Pipe cutters: types, purpose, manufacturers
When installing and repairing pipelines, water supply systems, heating and sewerage systems, there is an inevitable need to apply pipe cutters for fast and high-quality pipe cutting without overdoing.
Installation, repairing and dismantling of pipelines, water supply systems, heating and sewerage systems, as well as car service or household equipment works cannot do without manipulating pipes and pipe connections, when cutting all diameter pipes made of various materials becomes necessary.
Professional work requires relevant tools, including special devices, i.e. pipe cutters, which allow rapid and clean pipe cutting without unnecessary efforts.
Despite the fairly unambiguous name of this tool type, the classification of pipe cutters is sufficiently diverse. Pipe cutters are divided by the following parameters:
- Principle of operation
- Drive type
- Design features
- Scope of application
- Performance
- Dimensions and weight
- Material
Let's try to figure out which one of pipe cutter types should be selected to perform targeted operations when working on pipes.
- Despite the wide variety of pipe cutter types, which will be discussed further, the entire range of special tools for mechanical pipe cutting can be divided into two types depending on the principle of operation:
- Orbital pipe cutters
- Stationary pipe cutters
Orbital cutting is performed with pipe cutter on an immovably secured workpiece. The tool is fixed around this "axis", and its cutting part provides a circular motion. Orbital pipe cutters allow to work with already installed pipelines and in limited space conditions.
For standard cutting of pipes that have not yet been installed, stationary pipe cutters are generally used, where the principle is to rotate the workpiece with respect to the longitudinal axis in the fixed tool.
However, there are pipe cutters for industrial needs, where other non-mechanical principles of operation are implemented:
- cumulative,
- laser,
- plasma.
Cumulative cutting is used for steel pipes with diameter of up to 1500 mm with wall thickness of up to 30 mm. Cutting walls of such pipes is carried out by high-speed cumulative jet that occurs at the time of charge explosion in two special rings installed on the pipe at the point of the intended cut.
Laser pipe cutting is commercially applied for precise and high-speed pipe cutting at different angles. It is carried out on special CNC machines.
Plasma pipe cutters are automatic programmable CNC machines, which are used for plain and shape cutting of pipes from various alloys. The automatic CNC machine is mostly applied, that works on software basis.
- Depending on what force powers the pipe cutting mechanism, pipe cutters are divided into the following types:
- Handheld
- Electric
- Hydraulic
- Pneumatic
Handheld pipe cutters
Handheld pipe cutters are used for cutting pipes of a limited diameter range and when performing a small amount of work. They are distinguished by portability, light weight, mobility, and noise absence during operation. They are mainly used in everyday life, when repairing domestic pipe networks and systems.
Handheld pipe cutter Rex N42 | Handheld pipe cutter Ridgid RC-3240 |
Price from 5 090 rub. | Price from 2 008 rub. |
Electric pipe cutters
Electric pipe cutters supply high productivity, as their cutting disc is powered by electric motor. Therefore, they find use in such works where a large amount of work on cutting pipes per unit of time is required to perform.
Somewhat the need to connect to power source limits the scope of electric pipe cutter application. However, battery-type models can provide mobility and independence from the mains.
The noise level during the operation of any electric pipe cutter is sufficiently high.
Cutting and Prep Machine Ridgid 122 |
Price 183 816 rub. |
Pneumatic pipe cutters
Cutting parts of pneumatic pipe cutters are driven by compressed air, which is pumped by a special compression unit. In terms of efficiency, they essentially surpass handheld models. The compressor noise level is relatively high.
Hydraulic pipe cutters
Hydraulic pipe cutters are high-powered machines. They are triggered by hydraulic fluid, which makes them heavy and limited in mobility.
Although portable hydraulic pipe cutters are marketed, these cutters are mostly applied stationary.
Their variety is electro-hydraulic pipe cutters, i.e. hydraulic pipe cutters that are used only in pairs with electric drive. The RIDGID 258 pipe cutter model can serve as their example, it is operated by the power drive RIDGID 700 and ensures a smooth and straight cut at right angles on steel pipes with diameter of 200 - 300 mm and length of 6 meters with the minimum number of burrs and without abrasive dust, sparks or open flames.
Model 258XL Power Pipe Cutter |
Price 343 365 rub. |
The choice of pipe cutter design principle is defined by material characteristics and diameter of the pipes to deal with.
Shear pipe cutters
Shear pipe cutters are used for plain and armored plastic pipes.
Similar to metal scissors, they differ in the adapted cylindrical profile of the jaws. The cutting element is a sharpened blade.
They are not suitable for metal and thin-walled pipes.
Single Stroke Cutter RIDGID for plastic and multilayer tubing |
Price 3 452 rub. |
Ratchet pipe cutters
This is a subtype of pipe shear cutter. Cutting pipe with ratchet pipe cutter is processed by several handle clampings. Supported by a special rake, the blade returns to its initial position immediately after the cut is completed.
Ratchet Cutters with Ergonomic Grips Ridgid RC-2375 |
Price 10 759 rub. |
Guillotine pipe cutters
Guillotine pipe cutter provides even blade pressure over the entire sectional area and is mainly applied for polypropylene pipes, as its design excludes pipe deformation during cutting.
Guillotine pipe cutters are available with screw feed and lever.
Incisal pipe cutters
Incisal pipe cutters are used to cut thin-walled and thick-walled polymer and metal pipes. The cutting part of them is a movable rotating disk.
The disc cuts through the wall of the securely fixed pipe in a circle direction, when rotating.
Roller pipe cutters
Roller pipe cutters are applied to cut fixed pipes located in a limited space; gap of 30 mm is sufficient for some models.
In contrast to incisal pipe cutters, the cutting part of roller pipe cutters is cutting rollers. Their number is ranged from one to four depending on the model. The single-roller tool can cut pipes up to 50 mm in diameter, and the four-roller ones can handle pipes up to 100 mm in diameter.
Roller pipe cutters Rex N30 | Wide-Roll Pipe Cutter RIDGID 202 |
Price from 4 561 rub. | Price 20 425 rub. |
Telescopic pipe cutters
Telescopic or universal pipe cutters are a type of roller ones. In addition to the roller cutting part, they are equipped with carriage and guides, which allows cutting pipes of various diameters rapidly and efficiently. Wide range of the tool adjustment options allows applying it for cutting corrugated stainless pipes.
Many telescopic pipe cutter models have a built-in deburring tool.
Clamp pipe cutters
A distinctive feature of clamp pipe cutters is the rigid fixation of the pipe on all sides. The cutting part of clamp pipe cutters is also of the roller type, and they are replaceable, that significantly extends their service life, as they are easily repaired. The adjustable handle, which is also a special feature of this pipe cutter type, allows working in hardly accessible places.
Clamp pipe cutters are used for cutting large diameter thick-walled pipes.
Hinged Pipe Cutters RIDGID | Clamp pipe cutters REX |
Price from 71 262 rub. |
Chain pipe cutters
The construction of chain pipe cutters is suitable for cutting fragile pipes such as cast iron, concrete or waste ceramic ones.
The construction basis is the chain with links connected by cutting rollers, which allows surrounding the pipe tightly and carrying out the cutting on the entire perimeter with uniform pressure profile.
Special levers provide rotation around the pipe, and a gradual reduction in the diameter of the circle formed by the chain is achieved using an incendiary mechanism.
Link Type Pipe Cutter Rex | Powered Soil Pipe Cutter RIDGID 238-P |
Price 76 794 rub. | Price 63 574 rub. |
Orbital pipe cutters
In terms of device, orbital pipe cutters are bench-top or floor-mounted electric machines, where workpiece is supported by several clamping jaws.
The application provides working with pipes made of non-ferrous and ferrous metals, as well as with stainless and plastic pipes.
The working part rotates around the pipe, and the cutting and synchronous chamfering is produced using shape milling cutters.
There are detachable and non-detachable versions of the tool. Detachable orbital pipe cutters are featured by drop-down holder, which the part is installed into.
Orbital cutting machines are mains-powered. Compact models are battery powered and portable.
C-shaped mini pipe cutters
When working with pipes in limited spaces, C-shaped mini pipe cutter with cutting discs is indispensable.
Handy shape, light weight and compact dimensions allow cutting pipes in almost any hardly accessible places.
C-Style Close Quarters Copper Tubing Cutter RIDGID | Close Quarters Tubing Cutters RIDGID 103 |
Price from 2 612 руб. | Price 1 394 руб. |
Pipe cutter material
Pipe cutter bodies are made of aluminum and zinc alloys, tool steel and high-impact plastic.
Metal pipe cutters are powder coated or chrome plated to ensure resistance to corrosion and mechanical defects.
As a rule, parts of steel pipe cutters are additionally hardened to increase stability of frictional or extremely loaded units.
Cutting parts of pipe cutters are made of high-speed, tool and doped steel.
Dimensions and weight of pipe cutters
Pipe cutter dimensions and weight depend on the device type, power and the scope of application.
Handheld models, which are intended to work with small diameter pipes, weigh on average 200-500 g and are of compact size.
Dimensions and weights of all types of portable pipe cutters range a lot depending on the design, material, type and size of the pipes, they are aimed at work with.
Dimensions and weight of electric models are greatly determined by the type and power of their motors or batteries, as well as the type of mechanism for fixing the parts.
How to choose a pipe cutter?
The versatile pipe cutter without outstanding quality of performance and additional options would be enough for household needs.
The best choice is a shear pipe cutter with plastic handles, ratchet and hardened steel blade.
If you have to work with copper or other easily misshaped pipes, it is worth paying attention to telescopic pipe cutters or the models with ratchet and doped steel blade.
For professional activities, it is better to acquire the ratchet pipe cutter for working with metal-plastic pipes, and the roller version for metal workpieces.
The wide roller models, which can work both in handheld and electric drive mode, should be preferably chosen among roller models.
The principal thing is that blades, cutting discs and rollers must be strongly sharpened, since even a slightly dull cutting part can simply crease the pipe.
Leading manufacturers of pipe cutters
There are a lot of manufacturers in the world that produce professional and semi-pro tools for pipe cutting. The most famous and reliable global manufacturers of various pipe cutter types are RIDGID, ROTHENBERGER, GROSS, MATRIX, KRAFTOOL, TOPEX, FIT, KWB, NEO, AQUA-S, ZENTEN, ROTORICA, VIRAX, VOREL, REX.
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