Cutting A Pipe In Close Quarters

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velvetfoot

Minister of Fire
Dec 5, 2005
10,202
Sand Lake, NY
I have to cut a 1.25" pipe and there is no room for a pipe cutter. I was thinking maybe hacksaw (manual) or jigsaw (electric).
What do you think?
 
I used my recip saw when in that situation. Just take your time to get the cut as square and straight as possible, and clean up burrs with the typical emery cloth stuff.
 
Copper. Yes, I have to reconnect with fittings. I just got a 3" metal jig saw blade as well as a compact hack saw. I like the idea of the jig saw, but not sure if the 3" blade will "cut it".
Maple, you were cutting iron pipe, right?
The first thing I cut with my new recip saw, years ago, was a hole in a metal door for a kitty door. Not exactly straight! Luckily there was a big trim piece.
I saw a nice ratcheting cutter at HD, but it only went to 1-1/8". I don't have the time to shop excessively.
 
I use a chain pipe cutter for close quarters. and I have a small tubing cutter that I found at a yard sale also. A trip to homedepot and see selection. but sawall works
 
I didn't see a chain pipe cutter at hd. I have small tubing cutters, but they only go to 3/4". I just got the stuff I talked about at HD-that's all I could find.
 
hacksaw will work. just let the blade do the work. you may need to deburr and make sure it stays round.
 


These blade holders work great. Fine tooth blade, I like the blade facing back to cut on the pull stroke.

Cordless saws work, same fine blade choice. Hold them tightly against the pipe or the blades can bend and snap.
 

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Copper. Yes, I have to reconnect with fittings. I just got a 3" metal jig saw blade as well as a compact hack saw. I like the idea of the jig saw, but not sure if the 3" blade will "cut it".
Maple, you were cutting iron pipe, right?
The first thing I cut with my new recip saw, years ago, was a hole in a metal door for a kitty door. Not exactly straight! Luckily there was a big trim piece.
I saw a nice ratcheting cutter at HD, but it only went to 1-1/8". I don't have the time to shop excessively.

No, I used it on copper. If you want to wade through my install thread, I used it to get the piece of pipe out that I wrote about in there having a hard time with a pesky leak. I made the hard to get at cut first, and that went so well that I just moved up and also cut it with the saw where I was going to use pipe cutters. No issues soldering it back together - and the cuts went real quick. Almost made me want to retire the pipe cutters. Just make sure you hold /support the saw firmly so it won't move or jump around. Take a practice cut on a piece of scrap copper first to get the feel of it - and use a wide fine tooth blade since copper is pretty darn soft.

I did also use it on some black iron, but that was on a pice I was removing & not putting back. Didn't have pipe threader.
 
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