Jigsaw: Fitted with the right blade, a jigsaw can cut nearly any plumbing pipe up to about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. A wood-cutting blade easily cuts plastic pipe; use metal-cutting blades (and a slow saw speed) when cutting copper or other metals. Reciprocating saw: This is even more versatile than a jigsaw since it can be used for larger diameter pipes. Use wood-cutting blades for plastic pipe, metal-cutting blades for metal pipes. Power miter saw: This tool can be useful for cutting perfectly square ends when working with a plastic pipe of any kind. General-purpose woodcutting blades work fine for plastic but expect to dull the blade rather quickly. For metal, there are special metal-cutting blades you can use with your power miter saw. Do not try to cut metal with wood-cutting blades. Crosscut hand saw: An ordinary carpenter’s saw can work fine for cutting rigid plastic pipe, but should not be used with metal.
Be aware that hand-held saws do not cut as cleanly as many of the pipe-specific cutters. If you do cut a pipe with a hacksaw or similar multi-purpose saw, be prepared to file or clean off the pipe to remove any burrs left by the saw.
