Pipe cutter manual for steel pipes: types, characteristics, application

Pipes - the main element of water supply, sewerage and heating - systems, without which we no longer think of their existence. With a large-scale work planned for their repair or installation, a manual pipe cutter for steel pipes will help greatly. This tool not only makes life easier for you, but also significantly increases the speed of all operations. Unlike the popular "grinder" - the angle grinder - the pipe cutter is autonomous, produces less noise, it is easier to control. But despite the apparent simplicity of the device, when choosing it, problems arise. In order not to lose with the purchase, it is necessary to study all the features of the tool and the scope of its rational application.

Hand tools

As it is clear from the name, in a manual pipe cutter some force is required from the side of a person for cutting pipes. Due to the system of levers, or the circular action, the cutting edges of the tool cut the tubular product, or "remove" the metal particles from its surface over the entire thickness of the pipe. Depending on the diameter of the workpiece being processed, and also on its location, it is advisable to choose a manual pipe cutter for steel pipes of one of the following types:

1. Telescopic, which grips the surface of the cut with a crimping or chain attachment.
2. Secessor, whose design is very similar to scissors.

The advantages of a hand pipe cutter in front of a non-core tool are obvious. Firstly, the cut is perfectly even and precise. Secondly, when using a telescopic device, burrs are not formed. Third, the structure of the metal does not collapse, which has a beneficial effect on the strength and durability of the pipe.

Telescopic hand cutters

Telescopic tools are the most popular, as they require a minimum of effort from the user. Externally, a telescopic pipe cutter manual for steel pipes is similar to a wrench. The basis of its design are two staples. On one of them there is a cutting device, on the other - guiding carriages. Staples move with each other with a special handle. This creates a crushing force.

The principle of operation of the telescopic tool is simple. You clamp the pipe between the staples, create a crimping force with the handle, and then start rotating the device around the cut line. When rotating, the incisors "bite" into the steel and cut the chips, deepen into the surface of the pipe. As the compression force decreases, 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 crimping staples, a chain is installed, which also grabs and contracts the pipe. The principle of its operation is similar to an ordinary telescopic device.

Cutting elements

In the telescopic tool, cutters or rollers can be used as cutting elements. The incisors are knives sharpened at a certain angle. When working with such a pipe cutter, the cut surface is perfectly smooth, no burrs are formed. With its help, you can even take a chamfer. The sphere of rational use of incisors is pipes with a diameter of no more than 10 cm. Rollers are sharpened disks, like those that are part of a conventional glass cutter. One tool can have one to three. Roller pipe cutters manual for steel pipes also gives an even cut, but burrs are formed. For cutting workpieces with a diameter of 5-10 cm, it is necessary that there are at least 3 rollers in the construction.

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, they should be made of tool steel, and if the steel bars are made of alloy steel.

Sowing cutters

The construction of this type of tools is very similar to scissors. On one side there is a knife for cutting, on the other - a steel arc for convenient positioning of the workpiece. To separate the pipe into two parts, it is only necessary to close the handles.

One of the advantages of tools of this type is the cost. If the pipe cutters are hand roller for steel pipes, the price varies from 1.5 to 5 thousand rubles, then for secateurs you will have to give two or three times less.

Another advantage can be called ease of use. So, if you need to rotate the pipe with a telescopic device, which the wall can put, then there will be no such problems when using a secate type pipe cutter.

From the design of the instrument, its main drawback is that it takes considerable effort from the user to cut. Therefore, it is advisable to use such a device on thin-walled pipes.

Electric cutters

For the sake of justice, it should be mentioned that there are electric pipe cutters for steel pipes. Such devices operate from the 220V network, and this is their main disadvantage - it will not work far from the outlet. The cost of tools, too, leaves much to be desired, but sometimes there is simply no other choice. Acquire an electric pipe cutter only if you have outlined a large front of work or are engaged in repair of communications at a professional level. At home, the functionality of hand tools is sufficient for most operations.

However, if you have a thick-walled pipe that needs to be cut, the purchase of such a device can be the only possible option.

Tips for using hand cutters

Consider the procedure for 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 path of the tool's rotation. Then use the marker to draw a line along which you will divide the pipe. After that:

1. Using a chain or crimping clips, fix the device on the workpiece, tighten the tightening handle.
2. Begin to rotate the tool. It is important that the first few rotations are performed exactly along one line - so you will outline a furrow for cutting.
3. As the cutter or roller for the pipe cutter will go deeper into the material, tighten the handle, ensuring a reliable girth of the pipe.
4. Continue until the workpiece is cut completely.

To ensure that the cutters do not slip over the surface during the rotation, the wizard recommends wrapping the cut line with paper tape. The main thing is not to hurry, and the cut will be even.

Hand tools for large diameter pipes

Hand cutters for cutting large diameter pipes are professional tools. Therefore, if you are facing the task of processing one pipe with a diameter of 30 cm, it is better to use the "Bulgarian" and not spend money. On the market, a manual pipe cutter for large diameter steel pipes is represented by a clamping and rotor subspecies. In the first case, the tube is placed between two arcuate plates, which, as they cut, approach each other with a special handle.

In the rotor cutter for the treatment of the product, the crimping device must be fixed only before starting work. In the future, the force is created with the help of springs. Such a tool can work in crowded conditions - with a turn of 180 ° you can remove the handle, insert it into another slot and continue working.

Spheres of application of hand tools

Hand tools are mainly used at home. This is due to their low productivity. At the same time, this is also pushed by their cost, which is several times lower than that of electric-powered analogues.

However, in professional production, situations often arise when the pipe is obstructed by a thick-walled pipe, and the use of an electric tool is impossible, for example, due to high humidity or the danger of explosion. In such cases, the use of a professional hand tool remains the only possible option. Independence from power supplies is their main advantage.