Pipes are the main element of water supply, sewerage and heating systems, without which we can no longer imagine our existence. With the planned large front of work on their repair or installation, a manual pipe cutter for steel pipes will greatly help. This tool will not only make your life easier, but also significantly increase the speed of all operations.
Unlike the popular "grinder" - an angle grinder - the pipe cutter is autonomous, produces less noise, and is easier to control. But despite the apparent simplicity of the device, there are problems when choosing it. In order not to miscalculate with the purchase, it is necessary to study all the features of the tool and the scope of its rational application.
Hand tools
As the name suggests, a manual pipe cutter requires some human effort to cut pipes. Thanks to the leverage system, or circular action, the cutting edges of the tool cutpipe product, or “remove” metal particles from its surface for the entire thickness of the pipe.
Depending on the diameter of the workpiece being processed, as well as on its location, it is advisable to choose a manual pipe cutter for steel pipes of one of the following types:
- Telescopic that wraps around the cut surface with a crimp or chain tool.
- Secateurs, the design of which is very similar to scissors.
The advantages of a manual pipe cutter over a non-core tool are obvious. First, the cut is perfectly even and precise. Secondly, when using a telescopic device, burrs are not formed. Thirdly, the structure of the metal is not destroyed, which has a beneficial effect on the strength and durability of the pipe.
Telescopic manual pipe cutters
Telescopic tools are the most popular as they require the least effort from the user. Externally, a manual telescopic pipe cutter for steel pipes looks like a wrench. Its design is based on two brackets. On one of them is a cutting device, on the other - guide carriages. The brackets are moved with each other by a special handle. This creates a crimping force.
The working principle of the telescopic tool is simple. You clamp the pipe between the brackets, apply a clamping force with the handle, and then begin to rotate the device around the cut line. During rotation, the cutters "bite" into the steel and cut off the chips, go deep into the surface of the pipe. As it weakenspressing force, you tighten the handle and continue to rotate the device.
For cutting large diameter pipes, it is advisable to use a chain pipe cutter. In its design, instead of clamping brackets, a chain is installed, which also wraps around and tightens the pipe. The principle of its operation is similar to a conventional telescopic device.
Cutting elements
In a telescopic tool, either cutters or rollers can be used as cutting elements. Incisors are knives sharpened at a certain angle. When working with such a pipe cutter, the cut surface is perfectly even, burrs are not formed. With it, you can even chamfer. The sphere of rational use of cutters is pipes with a diameter of not more than 10 cm.
The rollers are pointed discs, similar to those that are part of a conventional glass cutter. In one tool they can be from one to three. A manual roller pipe cutter for steel pipes also gives a smooth cut, but burrs are formed. To cut workpieces with a diameter of 5-10 cm, it is necessary that the structure has at least 3 rollers.
When choosing a telescopic pipe cutter, it is important to pay attention to the material from which the cutting elements are made. So, if you are going to cut stainless steel pipes, then they should be made of tool steel, and if steel blanks, alloy steel.
Cutting cutters
The design of this type of tool is very similar to scissors. On one sidethere is a knife for cutting, on the other - a steel arc for convenient positioning of the workpiece. To divide the pipe into two parts, you only need to close the handles.
One of the advantages of this type of instrument is the cost. If the price for manual roller pipe cutters for steel pipes varies from 1.5 to 5 thousand rubles, then for secateurs you will have to pay two to three times less.
Another benefit is ease of use. So, if to cut a pipe with a telescopic device you need to rotate it, which can be placed by a wall, then when using a pruner-type pipe cutter, there will be no such problems.
From the design of the tool follows its main drawback - cutting requires a significant effort on the part of the user. Therefore, it is advisable to use such a device on thin-walled pipes.
Electric pipe cutters
To be fair, it should be mentioned that there are electric pipe cutters for steel pipes. Such devices work from a 220V network, and this is their main drawback - it will not work far from the outlet. The cost of tools also leaves much to be desired, but sometimes there is simply no other choice.
Buying an electric pipe cutter is only worth it if you have planned a large front of work or are repairing communications on a professional level. At home, the functionality of hand tools is enough tomost operations.
However, if you have a thick-walled pipe in front of you that needs to be cut, then buying such a device may be the only option.
Tips for using manual pipe cutters
Consider the operation procedure when using a telescopic type pipe cutter. The first thing to do is to conveniently position the pipe so that there are no obstacles in the way of rotation of the tool. Then, using a marker, mark the line along which you will divide the pipe. After that:
- Using a chain or crimping clamps, fix the device on the workpiece, tighten the tightening knob.
- Start to rotate the tool. It is important that the first few rotations are done exactly in one line - this will mark the furrow for cutting.
- As the cutter or cutter roller goes deeper into the material, tighten the handle to ensure a secure grip on the pipe.
- Continue until the workpiece is completely cut.
To prevent the cutters from slipping over the surface during rotation, the master recommends wrapping the cut line with paper tape. The main thing is not to rush, and the cut will turn out even.
Large Pipe Hand Tool
Hand-held pipe cutters for cutting large diameter pipes are professional tools. Therefore, if you are faced with the task of processing one pipe with a diameter of 30 cm or more, then it is better to use the grinder and not spend money.
On the marketmanual pipe cutter for steel pipes of large diameter is represented by clamp and rotary subspecies. In the first case, the pipe is placed between two arcuate plates, which, as they are cut, are brought closer to each other by a special handle.
In a rotary pipe cutter for processing a product, the swaging device must be fixed only before starting work. In the future, the force is created using springs. With this tool you can work in cramped conditions - when you turn 180o you can remove the handle, insert it into another groove and continue working.
Fields of application for hand tools
Hand tools are mainly used at home. This is due to their low performance. At the same time, their cost is also pushing for this, which is several times lower than that of electric analogues.
However, in professional production, situations often arise when a thick-walled pipe interferes with work, and the use of power tools is impossible, for example, due to high humidity or the risk of explosion. In such cases, the use of a professional hand tool remains the only option. Independence from power sources is their main advantage.
