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Cutting PVC Pipe: How to Get a Straight, Smooth Cut
The easiest way to cut PVC pipe is with a fine-toothed hand saw such as a hacksaw, or, for thin pipe, a pipe cutter. If you have lots of pipes to cut or the pipe is large, a cordless mitre saw or jigsaw is quicker. Always clamp the pipe, cut it square and remove the burr afterwards, otherwise the joint may leak or catch debris.
Get those basics right and cutting PVC pipe gives you a clean, straight end that slides neatly into the fitting.
What will you learn in this article?
- Which saw should you use for PVC pipe?
- Which blade should you use for PVC?
- How do you cut PVC pipe straight?
- Why does PVC melt when you cut it?
- How do you deburr and chamfer PVC pipe?
- How do you cut PVC pipe that is already fitted?
- What do you do after cutting?
- Working safely with PVC
- Frequently asked questions about cutting PVC pipe
- In short: cutting PVC pipe
Which saw should you use for PVC pipe?
The best choice depends on the diameter, how many cuts you need to make and where the pipe is.
| Tool | Suitable for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe cutter (ratchet shears or wheel cutter) | Thin pipe, such as electrical conduit and small waste pipe | Can crack cold pipe or squash it out of round |
| Hacksaw or fine hand saw | Any diameter, a handful of cuts | Use a mitre box for a square cut |
| Jigsaw | Larger waste pipes, also on site | Support the pipe well so it does not vibrate |
| Reciprocating saw | Pipes already fixed in place, demolition | Less accurate, rough cut face |
| Mitre saw or circular saw | Lots of pipes cut to the same length | Clamp the pipe so it cannot roll |
Cutting PVC pipe with a hacksaw
A hacksaw has small teeth that cut cleanly through PVC. Hold the pipe in a vice or a mitre box and saw with long, steady strokes. Do not press too hard, as the blade is then less likely to wander. For a few pipes this is the cheapest and most accurate method.
Cutting PVC pipe with a pipe cutter
Ratchet pipe shears cut thin pipe in a single action. A wheel-type pipe cutter is turned around the pipe and gives a very square cut with no sawdust. PVC becomes more brittle in the cold, so a pipe can split. Work at room temperature if you can.
Cutting PVC pipe with a jigsaw or reciprocating saw
Use a fine-toothed blade suitable for plastic or metal. A cordless jigsaw from the Maxxpack 18V range works well for waste pipes on site, with no cable to trip over. Keep the base plate resting firmly on the pipe and cut steadily. A reciprocating saw is handy for pipes that are already fixed in place, for example during a renovation, but leaves a rougher cut.
Cutting PVC pipe with a mitre saw
If you need to cut lots of pipes to the same length, a mitre saw is the quickest and most accurate option. Use a blade with a high tooth count. Clamp the pipe against the fence, because a round pipe tends to rotate and can make the blade snag. Never cut a pipe that you are only holding by hand.
Which blade should you use for PVC?
Choose a fine-toothed blade. Coarse teeth tear the material and leave ragged edges or cracks. On a jigsaw, use a blade for plastic or thin metal. On a circular saw or mitre saw, the more teeth, the smoother the cut. Do not use an angle grinder with a cutting disc: it melts the PVC and leaves sharp, melted edges.
How do you cut PVC pipe straight?
- Measure the length and allow for the depth the pipe sits into the socket or fitting.
- Draw a line all the way round the pipe. Wrap a strip of paper or tape tightly around it and follow the edge with a marker.
- Clamp the pipe in a vice, a mitre box or with clamps. Ideally rest it in a V-shaped support so it cannot roll.
- Cut along the line. When sawing by hand, turn the pipe a quarter turn now and then so you stay on the line all the way round.
Why does PVC melt when you cut it?
Friction makes the blade hot. If the speed is too high or the blade is blunt, the PVC melts and sticks to the blade. Turn down the speed on your jigsaw, use a sharp blade and cut without much pressure. If you see melted edges, sand them off before you join the pipe.
How do you deburr and chamfer PVC pipe?
After cutting there will be burrs on the inside and outside. Remove them with a deburring tool, a knife or fine abrasive paper. Burrs left on the inside catch hair and debris, which leads to blockages in waste pipes.
For a solvent-weld joint or a push-fit socket with a rubber seal, chamfer the outer edge slightly. The pipe then slides smoothly into the socket without pushing the cement or the seal out of place. The fitting manufacturer's instructions tell you how large the chamfer should be, so follow those.
How do you cut PVC pipe that is already fitted?
If the pipe is already fixed to the wall, you have little room to work. Use a reciprocating saw with a short, fine blade, a small hand saw or a wire saw made for pipes. Secure the pipe with a clip right next to the cut so it does not vibrate. Check that the pipe is empty and have something ready to catch any water left in it. On waste pipes, finish the new end with a deburring tool, as it is often hard to get a smooth cut face when working at an angle.
What do you do after cutting?
Clean the cut end and make sure it is free of dust. Dry-fit the pipe in the fitting first. If the length is right, apply the cleaner and PVC solvent cement according to the instructions on the tin. For downpipes and waste pipes with a seal, a little silicone lubricant can help the pipe slide in.
Working safely with PVC
- Wear safety glasses, as chips and burrs can fly off.
- Wear gloves, because freshly cut edges are sharp.
- Work in a well-ventilated space when using solvent cement, and do not let PVC melt or burn, as the fumes are harmful.
- Always clamp the pipe and keep your hands out of the line of the cut.
- Remove the battery from your tool before changing the blade.
- Old grey pipes made of asbestos cement can still be found in UK homes. The UK banned asbestos in 1999, so buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it. Do not cut these pipes yourself; have them assessed by a licensed asbestos professional.
Frequently asked questions about cutting PVC pipe
Can I cut PVC pipe with a wood saw?
You can, but an ordinary wood saw has coarse teeth. The cut will be rough and the pipe may crack. A hacksaw or a fine Japanese pull saw gives a much smoother result.
What tooth pitch makes a good blade for PVC?
A fine pitch with plenty of teeth. The exact number varies between blades and tools, so check the packaging to see whether the blade is suitable for plastics.
Why does my PVC joint leak after cutting?
Usually the cut is not square, there are burrs left on the pipe, or the pipe has not been pushed far enough into the socket. Recut it square, deburr and chamfer the end, and check how deep the pipe needs to go into the fitting.
Can I cut PVC pipe with an angle grinder?
Best not. A cutting disc generates a lot of heat, which melts the PVC and produces fumes and melted edges. A saw or pipe cutter is cleaner and safer.
In short: cutting PVC pipe
Use a hacksaw or pipe cutter for a few cuts, and a mitre saw or jigsaw if you have lots to do. Work with a fine-toothed blade at a moderate speed. Clamp the pipe, cut along a line drawn all the way round, then deburr and chamfer the end before you join it.
