What Is a Pipe Cutter?
A pipe cutter is a cutter that can cut hard metal pipes and is indispensable for making pipes.
There are two types of pipe cutter: the rotary type, which is commonly used, and the ratchet type, which is used for cutting PVC pipes. The rotary type requires less force and can cut even hard stainless steel pipes with a light turn, but has the disadvantage that it is difficult to secure the pipes. The ratchet pipe cutter compensates for this disadvantage by firmly securing the pipe to the pipe cutter and cutting it so that there is no misalignment in the cut.
Uses of Pipe Cutters
Pipes are made in various types according to their uses. Vinyl chloride pipes are used for household water pipes, etc., while stainless steel, aluminum, and copper pipes are used for industrial applications. It is difficult to cut these pipes with a saw, and even if it is possible, the cut surface will not be clean. For this reason, pipe cutters are used, which are specialized tools that can cut pipes cleanly.
For example, pipe cutters are used to cut new water and drainage lines for household use using PVC pipes, and for industrial use, when pipes need to be cut to make gas lines such as nitrogen and oxygen lines and raw material supply lines.
Principle of Pipe Cutters
When using pipe cutters, first secure the pipe in a vice to prevent it from moving. Next, both rotary and ratchet pipe cutters are attached to the pipe, and then the pipe is cut.
The pipe cutters has disk-shaped blade, which is rotated along the circumference of the pipe to make a cut in the side wall of the pipe gradually. As the cut becomes deeper, the blade is made deeper to enlarge the cut, and eventually the pipe is cut. The rotary type, as the name implies, rotates around the pipe, so it has a roller on the opposite side of the blade to facilitate pipe rotation. The ratchet type has the same operating mechanism as the ratchet wrench, and the blade rotates around the pipe by moving the handle up and down. This is especially convenient for use in tight spaces because there is no need to rotate the blade in a circular motion as with a rotary type.
Pipe materials range from hard to soft, but when cutting hard materials, the blade will not cut well unless a blade specially designed for hard pipes is used.