A pipe cutter can be described as a tool for cutting metal pipes, with a jaw that is curved containing one or more disks and the whole tool being rotated around the pipe. Plumbers use this tool to cut pipe. Not only does the pipe cutter give a clean cut, it is also a tool that is much more advisable to use for pipe cutting because it often offers a faster, cleaner and more convenient way of cutting pipe compared to another tool such as a hacksaw, although this is still dependent on the metal of which the pipe is made out of.
Pipe cutter has two types: a plastic tubing cutter and a metal pipe cutter with a sharp wheel and adjustable jaw grips. The first type of pipe cutter, the plastic tubing cutter, may be described as a tool that looks much like a pair of pruning shears except one side of the jaw is a blade while the other side is circular, for the pipe to rest on. The plastic tubing cutter may be used for thinner pipes and tubes such as a sprinkler pipe. The blade of the plastic tubing cutter is typically designed with the ability to be replaceable as it can easily wear out after cutting through many heavy pipes. Simply squeezing the two handles of a pipe cutter to cut through more dense material can be particularly difficult so the plastic pipe cutter usually allows for ratchet-type action when cutting which means that the handles can be squeezed together more easily so that greater force may be produced on the blade. The ratcheting handles may have to be squeezed together several times to get the blade all the way through, depending on the circumference and density of the pipe.
The second type, a cast iron metal pipe cutter with a sharp wheel and adjustable jaw grips may be used for pipes that are thicker such as a metal pipe. Cast iron metal pipe cutter relies on different mechanics for that clean, fast cut through pipe that can be even more dense and rigid.
Both types of pipe cutter are used by rotating it around the pipe and repeatedly tightening it until it cuts all of the way through. They also come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations for cutting pipes of varying materials, sizes and shapes.
Unlike hacksaws that will cut nearly any size pipe made out of most metals and plastics, pipe cutters are more limited. Using a saw can be difficult and messy while using hinged scissor-like-cutting tool with two opposing blades will often produce undesirable effects such as crimping or breaking of the end of the pipe, especially those made of metal. So when using a pipe cutter, it should be taken note that one should not rush into things. Going slowly and more carefully when starting off will more likely give a good, even cut as you use the pipe cutter tool. When it comes to tightening the cutter, going slow is also advisable. Speeding things up with a pipe cutter and tightening it too much can cause as much distortion as a hacksaw.
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