Best Saw for Cutting PVC Pipe: 2023 Complete Guide. Pvc pipe cutter saw

How to Cut PVC Pipe

PVC pipe, short for polyvinyl chloride pipe, is one of the most common materials used for residential plumbing today.

If you’re working on a plumbing project that requires cutting PVC pipe, a little knowledge goes a long way towards making the cut easier.

Luckily, no matter the method that you use, it’s really not that difficult or intimidating to cut PVC pipe to your required specifications.

That said, an understanding of the process and the right tools make the job that much easier, prevent errors, and keep you safe.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need many tools to cut PVC pipe. In fact, the project typically only requires a single cutting tool in addition to a tape measure and pencil.

The exact cutting tool that you’ll need depends on the method that you choose.

Method I: Hacksaw

Frugal DIYers rejoice! It’s easy to cut PVC pipe with a hacksaw.

Once the standard method to perform this cut, a hacksaw requires a little more effort than the other methods on this list, but it’s undoubtedly the most simple and straightforward.

Here’s how to use a hacksaw to cut PVC pipe:

Step I: Measure

Measure and mark the location of your cut.

If you’re cutting a new length of PVC pipe, you can also clamp the pipe down to your workbench to prevent it from rolling or otherwise moving during the cut.

Step II: Cut

Use the hacksaw to cut through the pipe on the mark you made. Use the traditional back and forth motion until you’re all the way through the pipe.

Step III: De-Burr

A hacksaw will likely leave rough edges, known as burrs, at the cut point. Use a utility knife to remove (“de-burr”) the rough bits from the end.

Method II: Pipe Cutter

Not a fan of the hacksaw method? Then a pipe cutter just might be for you.

A pipe cutter makes it even easier to cut through PVC pipe. It requires minimal effort and is also a very cheap option.

Here’s how to cut PVC pipe with a pipe cutter:

Step I: Measure

Once again, start this project by measuring the length of the pipe and marking where you want to make the cut.

Step II: Cut

Line the blade of the pipe cutter up with the cut line.

The pipe cutter you use needs to be large enough for the blade to fit over the diameter of the pipe. This means that pipe cutters are typically best for smaller pipes.

Squeeze the handles of the pipe cutter down to force the blade through the PVC pipe.

The pipe should snap in a clean break with minimal effort. Thicker pipes might require a specialized ratcheting pipe cutter that’s able to apply more force.

Because of the clean cuts that a pipe cutter provides, there will typically be no need to de-burr the edges when using this method.

Method III: Miter Saw

Pull out the big guns by using a miter saw to cut your PVC pipe.

For smaller pipes, a miter saw might seem like overkill, but if you already have one at home, why not use it?

A miter saw is definitely the easiest method to cut PVC pipe with, but it does require a little more safety precaution since it is a power tool.

Here’s how to use a miter saw to cut PVC pipe:

Step I: Measure

Like always, measure and mark the PVC pipe before making your cut.

Step II: Cut

Gently cut through the PVC pipe with your miter saw. Remember to move through the material slowly to prevent accidents.

It’s typically best to rig up some way to clamp the PVC pipe to the actual miter saw during the cut to prevent it from twisting and turning.

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The bulky size of a miter saw somewhat limits the types of cuts you can perform, specifically those in tight spaces.

Final Thoughts

Cutting PVC pipe with a hacksaw, plastic pipe cutters, or miter saw is a piece of cake.

The cut is very intuitive and takes just the slightest bit of know-how to perform effectively.

Once you’re done with your PVC pipe project, why not check out some of our other best home DIY projects for anyone to try?

About Gus Donaldson

I built houses for over 30 years and recently retired. I’ve made lots of mistakes and hopefully teach you not to make the same ones. I still love to build and have a garage workshop that I use for hobby projects like the walnut bookshelf I made for my wife. I like to write and let people know that working with your hands and tools does not need to be intimidating.

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Best Saw for Cutting PVC Pipe: 2023 Complete Guide

Best Saw for Cutting PVC Pipe, A PVC pipe cutter is essential for construction, plumbing, and irrigation.

However, the right PVC pipe cutter depends on whether you are a professional using the tool regularly or an occasional user for your DIY home projects.

After all, many saws and cutting tools can cut pipes with smooth, clean cuts.

Either way, the mechanism of a pipe cutter should make cutting through pipes as easy as possible.

If you are looking for a fast, reliable recommendation, here are our top 3 options.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best PVC Pipe Cutters

When looking for the best saw for cutting PVC pipes, you will come across tens of options, from manual to battery-powered and even electric cutters.

Knowing exactly what to look for in a PVC cutter will help narrow down the options and get you the best choice.

Types of PVC Pipe Cutters

The first thing you need to decide is what type of pipe cutter you are looking for because there are a few;

  • Ratcheting pipe cutter. This one-handed tool uses a ratcheting mechanism to pressure the pipe walls. Once you place the blade around the pipe, squeeze the handles together, release the mechanism, and squeeze hard to cut through.
  • Spring-Loaded pipe cutter. Spring-loaded pipe cutters are single-blade tools used to cut through tough pipes. The spring mechanism offers better-cutting strength, but you still have to apply a lot of pressure to cut through pipes.
  • Electric pipe cutter. These cutters are the easiest to use because you position the saw around the pipe and hit the trigger. However, it would be best to keep the battery pack charged continuously; otherwise, the tool will be useless.
  • Inside Pipe Cutter. An inside pipe cutter cuts the pipe from the inside out. It comes in handy when the pipes are inside other materials like concrete or soil and when the pipe is embedded in an unreachable place, such as the interior of a wall, floor, or ceiling.

Cutting Capacity

What’s the nominal pipe size the cutter can handle? It varies from ¼ an inch to 4 inches, and some PVC cutters can only cut thin-walled pipes.

Outer Diameter vs. Inner Diameter

When we say cutting capacity, we mean the outer diameter of the pipe.

On the other hand, the inner diameter is the distance between the opposite outer edges.

For instance, if the pipe is 1.6 inches, the outer diameter is bigger than this, so you must consider that when choosing a pipe cutter.

Blade Material

Granted, you want a sharp cutter blade to make work easier. But not all blades are made equal depending on the material and how it was processed.

Go for heat-treated blades because they are tougher, sharper, and easy to cut through synthetic plastic.

Best PVC Pipe Cutters

Best Overall– RIDGID 31632 Quick-Acting Tubing Cutter

The RIDGID 31632 Cutter is Amazon’s best seller for many reasons.

It boasts an ergonomic design with a cutting capacity of ¼-1-5/8 inch through copper, PVC, aluminum, and brass.

  • I-BEAM Construction ensures a sturdy, durable design with reinforced surfaces.
  • Allows quick, tool-free cutter wheel change in mere seconds
  • Ratcheting automatic locking
  • Quick and easy to use
  • Extremely accurate and cuts to the line

The cutter is fairly chunky and heavy, making it hard to make small cuts.

“This thing is really quick. I cut a lot of pipe on installs.”

Best Value- EZARC Pipe Cutter

The first thing to know about the EZARC pipe cutter is that it comes with a large and a small cutter for different applications.

These two ensure an impressive cutting capacity of 3/16 to 2 inches in outer diameter.

  • Can cut through stainless steel, PVC, copper, and aluminum
  • Comes with a textured adjustment knob for easier tightening around the pipe
  • Durable, heat-treated alloy steel blades
  • Clean and precise cuts

The 2-inch cutting capacity is a bit inaccurate.

“It made a very neat cut and was practically effortless to use. It’s solid and seems very well made.”

Easiest to Use- Pipe Cutters Irwin-Tools

Our third option is the Irwin multi-purpose pipe cutter that features a sharpened manganese steel blade, a 1 ½ inch cutting capacity, and a ratcheting mechanism to make cutting easier.

  • Curved, ergonomic handles for easy grip
  • Multi-purpose use on PVC, ABS, CPVC, Vinyl, and rubber tubing
  • Locking clip for the handles
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Removable blade for easy sharpening

It’s only suitable for small-diameter pipes

“I’ve cut PVC numerous ways over the years. This tool is FAR superior to any other type of cutting tool.”

Best Heavy Duty– Ginzors PVC Pipe Cutters

Looking for a more heavy-duty cutter that can handle larger pipes? This Ginzors pipe cutter is a great choice.

It features the latest ratcheting design, the SK5 Teflon blade, which is extremely sharp and durable and has soft rubber handles.

  • Stainless buckle to lock the blades and prevent cutting your fingers
  • Affordable price
  • It’s quite sharp and easy to use
  • High precision

Can cut at a slight angle which you can fix with a thin washer inserted in the blade shaft.

“Love this, cuts like I’m cutting butter. I’m cutting pex B and it makes it easy.”

Best Budget– AIRAJ PVC Pipe Cutter

The AIRAJ PVC Pipe Cutter is an affordable, entry-level model with a cutting capacity of 1 ¼ inch. Its blade is made of high-quality manganese steel for hardness and sharp cuts.

  • Affordable price
  • Very sharp blade
  • Self-rocking ratchet design to enhance bite force
  • Ergonomic handle wrapped in rubber

The pipe can move and give you a crooked cut.

“Got it, tried it, and had a big smile on my face. Easy to use, does not take much strength, and cuts right where it is supposed to.”

Best Saws for Cutting PVC Pipes

The best saw for cutting plastic or PVC depends on the strength of the material, your budget, your experience, and how often you cut pipes.

IRWIN MARATHON ProTouch Fine-Cut Handsaw

  • Fast, efficient, and fine cut.
  • Rapid, smooth start thanks to the saw’s 12-point extra-fine front teeth
  • Thick blade delivers mighty control in your hands

“Cuts well, of course – that’s the main thing. Looks nice too.”

DeWALT 5-in-1 Hacksaw

  • 45° or 90° Blade Angle for standard and flush cuts
  • Low Profile to cut in tight spaces
  • Holds the blade up to 330lbs
  • The blade attaches to the front frame for long reach

“Great hacksaw, very good grip, nice weight. Multipurpose use.”

DeWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw

  • Powerful 15 AMP motor with 4000 RPM for PVC, aluminum, and crown molding
  • Ensures accuracy and increases productivity
  • Great cross-cut capacity
  • The lightweight design and built-in carry handle are great for portability.

“Works great and it’s just light enough that I can move it if I have to.”

General Tools PVC Pipe Cable Saw

  • Cuts a variety of pipes without special adjustments
  • Great for working in confined spaces
  • Comfort grip ergonomic handle
  • It makes fast, clean cuts on PVC, PE, ABS pipes, and other materials

“I used this to cut some 2-inch PVC drain pipe close to the wall for a new bathroom vanity. It cut the pipe very quickly at an inch from the wall to accommodate a larger vanity.”

How to Cut PVC Pipe with a Saw

  • Mark where you need to cut.
  • Place the pipe on a stable surface.
  • Slowly saw through the pipe surface, rotating as you go.
  • Once you cut, deburr the edges
  • Never push down hard on the saw

How to Clean Burrs

Cutting PVC pipes, especially with a saw, always leaves behind small burrs on the edge of the pipe. These burs can weaken pipe connections or clog up filters down the line.

Here’s how you can remove the burs, also known as deburring

  • Run a utility knife around the inner and outer rim of the pipe edge.
  • Hold the knife at a slight angle so it can run smoothly along the rim and get rid of the tiny burrs.
  • Use paper or plumber cloth to smooth out the inner and outer rims.
  • Be sure not to overdo it. Only scrape off enough to smooth away the burrs or risk making it worse.

Conclusion

You should know what type of saws or pipe cutters you can use on PVC pipes.

A simple hand or hacksaw will do if it’s a one-time job in an obvious location.

For professional work, we recommend heavy-duty pipe cutters such as the Ginzors PVC Pipe Cutters and RIDGID 31632.

How to Cut PVC Pipe

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipes are two similar types of rigid plastic pipes used extensively in residential plumbing systems. Go take a quick look under your kitchen or bathroom sink, and you’re nearly guaranteed to see one of those two pipes functioning as a drainage or supply line. It’s a safe bet that any home improvement project — like a kitchen or bathroom remodel — is likely to include some work cutting and fitting this type of piping.

That said, cutting CPVC or PVC pipe can be tricky, especially when it comes to making smooth, straight cuts. The good news is that you probably have a reliable PVC cutting tool around your house, even if you aren’t the most seasoned DIYer.

Looking for the best way to cut PVC pipe? Here are three effective methods.

Method 1: Use a Handsaw

Perhaps the simplest and most commonly used method to cut PVC pipe is by using a handsaw. And while it’s fairly simple to get a good, straight cut using this method, it’s still crucial that you take a few necessary precautions that will help keep you safe and ensure that the job gets done correctly.

Before cutting anything, you’ll first want to make sure that you secure the pipe to a surface using a vise or some other form of saw clamps. Though it might seem quicker to just hold the pipe with your hand, one wrong slip of the saw and. well, you can guess the rest. Plus, it’s just harder to hold a pipe steady with your hand while sawing, meaning it’ll be more difficult to end up with a straight cut.

When you’re placing the PVC in the vise, make sure that you clamp it a few inches away from the cut to give you plenty of room to saw. Then, once the PVC is properly secured, use a pen or marker to indicate where you’re planning to cut. From there, place the teeth of the saw on the mark and begin to slowly move the saw back and forth, ensuring that the teeth stay on the mark. Don’t press hard into the pipe, as that might jam up your cut. Instead, let the saw do the work and act as a guide for the saw as it works its way through the material.

Method 2: Use Plastic Pipe Cutters

As you may have already guessed, using a specifically designed plastic pipe cutter is certainly a quick and convenient way to cut PVC pipe. If you have several cuts to make, or anticipate that you’ll be cutting more pipe in the future, go ahead and pick up a plastic pipe cutter from your local hardware store. You’ll be glad you did.

To be clear, there are two distinct types of PVC pipe cutters: scissor style and ratcheting style. If you’re cutting a smaller PVC diameter pipe, say less than 1/2 inch, scissor-style cutters will get the job done. If your PVC project demands cutting larger diameter pipes, you’ll definitely want to use a ratcheting style cutter as they don’t require nearly as much hand strength. But the truth is, ratcheting cutters work well for smaller size pipes, too, so even if you’re cutting a variety of sizes, a good pair of ratcheting cutters — like this pipe cutter available on Amazon — is worth the small investment.

Cutting PVC using a plastic pipe cutter is a fairly straightforward process: Mark a line on the pipe where you’d like to cut, then place the jaws of the cutter over the pipe, ensuring that the blade lines up with the cut line. If you’re using scissor-style cutters, you’ll want to apply pressure to the handles and rotate the cutters back and forth until the cut is complete. The same method applies to ratchet-style cutters, except you’ll be able to repeatedly squeeze the handles and release to ratchet the cutters. Keep squeezing and releasing until you cut through the pipe.

Method 3: Use an Electric Miter Saw

If you’ve got lots of PVC to cut for your DIY project and are looking to save time and energy, there’s nothing like using power tools to help get the job done. If you already have an electric miter saw on hand, it’s the best way to cut PVC pipe quickly and efficiently, especially if you have large quantities of PVC to cut. It’s also considerably more dangerous than the other methods, so make sure you approach this task with care and follow all safety guidelines. Make sure you’ve read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions before using the saw.

Start by marking the cut line on your PVC pipe with a marker or pen. Then, line up the cut line on the electric miter saw’s throat plate. Before pulling the trigger on the saw, ensure that the pipe is secured to the saw fence using the included clamps. When the pipe is secure, pull the trigger and slowly bring down the saw blade into the pipe. To get a clean cut, release the trigger after the pipe has been completely severed and when the blade has stopped spinning, raise it back up and out of the pipe.

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PVC pipe cutters

This tool is made to cut several types of pipes: steel, copper, PVC, aluminum and stainless steel pipes. The pipe cutter is made up of a 330mm-long.

PP tube cutter 2150

during cutting. 4-in-1 tool: Plastic tube cutter, chamferer, wire-cutter and trunking-cutter. The extremely low friction ration of the PTFE (polytetrafluorethylene).

PVC pipe cutter 182 series

Tube diameter: 15 mm. 75 mm

thin wall pipes (steel, copper, PVC etc.) up to 2.6 mm in inaccesible areas by simple ratcheting. Eliminates hand gripping effort and ensures perfect tracking. Allows quick and efficient cutting.

PVC pipe cutter 186 series

Cuts through galvanised steel, steel, copper, PVC, aluminium. Ideal for plumbing, heating, joinery, and general maintenance. 15 alloy steel cutting wheels: Evenly cut difficult to reach piping.

PVC pipe cutting tool cutStream

Tube diameter: 10 mm. 2,600 mm

Cutting units for PO and PVC pipe extrusion High precision even with very high requirements We offer a wide range of pipe cutting saws (RTA), the.

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Pvc pipe cutter saw

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Description

High Quality: The pipe cutter is made of durable hardness aluminum alloy steel with high hardness, good toughness, and high strength. The blade is made of 5Cr15MoV, which is not easy to rust, bend and break, and can cut the pipe evenly and accurately, not easy to deviate. Ergonomic Design: The pipe-cutting machine adopts ratchet transmission technology, which can successfully complete the cutting operation with one hand, cutting more labor-saving and improving work efficiency. The ergonomic spring-loaded handle provides a reliable grip and strong bite, increasing productivity with fast cutting, faster positioning, and single-stroke cutting. Users can cut pipes in 5 to 20 seconds. Efficient and Safe: The ratchet drive design ensures the automatic locking function during the cutting process, protecting the user from injury caused by the rebound of the blade. There is a plastic buckle on the bottom of the tube cutter for easy storage. When not in use, the handles on both sides can be retracted and the safety lock can be locked to save space and prevent accidental injury.

The pipe-cutting machine adopts ratchet transmission technology, which can successfully complete the cutting operation with one hand.

With incredible versatility, they design for pipe applications. Commonly used for cutting most plastics (PVC, CPVC, PP, PEX, PE, rubber hoses).

There is a plastic buckle on the bottom of the tube cutter for easy storage. The lock can be locked to save space and prevent accidental injury.

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