For cutting and removing older installed piping, you will have to measure and mark the piping to cut in place.To cut new piping place it on a flat table or bench surface. Measure the necessary length of the pipe and mark it. To mark a straight line, roll cardboard or heavy paper around the pipe and mark your line along the edge of the paper. Step 3: Position the Pipe Cutter Crosscut hand saw: An ordinary carpenter's saw can work fine for cutting rigid plastic pipe, but should not be used with metal. 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. Snap Cutters – include a chain that is placed around the pipe and then tightened. It will “snap” the pipe at the desired cut point. This tool may resemble scissors or a ratchet pair of pliers and is usually heavier.

DIY plumbing projects can be made much easier by using the correct pipe cutter. Just as there are many different types of pipes, there are also several types of specialized pipe cutters available, as well as general-purpose cutting tools that can be used to cut plumbing pipes along with other types of materials. 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. If you do plumbing repairs infrequently, or if you have a unique situation where the specialty cutters you own don't quite fit the bill, any number of general-purpose saws can work to cut plumbing pipes.What a pipe cutter looks like will depend on the type of cutter for a specific kind of piping. They can be acquired in lots of shapes and sizes. You can find small thumb pipe cutters to larger tools used for cutting big pipes. Basically, the work using a similar method of the tool gripping the pipe and some type of blade cutting through the pipe surface. Types of Pipe Cutters and Pipe Materials Automatic pipe cutter – a highly efficient and compact cutter, it is often called a splice and is shaped like a “C”.

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. One of the advantages of using a pipe cutter is how cleanly they cut. A cut made with a pipe cutter will usually need very little deburring to none, meaning you also save time. And the pipe cutter is safer than many alternative tools used for cutting. What does a Pipe Cutter look like? Most people who do routine plumbing work find it useful to have at least two copper tubing cutters on hand:

Hose and tube cutter – resembling a pair of garden shears, it is ideal for cutting soft tubing such as rubber.

While these tools are known as copper tubing cutters, they can work for a variety of pipe materials: These large chain-type cutters will cut cast iron, clay, and concrete pipes. There are both ratchet and scissor versions of this tool. Snap cutters operate with a chain fitted with a row of sharp cutting discs. Once the tool's chain is wrapped around the pipe and tightened, it eventually snaps the pipe as cleanly as if it had been cut by a saw. Place the tube in the cutter tool and tighten the tool blade enough to create a snug fit. Do not overtighten as the tube may bend. Step 3: Scoring the Tube Duct pipe cutter – resembling a type of pliers, this tool is used for cutting ducts and ventilation. 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.Use a deburring tool at the cut end of the tube to remove any burrs and ensure that the cut is smooth. Sand the tube until smooth. Rinse away any remaining particles. Conclusion 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. Measure the necessary length of pipe and mark it. To achieve a straight line, roll cardboard or heavy paper around the pipe and mark your line by tracing along the edge. Step 2: Positioning the Pipe Cutter

With the cutter wheel on the tube, turn the cutter completely around the circumference of the tube. This should create a cut groove on the tube. Step 4: Cut through Pipe cutter with spring load – also resembling pliers or garden shears, it is adjustable and can work with a variety of pipe sizes. With the cutter wheel touching the pipe, rotate the pipe cutter completely around the copper pipe 360°. Step 4: Cut 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. Ratchet Pipe Cutter – resembling a larger pair of pliers, it uses ratchet action to cut your tubing cleanly and efficiently.

Plier Pipe Cutter – resembling a pair of pliers, despite squeezing for the cut it has minimal risk of deforming or damaging your pipe.