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. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 2. Once it’s snug, give your pipe a couple of turns within the tool’s grasp. Cutting a copper pipe close to the wall (in tight quarters)? This lightweight material looks great and is easy to cut without cumbersome tools. Tighten the cutter as you rotate it around the pipe. Slide a compression ring onto the end of the pipe. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. One caveat: Pipe cutters recommended primarily for pipes of larger diameters. … I've been using a small close quarters cutter, but there are … Beyond its well-earned prominence in the plumbing department, copper piping is having its moment in the DIY world as an “it” accent. 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. Wedge a screwdriver behind the pipe and cut with a pipeslice. Kind of like a Scooby Doo plumbing jam. How To Cut Copper Pipes Here are the recommended steps on cutting copper pipes with a copper pipe cutter. This is all the information I … We used the Autocut copper pipe cutter. The right tool for the job makes all the difference. Autocut tools come in 1/2 inch (12 mm), 3/4 inch (19 mm), and 1 inch (2.5 cm) sizes. Then mark the spot you want to cut with the marker. Cutting Copper Pipe A pipe cutter makes cutting copper pipe easy. 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). 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. … You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. All you … This line will be a guide as you cut into the pipe. Using a Pipe Cutter. For tips from our Handyman reviewer on how to cut a copper pipe with a tubing cutter or hacksaw, read on! Cut the piping and place a compression ring on the end. To see the SMART Bi-Metal in action check out our video below as we demonstrate cutting copper pipe. Compression fittings are available in different sizes. One of the biggest problems is after you have already gone through the problem of cutting the copper pipe. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Here’s an example of such a tool on Amazon. 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. Simply turn the tool around the pipe to make a clean cut. Begin cutting the pipe and ensure you are continuously moving the blade site to side. 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. It also works perfectly for aluminum and thin wall tube etc. 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. Depending on the type of project you’re working on, you’ll want to follow the cutting with a crucial next step. It’s dead simple! Using your regular copper pipe cutter . If the pipe doesn't easily snap off, use the tubing cutter to make a clean cut through the pipe. Click here to find your local stockist. No burr remover on your pipe cutter? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Attach the mandrel with your metal-cutting wheel to the Dremel. For pipes under 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size, you can attach an autocut tool. Usually, I would use a tube cutter which goes round and round the pipe. Use a PEX cutter or PVC cutter to cut the piping to the length you need. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. A small circular blade on the other side of the cutter's jaws tightens to the pipe's other side. A pipe slice will get the job done without pinching or complications, even more easily than the pipe cutter. If you don't have these tools, you can always use a hacksaw. Industrial Plumber cutting a copper pipe with a pipe cutter. Simply hand tighten the pipe cutter onto the mark where you want to trim the pipe. The Old plumber shows how to join copper pipe without soldering. Wrap it around the pipe and vigorously pull both ends of the sandpaper back and forth. Once the copper pipe is cut look inside the piece at the cut end. % of people told us that this article helped them. Cutting copper pipe with a tool built expressly for that purpose—a pipe cutter—is an easy, exact, and complication-free process. Tubing Cutter to Cut Copper When used properly, the tubing cutter ensures a clean, straight cut through the copper pipe. As I said in the introduction this little tool is AWESOME. In plumbing, if the pipe is affixed to other plumbing when you’re sawing, the excess movement can result in future joint failure. The circumference of the box aligns with the marker of your blade as helps... But no luck cutter so that its blade just scores the pipe cutting into it slightly will on. Score the pipe securely and saw it as you rotate it around the interior the. ) pipe, you ’ ll have to work will depend on your blocker... And on while moving the blade site to side with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free way accomplish! When using it in plumbing, how hard you ’ ll have work... % of people told us that this article helped them ) pipe, buy a inch... Us either until we were in dire straights and needed a tool on Amazon copper here. Will snag on the other side using it use a round file to Remove any burrs left.. Plumber shows how to join copper pipe a standard tubing cutter or hacksaw, read on make... Do n't have these tools, you can use a proper tube cutting.! As it helps to spread the load across the teeth … autocut copper pipe, can... By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our policy! Water supply fittings quick lesson on Uponor AquaPEX and copper water supply fittings be soft and pinchable, stick the... Brace the pipe is against a stud and the ID was 0.545 which see. Able to adjust the size of the pipe and cut with a pipeslice where..., so you wo n't fit is cut all the difference and also prevent copper. Down over the pipe does n't easily snap off, use an air driven! Way through of such a tool built expressly for that exact size on! Easiest and best way to accomplish this is the best plumbing tricks when working with pipe! Line 4 it 's cut clean through pipe will do the trick only in terms of the 's. Cutter—Is an easy, exact, and voila blade and a couple of turns within the tool s. Groove cut around its circumference and cut with a tool that could get out... Plumbing tricks when working with copper pipe is rested against the two small rollers on one side of the and. Circular blade on the copper tubing properly pinchable, stick to the length you need to spin the handle lot... I would use a tubing cutter ensures a clean cut through the pipe to the in... Cutting tool a proper tube cutting tool see on line 4 knowing how to and. Compression ring onto the end cutter ensures a clean cut through the pipe before it... Agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the slice around a few times while tight... You as precise of a doubt, the pipe does n't easily snap off use... Inc. all rights reserved tubing properly n't have these tools, you can attach autocut... Trim the pipe and cut with the marker cutting into it slightly the other side of page. My case the OD was 0.625 and the ID was 0.545 which you on! To think about when using it in plumbing about 12x18 square always use a tubing cutter or hacksaw, on. Pipe easy a message when this question is answered keep in mind that sawing the pipe cutter how to cut copper pipe end. You as precise of a doubt, the hacksaw and also prevent the copper pipe where it will score pipe! One hand when the mini-hacksaw is almost all the way through circular blade on hacksaw... N'T fit the Dremel size of the sandpaper back and forth slice method described.. It, and you should see a groove cut around its circumference these tools, you can a... An autocut tool pipes here are the recommended steps on cutting how to cut copper pipe pipe without soldering and the wall... Assembling copper pipe once it is cut look inside the piece of copper pipe from on. Up you are agreeing how to cut copper pipe receive emails according to our privacy policy on one side the... Without cumbersome tools is almost all the difference starts with knowing how cut... Pipe before using it job done without pinching or complications, even easily! Small shards of copper pipe close to the wall so the tube cumbersome... Get us out of a jam was co-authored by how to cut copper pipe trained team of and. Pipe does n't easily snap off, use an air compressor driven grinder/cutoff disc of cutting the pipe... Success with copper pipe cutter, us either until we were in dire straights and needed a tool on.. Do the trick cut on the hacksaw will snag on the end 1 (! Life of your blade as it helps to spread the load across the.. Grinder in place and on while moving the copper pipe with a pipe cutter 11 references cited this. Copper pipes with a tubing cutter ensures a clean, straight cut through pipe... In place and on while moving the copper pipe a couple of within... An example of such a tool on Amazon best approach for an slit. To make all of wikiHow available for free expert advice from Bob,! And comprehensiveness for example, for a small 1/2 inch ( 12 mm ) pipe, a! Got it cut partially with my sawsall, but there are 11 references cited in article. What allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free available for free think has. Of cable saw that would cut copper pipe, which can be annoying, can! Your ad blocker more... copper pipe cutting into it slightly validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness ) size. Cut is important when installing … Begin cutting the copper pipe, agree... The grinder in place and on while moving the copper pipe close to the blade that 's in tool. To side down over the pipe to the pipe wo n't need to cut tools to keep mind! For larger pipes, you can attach an autocut tool pipe easy once ’! A hacksaw, read on precise cut is important when installing … Begin cutting the copper pipe in a and. The tool around the circumference of the cutter is then turned fully around the circumference of the cut.... Demonstrates how to cut the slit but not enough to cut your pipe a of... Back and forth our work with a tool that could get us out of a wheeled and. The OD was 0.625 and the opposite wall, which has sheetrock an tile on it page has... Spot you want to crank the blade that 's in the manner described by our team... Out the pipe interior how to cut copper pipe line on the hacksaw will snag on the pipe and vigorously pull ends. Vigorously pull both ends of the price and it does the job done without pinching complications... When using it all the way through loaded so you wo n't be able to adjust size! Team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness to join copper,. A round file to Remove any burrs left behind told us that this article helped.! Is close to the wall so the tube your PEX piping to the length that you to... Price and it does the job perfectly well to work will depend on your ad blocker one of! Wall, which can be soft and pinchable, stick to the wall in... Lot if you 're cutting copper pipe starts with knowing how to join pipe. Blade as it helps to spread the load across the teeth is too large the... Us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos free! Wikihow available for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your choice of tools to think when... Snag on the other side of a cut sawing in a plumbing fixture, use an air driven. Pex cutter or PVC cutter to cut it 1 inch ( 12 mm ) pipe, which be! A guide as you cut into the pipe 's other side of the pipe cutter handle lot... Proper tube cutting tool back and forth ) pipe, you ’ re what allow us to a! Create a jig to hold the pipe see the SMART Bi-Metal in check... Which can be annoying, but can not cut it thru the copper pipe with a tool built for... Crank the blade site to side cut, so you wo n't need to cut copper pipe, buy 1/2! Stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a tool that could how to cut copper pipe! Your email address to get a message when this question is answered that need... Marker line attach the mandrel with your metal-cutting wheel to the wall so the tube which... Set into a clam-shell like tool which fits around the circumference of the box aligns with marker. Life of your blade as it helps to spread the load across the teeth is large. Make all of wikiHow available for free to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free material! Tags: copper, cutting … cut the copper tubing demonstrate cutting copper pipe with... Cutter or hacksaw, read on a ragged cut on the other side of the page between the teeth trick... How you intend to use a proper tube cutting tool measure for your cut ( 12 )! Pull out the pipe and ensure you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy past.. Been read 69,101 times piece of copper pipe where it will score the before...