Materials needed--Tubing cutter and emery cloth
Because copper pipe is very soft and easily deforms, the proper tool must be used for cutting.
A copper tubing cutter can be purchased in any hardware store or home center. Cutters look
similar to a "C" clamp with rollers on the inside of the "C", and a knob on the end. They come
in a wide range of sizes, from very small (for tight spaces and small diameter pipe), to very
large (for copper drain pipe). Choose the one that's right for the job you're doing. If you'll be
working in tight areas, then choose the compact model with the short handle. If you'll be working
in an open area, then a cutter that's medium sized and allows for good leverage will be the best choice.
To begin the cut, open the cutters wide enough to accept the pipe you're cutting. Center the cutting
wheel over the mark and tighten the cutters until snug on the pipe. Slowly make one full turn of the
cutter around the pipe making sure that the score mark ends up in the same place it started.
Tighten the cutter clamp another 1/2 turn and spin the cutter around the pipe another full turn. Keep
repeating the tightening and turning until the pipe sections fall apart.
Check the cut to make sure it's burr-free. Any burrs can be removed with a piece of emery cloth.
Use the reamer that comes with the tubing cutter to remove any burrs inside the pipe (arrow shaped attachment).
PLEASE NOTE! Although it is very easily cut with a hack saw, copper pipe should never be cut
in this manner. Saws produce rough, jagged and uneven edges which will cause problems when the
time comes for soldering. These problems may lead to total joint failure quickly, or years from now.
When working with pipes with water in them it is advisable to take a piece of white bread and roll it in a ball and put it in the wet pipe to stop the water from running while you solder the joints together.
Lot PlansBecause copper pipe is very soft and easily deforms, the proper tool must be used for cutting.
A copper tubing cutter can be purchased in any hardware store or home center. Cutters look
similar to a "C" clamp with rollers on the inside of the "C", and a knob on the end. They come
in a wide range of sizes, from very small (for tight spaces and small diameter pipe), to very
large (for copper drain pipe). Choose the one that's right for the job you're doing. If you'll be
working in tight areas, then choose the compact model with the short handle. If you'll be working
in an open area, then a cutter that's medium sized and allows for good leverage will be the best choice.
To begin the cut, open the cutters wide enough to accept the pipe you're cutting. Center the cutting
wheel over the mark and tighten the cutters until snug on the pipe. Slowly make one full turn of the
cutter around the pipe making sure that the score mark ends up in the same place it started.
Tighten the cutter clamp another 1/2 turn and spin the cutter around the pipe another full turn. Keep
repeating the tightening and turning until the pipe sections fall apart.
Check the cut to make sure it's burr-free. Any burrs can be removed with a piece of emery cloth.
Use the reamer that comes with the tubing cutter to remove any burrs inside the pipe (arrow shaped attachment).
PLEASE NOTE! Although it is very easily cut with a hack saw, copper pipe should never be cut
in this manner. Saws produce rough, jagged and uneven edges which will cause problems when the
time comes for soldering. These problems may lead to total joint failure quickly, or years from now.
When working with pipes with water in them it is advisable to take a piece of white bread and roll it in a ball and put it in the wet pipe to stop the water from running while you solder the joints together.
