Manual pipe cutter - what are our muscles capable of? Selection and manufacture of pipe cutters for steel pipes Homemade electric model: tools and parts

In plumbing, when working with steel pipelines, it is often necessary to divide the original workpiece into fragments of a certain size. Of course, a universal hacksaw can also help out, but it is not always convenient to work with it, and the ends of the cut parts are subject to subsequent cleaning. Much better with such operations, a properly selected pipe cutter will cope.

Types and classification of pipe cutters

The task of a pipe cutter of any design is not only to quickly cut the pipe, but also to fix the workpiece in a quality manner before processing. Especially when it comes to steel pipes, for the separation of which much more force must be applied than for copper or plastic products.

Pipe cutters for steel pipes are distinguished by the following features:

1. According to the pipe wall thickness (there is a tool that is designed for cutting thick-walled pipes).
2. According to the design of the clamping unit - pipe cutters with clamp, lever and screw clamps are produced.
3. According to the execution of the cutting unit - roller, chain, incisor or ratchet (the latter is more often used for cutting low-plastic materials, and chain pipe cutters are more useful when cutting pipes made of metal-plastic).
4. By type of drive - with manual, electric or hydraulic. In the professional production of tubular blanks, pneumatically driven pipe cutters are also used, however, although they cut pipes with a diameter of up to 120 ... 130 mm, they are quite bulky and require a compressor.

A pipe cutter for steel pipes must also have some unique features. For example, the blades of a working tool (regardless of execution) must have a hardness not less than 15 ... 20 HRC greater than the hardness of the pipe material. In order to perform such an assessment, a well-known method is used to determine the approximate chemical composition of the steel pipe material using the “spark test” method. To do this, the end of the pipe is processed on an emery sharpener. The approximate percentage of carbon will be most accurately established, however, in this way, tungsten, molybdenum and manganese can also be identified, and, therefore, the initial hardness and even the approximate grade of the steel pipe material can be established:

• For low-carbon unalloyed steel, the spark beam will be quite solid, and have a light yellow color;
• For medium carbon unalloyed steel, while maintaining the same beam color, the number of forks and brighter flashes will increase;
• For steel of ordinary quality, the spark flow will be thinner, and the branches will be shorter. Flashes are practically non-existent;
• For alloyed steel, the color of the sparks will change to deep yellow, and at their ends, instead of flashes, arrows more elongated along the stream will be observed.

Knowing the approximate hardness of the listed steels, you can choose the optimal hardness of the working blades.

Working principle of manual pipe cutters for steel pipes

The easiest way to cut the material is with roller pipe cutters. The main unit of the tool is a rigid holder, in the movable part of which circular knives are installed (there may be one, two or three). The relative position of the knives can be adjusted depending on the outer diameter of the pipe (the maximum diameter for roller pipe cutters is considered to be up to 100 mm). For long pipes, a tool is available, which also includes guide rollers. They provide longitudinal stability of the workpiece when it is cut.
Before using a roller pipe cutter, the following preparatory transitions are performed:

• Wet the separation surface: this cleans the outer perimeter and partially removes rust/scale;
• Using a clamp, fix the pipe in the cage, focusing on the marked cut line;

Then, with the help of a rod, the cutting head is moved along the perimeter of the pipe, and, gradually increasing the feed, a cut is made. With well-sharpened knives, the cut is clean, without burrs. In order to simplify the design in roller pipe cutters designed for pipes of small diameters - up to 20 ... 30 mm - the rod is combined with a handle, when moving which cutting is performed.

It is not recommended to use roller pipe cutters to separate pipes with a diameter of more than 40 mm. Although the price of such a manual pipe cutter is small, the cut is of insufficient quality, and the physical effort expended is quite large.

A simpler design has cutting pipe cutters, which are widely used in domestic conditions for cutting steel pipes with a diameter of up to 10 ... 15 mm. Instead of circular knives rotating during cutting, cutters are used here, which, with a constantly increasing feed, gradually bite into the thickness of the steel. It is advisable to use manual cutting pipe cutters for cutting pipes made of plastic materials (up to and including steel grade 15kp, or for steels of ordinary quality grades St.1 or St.2kp). In this case, the specific load on the cutters is minimal, and the tool does not need frequent regrinding, which requires a certain skill. The effort can be reduced by lubricating the surface with low viscosity industrial oil or any coolant.

For cutting pipes of especially large diameters (up to 150 ... 200 mm), rotary pipe cutters with a telescopic mechanism for turning rollers are used. Such designs are convenient in that they can be used in conditions that are unfavorable for work (for example, in excavations or pits). The rollers are mounted here along the outer perimeter of the pipe, and then, using a special lever equipped with a mechanical amplifier, they are pressed against the surface of the pipe. By gradually increasing the feed, separation is performed. The cut is produced not so much by force as by the developed torque.

Electric pipe cutters

With a large amount of this kind of work, it is advisable to use a tool with an external drive, although their price is much higher. Especially convenient (in the presence of a stationary AC network) are electric pipe cutters.

A typical design of a pipe cutter with an electric drive for cutting ductile steel includes:

1. Impact-resistant housing with ventilation slots.
2. Drive high-speed electric motor, rated for 220 V.
3. Three thrust rollers providing the necessary cutting accuracy.
4. Cutting mill, fixed in the tool holder on the motor shaft, and protected from the thrust zone.
5. Reduction gear.

The mass of electric pipe cutters does not exceed 1.5 kg, however, many designs provide for fastening the tool to a bench workbench. Lubrication of the working area during cutting is not required.
The design of electric pipe cutters for cutting more durable metal is characterized by the absence of a gearbox, and therefore the number of revolutions of the cutting tool reaches 3000 ... 4000 per minute. In such conditions, the supply of lubricant to the separation zone is mandatory. The working tool is made of hard alloy grades VK5 or VK8, and the disk itself is covered with a removable casing.

The design of the hydraulic pipe cutter includes a working cylinder, a rod and a piston, and the necessary pressure is created by a compact hydraulic pump, which is included in the package. The stroke of the cutter is controlled by changing the pressure of the working fluid - water. Hydraulic pipe cutters can be used in any conditions, but they are inferior in power to electric models.

Capabilities of the most popular handheld pipe cutting tools

The RIGID trademark actively promotes its products to the profile markets of the country. Pipe cutters from this company are compact in size, and at the same time they cut pipes of both alloyed and non-alloyed steel with high quality. In order to reduce the effort during cutting, the feeding unit is equipped with rolling bearings, which reduce friction losses. The return of the cutting rollers to their original position is carried out by a spring device. The fastening of the rollers itself is unified and quick-detachable, which facilitates the maintenance of the tool. All pipe cutter parts are made of stainless steel, so pipes can be cut even in a humid environment (for example, under water). The disadvantage of RIGID pipe cutters is the design of the handle, which does not allow developing a large torque during operation.

REED manufactures chain pipe cutters that have proven themselves in repair work on cast iron pipelines. REED's SUPER line uses a roller type cutting tool, and is more suitable for cutting steel pipes. The cutting discs are made of highly resistant tool steels, which eliminates the appearance of burrs on the interface. Compared to conventional pipe cutters, the tool has a more comfortable power handle shape, but is not designed for work in wet conditions. Preliminary adjustment of the tool and its adjustment during the operation are not required.

Rothenberger manufactures disc-type pipe cutters that are equipped with a convenient clamp-type clamping mechanism that can be easily adjusted to cut steel pipe of a different diameter. The roller tool is characterized by increased strength and rigidity, and therefore can qualitatively cut pipes with thick walls. In terms of cut quality, Rothenberger pipe cutters are not inferior to those discussed above, however, they are equipped with an expanded set of cutting rollers, and therefore are also suitable for working with copper or cast iron pipes.

A manual pipe cutter is a convenient and efficient, almost portable device for cutting pipe products. External simplicity does not mean low applicability, and we will try to prove this in this article.

A manual pipe cutter for steel pipes or any other material works solely due to the muscular strength of a person. On the one hand, this is good, because you directly control the entire process, and no emergency situations can occur, unless your hand trembles. While electrical machines have a lot of components that can fail, you need to constantly clean them and monitor their technical condition. Yes, and in work, you can ruin the pipe only due to a power outage or a minute malfunction of the motor or moving tape, etc.

On the other hand, not every pipe will be taken by human force, even though the manual device uses a system of levers to artificially increase the applied force. But at the household level, it is hard to imagine a type of work in which the pipes would have such a diameter or material that only an autonomous machine with a powerful engine can take them. Therefore, nevertheless, the manual version of this device in everyday life will cope with all possible types of work, you just need to choose the right model, because the variety is great.

You can say about some of the features of working with this unit. very comfortable, all attachments and the handle are made as ergonomic as possible so that the worker does not get tired, and the cut is neat and even. By the way, accuracy and lack of curvature are the hallmark of almost all varieties of manual pipe cutters., only a very negligent fake from the category "for 5 kopecks" can really spoil even the strongest product. Of course, we do not rule out some "club hand" of the worker, but this is a rare case in this type of activity.

Work with a manual unit is carried out at a pace convenient for you, so the cut is obtained without any notches and does not need to be cleaned before further use of the pipe. Also, the designs of all such tools (provided that you have chosen the right model for your task) allow you not to bend the pipe profile, so you do not have to spoil the geometry. And the last trump card is small size, these devices can perform their task equally well in a narrow passage or corner, and in a spacious hall.

These devices have many options for execution, and each plays a certain role in cutting pipes. They can differ in the type of processed materials and in design features. Most often, for domestic needs, a manual roller pipe cutter is chosen, its design and the strength of the mechanisms make it possible to work with steel, copper and plastic. However, if you do not need such a spectrum, you can pick up something simpler. We will deal with the process of buying a pipe cutter.

Having bought a tool for durable material (for example, steel), you get a device that will cope with all less durable types of pipes, but the reverse pattern does not work in this case. It is important when choosing a pipe cutter to pay attention to the thickness of the workpiece, which he is able to crack. There are at least three categories: for heavy loads, for thin-walled products and for asbestos cement and ceramics.

In the first case, you get a unit that will bite even a 12-inch pipe, and will master both steel and cast iron, and the design has reliable clamps for fixing the workpiece, the main thing is that you have enough strength and perseverance. The last class of instruments, most often, is not of the manual type, so we will not dwell on it. But for working with thin-walled pipes, muscular strength is just right, and such devices are most waiting for us on the shelves, you can choose models for copper, brass, metal-plastic and stainless steel.

By type of construction, there are also many different models. For example, a cutting pipe cutter looks like a kind of clip into which a product is inserted, and along its perimeter there are cutters, the set of which and the location can be varied. Such a device can handle a product diameter of about 10 cm. But a roller pipe cutter got its name because of the cutting elements, these are the rollers, as a rule, there are at least three of them, and the more there are, the larger the diameter of the workpiece.

If there is only one roller, then the diameter will be quite small - up to 5 cm, but three rollers will already master 10 cm of the pipe. They say that the rollers leave burrs, which is not very convenient in subsequent work, they have to be cleaned later, such a process is called countersinking. For fragile types of pipes (ceramics, cast iron, concrete), chain tools are used, however, the condition is the small diameter of the product.

The working element is a chain on which there are small cutting rollers, it wraps around the pipe, and when it moves, systematic cutting occurs. There is also a guillotine mechanism, when the tool acts like ordinary scissors, only it is not paper that is cut, but a pipe. Of course, this method is suitable for thin-walled plastic materials, for example, plastic, copper can also be amenable to such processing, if the thickness allows.

If it is necessary to cut steel, then most often a roller tool is used. For the simplest representative, the course of work will be approximately the following. The object is first marked along its entire length. If you are cutting metal, then you need to moisten it, for this you can take oil or plain water. at. Now you should install the pipe in the clamp, which is on the pipe cutter. We open the pressure block, insert the object, apply the cutting roller to the line we have drawn and screw the locking mechanism well.

Now you need to rotate it, gradually tightening it, increasing the tension in the block, from this the pipe will be divided exactly along the mark. Quite a fast and efficient way to cut.

When you have metal-plastic or even polypropylene in front of you, then a guillotine pipe cutter is quite suitable. For a successful cut, we put a mark where separation is required. Then we push the tool handles apart, grab and close them so that the blade touches the mark. Now it remains to press the handle so that the guillotine knife clearly passes through the entire diameter, it is important to apply enough force, and the process can be considered complete, you just need to trim the profile along the inner diameter, because it is slightly wrinkled.

If the diameter is large, then such work requires a little more time, because the rollers in the pipe cutter for such sizes will need to be moved around the circumference, while they will cut deeper into the material. The more patient you are, the longer your tool will last. At first, you should cut the rollers into the pipe quite a bit and deepen them a little on each circle, but if you cut them deep at once, or deepen them too quickly during work, the tool life will be significantly reduced, because the wear of the rollers will be rapid.

Using steel pipes of various diameters, you will certainly encounter the need to fit them, namely, cutting. You can use many different tools to solve this problem, but a manual or electric pipe cutter is the best solution.

With it, you can easily divide the pipe into sections of the required length in order to use them in the future, for example, to cut threads, weld, etc. It is possible to make a pipe cutter for steel pipes with your own hands, but it will be much easier to buy it, in addition, after reading the article, you can independently choose the right tool for yourself at a low price.

How to cut a steel pipe

For cutting steel pipes, one of the following tools is selected:

• Pipe cutting tool;
• Electromechanical circular saw;
• Gas cutting of pipes;
• Plasma cutting of pipes;
• Special pipe cutting machines;
• Special abrasive cutting machines are also used;
• Tape machines;
• And pipe cutting machines.

At home, you can use many different tools, for example, in almost every home you can find a hacksaw for metal, with which you can cut a pipe, spending a lot of time and effort. The result of such sawing will also be of poor quality, so we recommend using an electric tool, such as a circular saw, which will speed up the cutting process, as well as improve the quality of the result.

The best solution for sawing small pipes is plasma or gas cutting. Small machines with a mechanical or manual drive will also allow you to make a high-precision cut with quality edges. Using such a tool, you can make a cut of different thicknesses and at different angles, without losing accuracy.

Laser cutting will help to achieve the most perfect cut, however, it is impractical to use it for home sawing due to the high cost of equipment. Laser technology is used only in industries where products are massively cut into blanks of the required length. In this way, pipes of various diameters can be cut, and not only individually.

Features of choosing a pipe cutter

As we said above, a homemade pipe cutter for steel pipes is a big problem, so it's better to familiarize yourself with the features of choosing a finished tool.

When choosing a tool, you should pay attention to its two main characteristics: the maximum and minimum section of the pipe, as well as the material that can be cut with this pipe cutter.

• Tool for thin-walled pipes;
• For asbestos cement and ceramics;
• And a heavy-duty pipe cutter.

In more detail, it is worth noting that the tool for heavy loads is only electric. It is able to cut pipes up to 300 mm in diameter, made of durable materials such as cast iron or steel, hence its second name: steel pipe cutter.

For thin-walled pipes, manual pipe cutters with a simplified design are usually produced. With the help of them you can cut pipes made of brass, copper, metal-plastic and stainless steel.

Classification of pipe cutters by type of construction

In total, there are five groups of mechanisms that differ in some design features:

• roller;
• Chain;
• Incisal;
• Ratchet;
• Rotary telescopic or rotary mechanisms.

The roller pipe cutter is designed for cutting steel products. The pipe cutter drawing includes two groups of rollers. The first group is directly responsible for cutting the pipe, and the second group of rollers guides the pipe being cut. Such a pipe cutter can handle a pipe up to 100 mm if its design includes three rollers. The single roller design is able to cut pipe with a maximum diameter of 50mm.

A chain cutter for steel pipes is rarely used, because its design is designed for fragile materials, such as concrete or ceramics. The design of the chain pipe cutter is quite simple; it consists of a tensioning mechanism, swivel arms and chains with rollers. The pipe cutter is classified as a manual type and cuts thin single-layer pipes with a cross section of up to 30 mm.

Cutting pipe cutters are designed for cutting plastic pipes with a diameter of up to 100 mm. Outwardly, this tool resembles a steel clip into which special disks are built. The position of the discs is adjusted to the required diameter, after which they cut the pipe.

The rotary pipe cutter is classified as a professional equipment for heavy loads. Such metal pipe cutters are often used for working at the bottom of trenches, as well as under water. The principles of operation of such a tool are quite simple: the rollers are attached around the pipe, after which they are set in motion by a removable handle, cutting a pipe with a wall thickness of up to 19 mm.

Electric and manual pipe cutters

All pipe cutters are also divided according to the principle of their work into manual and electric. They are also divided into pneumatic and hydraulic, which we will talk about a little later.

So, a manual pipe cutter is ideal for work with a small volume, because sawing with such a tool is quite simple: you just need to fix the device on the pipe and make a cut by making a few turns with the handle or the tool itself. Other advantages of a hand tool include compactness, because with it you can make a cut at a great height, or in a hard-to-reach place.

An electric pipe cutter for large diameter steel pipes is better than a manual pipe cutter, in addition, it allows you to complete a large amount of work in the shortest possible time. Another advantage of an electric tool is the good quality of the materials used for its manufacture.

The high strength of such equipment allows you to perform a large amount of work without worrying about the safety of the tool. The advantages also include the ease of cutting, which is performed by an electric motor. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the high cost of this equipment, due to which the purchase for one-time work becomes impractical.

Other advantages also include good balance, high quality of cut, accuracy of the resulting edges, on which you will not find burrs, as well as the ability to replace the cutting rollers. Stopping at the latter, it is worth saying that this allows not only to update the cutting speed in case of wear, but also to change the type of material being processed, for example, from steel to ceramics, etc.

Hydraulic and pneumatic pipe cutters

As mentioned above, the cut can be made by hydraulic and pneumatic mechanism.

Pneumatic pipe cutters for their work use air that is forced into the piston under pressure. Such pipe cutters are used for cutting pipes with a cross section of up to 130 cm. The cut itself is performed with cutters that can be provided for different materials, which allows cutting both metal and plastic pipes.

The disadvantages of this device include high weight, which often reaches 60 kg. It is not possible to work with such a heavy tool in a trench or at a height.

Hydraulic pipe cutters work in a similar way, only the pressure in the piston is created with the help of water, which is pumped by a hydraulic pump. Pressing on the piston with water, the hydraulic pump cuts the pipe with cutters, after which the pressure decreases, and the rod returns the cutters to their original position.

Features of manual pipe cutters

One of the main advantages of a hand tool is that you can easily control the entire process of cutting pipe, because it is done through your muscle strength, which you can add and reduce as needed.

It is also worth noting that the design of manual pipe cutters does not contain complex parts, so they are not afraid of breakage of pistons and engines.

The disadvantages of a hand tool include physical exertion and the limited size of the diameter that they can cut. These disadvantages are almost imperceptible at home, because the amount of work will not cause severe fatigue, and the diameter of the pipes used for domestic plumbing rarely exceeds that allowed for cutting with a hand tool.

Cutting the pipe is easy, because the small dimensions of such a tool is also a big plus. The quality of the result is largely due to the fact that you precisely control the cutting process.

How to work with an electric pipe cutter

The whole cutting process depends on which pipe cutter you are using. In total, there are two types of electric pipe cutter: detachable and one-piece. A split pipe cutter is more often used by professionals. It has a durable body that splits into two parts, which makes it easy to fix it on the pipe, even in hard-to-reach places.

The cutting elements in this design are cutters, which can be two or more pieces. One of them is often used for chamfering, and the rest for cutting itself. The pipe cutter itself is fixed on the pipe with the help of special cams, which are also included in the kit. Their number depends on the size of the cutting equipment. Also, a servo drive is often supplied with the kit, which controls the stroke of the pipe cutter, as well as preventing its overload.

Starting installation, two detachable parts are placed on the pipe and aligned horizontally. Then they are fixed with main and auxiliary jaws, the number of which is determined by the size of the diameter of the product being cut. After fixing the pipe cutter, the cutters are set 2 mm from the edge and the servo drive is mounted.

After turning on the tool, the cutters will automatically begin to descend to the surface of the pipe and cut it. The power tool will allow you to remove the internal and external chamfer, as well as perform trimming.

Rules for operating a pipe cutter

1. Remember to clean the cutter roller, guide rollers and feed screw after use. It is recommended to do this with a special composition, which can be purchased at a hardware store.
2. Check the lubrication condition of the feed screw and guide rollers.
3. Avoid rough handling of the tool, do not allow chips and dents.
4. Constantly check the sharpness of the incisors, because their dullness will lead to additional stress on the device. If the cutters become dull, they must be replaced immediately.
5. Do not expose the instrument to harsh weather conditions, store it in a warm and dry place.

How to cut pipes from various materials

Each material requires a specific approach, as well as individual cutters, so it is important to know how and with what to cut different pipes.

How to cut steel pipe with a manual roller pipe cutter:

1. Make markings on the surface of the pipe. This can be done, for example, with chalk;
2. Moisten the pipe with water before cutting, but oil is much better for this purpose;
3. Install the pipe to be cut in the clamp of the pipe cutter;
4. Open the pressure block, after which, put the product into it;
5. Attach the cutting roller to the drawn line;
6. Secure the pipe carefully;
7. Then rotate the mechanism, gradually tightening it, increasing the tension in the block.

Performing such a cut on a pipe with a large diameter, you may encounter difficulties that require additional time and effort. When cutting a wide pipe, it is necessary to drive the rollers around its entire circumference, while they will cut deeply into the metal, making it difficult to move.

Cut of polypropylene and metal-plastic pipes with a guillotine pipe cutter:

1. Make a markup with a marker;
2. Spread the handles of the tool, put the pipe under the knife, and secure the pipe with the handles;
3. Click on the handle of the tool so that the knife cuts the pipe.

Having completed the cut in this way, you will also need to align the inner diameter, because with such a cut, the inside of the pipe is slightly deformed.

Pipe cutter manufacturers

As we said above, you can make a manual pipe cutter for steel pipes with your own hands, but it's not worth it, because you can buy it in a store at a low price from the following manufacturers:

• Virax;
• Rothenberger;
• Jonnesway.

Virax is a French manufacturer of professional and semi-professional equipment for working with pipes of various materials. Among their tools, hydraulic pipe benders, roller pipe cutters, pipe clamps, bevelers, as well as gas and plumbing wrenches stand out for their quality.

Rothenberger is a German company that has been manufacturing the following tools for 60 years:

• Mounting;
• drilling rigs;
• Tool for cleaning water pipes;
• Tools and materials for working with various pipes.

The Taiwanese company Jonnesway also produces quality equipment at a low price, but it differs in its lifetime warranty on pipe cutters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it must be said that a quality repair or laying of a pipeline is impossible without a suitable pipe cutter, because without it you will not be able to achieve accuracy and reliability, and besides, spend a lot of time and effort.

About 30 years ago, at that moment I was still studying at school, under an hour of excursion to mechanical workshops, I noticed how a worker cut a pipe. After clamping it in a vise, I threw some kind of tool on it, twisted it several times around the pipe and cut off as much as necessary. "Pipe cutter," the labor teacher said respectfully, and we went on.

A week later, in labor classes, we were asked to cut water pipes into small segments for squeezing. We broke a lot of hacksaw blades at that moment! It was here that I remembered the excursion and the pipe cutter! How it was made, I did not know at all. I decided to design from memory and from what was at hand and unowned lay in the garage. But the next lesson overfulfilled the plan.

Not so long ago, in our shed, I accidentally stumbled upon my creation, which to this day does not stop regularly cutting pipes and iron rounds. Broken blades from hacksaws on a broomstick are not thrown into the father’s house at all, since the fragments are perfect for a pipe cutter. Later, I noticed a full-fledged "branded" pipe cutter, but mine is no worse.

It is not difficult to work on it: fragments of a canvas 30 ... 50 millimeters long rest against fonts with a diameter of 3 mm and are clamped between the body and the cheeks with two M6 screws. Do not forget to direct the teeth of the blades in one direction during installation. The device is put on the pipe, pressed with the help of the M8 clamping screw. Rotating the pipe cutter around the pipe, you need to evenly tighten the clamping screw, with a subsequent turn, smoothly cutting the teeth of the blades into the pipe by fractions of a mm. 3 pieces of canvas are enough to cut 15 ... 20 half-inch pipes. I didn’t try to cut pipes with a diameter of more than 51 mm, but I think I could cope, if only the wall was no thicker than 7 mm.

It is also possible to put in a pipe cutter instead of 3 fragments of cloth 6 (in pairs, providing between the fragments of the gasket to the required thickness), then it will be possible to cut washers from the pipes. It is not advisable to put long pieces of fabric in the pipe cutter, since the device cuts only one central part of each piece. In addition, small fragments are easier to shift along a thin groove or swap. Instead of canvases, fragments of files are also suitable.

It is possible to work with a pipe cutter not only with steel pipes, but also with round wooden parts: tool handles, shovels, stool legs...

To create a pipe cutter used: 15 x 15 mm square wire rod, 15 x 4 mm steel strip, M6 and M8 bolts, 4 mm rivets (all metal). For convenience and practicality, all pointed edges of the pipe cutter parts must be blunted, and the tail part of the wire rod must be rounded under the handle. Bend (90...120°), then we recommend installing a spring under the clamping bolt.

Pipes are the main element of water supply, sewerage and heating - systems without which we can no longer imagine our existence. With the planned large front of work on their repair or installation, a manual pipe cutter for steel pipes will greatly help. This tool will not only make your life easier, but also significantly increase the speed of all operations.

Unlike the popular "grinder" - an angle grinder - the pipe cutter is autonomous, produces less noise, and is easier to control. But despite the apparent simplicity of the device, there are problems when choosing it. In order not to miscalculate with the purchase, it is necessary to study all the features of the tool and the scope of its rational application.

Hand tools

As the name implies, in a manual pipe cutter, some human effort is required to cut pipes. Thanks to the system of levers, or circular action, the cutting edges of the tool cut the pipe product, or “remove” metal particles from its surface for the entire thickness of the pipe.

Depending on the diameter of the workpiece being processed, as well as on its location, it is advisable to choose a manual pipe cutter for steel pipes of one of the following types:

1. Telescopic, which wraps around the cut surface with a crimp or chain fixture.
2. Secateurs, the design of which is very similar to scissors.

The advantages of a manual pipe cutter over a non-core tool are obvious. First, the cut is perfectly even and precise. Secondly, when using a telescopic device, burrs are not formed. Thirdly, the structure of the metal is not destroyed, which has a beneficial effect on the strength and durability of the pipe.

Telescopic manual pipe cutters

Telescopic tools are the most popular, as they require the least amount of effort from the user. Externally, a manual telescopic pipe cutter for steel pipes looks like a wrench. Its design is based on two brackets. On one of them there is a cutting device, on the other - guide carriages. The brackets are moved with each other by a special handle. This creates a pressing force.

The principle of operation of the telescopic tool is simple. You clamp the pipe between the brackets, apply a clamping force with the handle, and then begin to rotate the device around the cut line. During rotation, the cutters "bite" into the steel and cut off the chips, go deep into the surface of the pipe. As the clamping force is released, you tighten the handle and continue to rotate the device.

For cutting large diameter pipes, it is advisable to use a chain pipe cutter. In its design, instead of clamping brackets, a chain is installed, which also wraps around and tightens the pipe. The principle of its operation is similar to a conventional telescopic device.

Cutting elements

In a telescopic tool, either cutters or rollers can be used as cutting elements. Incisors are knives sharpened at a certain angle. When working with such a pipe cutter, the cut surface is perfectly even, burrs are not formed. With it, you can even chamfer. The sphere of rational use of cutters is pipes with a diameter of not more than 10 cm.

The rollers are pointed discs, similar to those that are part of a conventional glass cutter. In one tool they can be from one to three. A manual roller pipe cutter for steel pipes also gives a smooth cut, but burrs are formed. For cutting workpieces with a diameter of 5-10 cm, it is necessary that the structure has at least 3 rollers.

When choosing a telescopic pipe cutter, it is important to pay attention to the material from which the cutting elements are made. So, if you are going to cut stainless steel pipes, then they should be made of tool steel, and if steel blanks, alloy steel.

Secateury pipe cutters

The design of this type of tool is very similar to scissors. On one side is a cutting knife, on the other - a steel arc for convenient positioning of the workpiece. To divide the pipe into two parts, you only need to close the handles.

One of the advantages of this type of instrument is the cost. If the price for manual roller pipe cutters for steel pipes varies from 1.5 to 5 thousand rubles, then for secateurs you will have to pay two to three times less.

Another benefit is ease of use. So, if to cut a pipe with a telescopic device you need to rotate it, which a wall can fit, then when using a pruner type pipe cutter, there will be no such problems.

Its main drawback follows from the design of the tool - significant effort from the user is required for cutting. Therefore, it is advisable to use such a device on thin-walled pipes.

Electric pipe cutters

In fairness, it should be mentioned that there are electric pipe cutters for steel pipes. Such devices work from a 220V network, and this is their main drawback - it will not work far from the outlet. The cost of tools also leaves much to be desired, but sometimes there is simply no other choice.

It is worth buying an electric pipe cutter only if you have planned a large front of work or are repairing communications on a professional level. At home, the functionality of hand tools is enough to perform most operations.

However, if you have a thick-walled pipe that needs to be cut, then buying such a device may be the only possible option.

Consider the procedure for using a telescopic type pipe cutter. The first thing to do is to conveniently position the pipe so that there are no obstacles in the way of rotation of the tool. Then, using a marker, mark the line along which you will divide the pipe. After that:

1. Using a chain or crimping clamps, fix the device on the workpiece, tighten the tightening knob.
2. Begin to perform rotational movements with the tool. It is important that the first few rotations are done exactly in one line - this will mark the furrow for cutting.
3. As the cutter or cutter roller goes deeper into the material, tighten the handle to ensure a secure grip on the pipe.
4. Continue until the workpiece is completely cut.

To prevent the cutters from slipping over the surface during rotation, the master recommends wrapping the cut line with paper tape. The main thing is not to rush, and the cut will be even.

Hand tool for large diameter pipes

Manual pipe cutters for cutting large diameter pipes are professional tools. Therefore, if you are faced with the task of processing one pipe with a diameter of 30 cm or more, then it is better to use the “grinder” and not spend money.

On the market, a manual pipe cutter for large diameter steel pipes is represented by a collar and rotary subspecies. In the first case, the pipe is placed between two arcuate plates, which, as they are cut, are brought closer to each other by a special handle.

In a rotary pipe cutter for processing a product, the swaging device must be fixed only before starting work. In the future, the force is created using springs. With such a tool you can work in cramped conditions - when you turn 180 about, you can remove the handle, insert it into another groove and continue working.

Areas of application for hand tools

Hand tools are mainly used at home. This is due to their low performance. At the same time, their cost is also pushing for this, which is several times lower than that of electric-driven counterparts.

However, in professional production, situations often arise when a thick-walled pipe interferes with work, and the use of power tools is impossible, for example, due to high humidity or the danger of an explosion. In such cases, the use of a professional hand tool remains the only option. Independence from power sources is their main advantage.