Best Way To Cut PVC Pipe (3 Easy Methods)

When you are working with PVC pipes, you will need to cut them to a specific size; which tool do you want to use?

Here, I am going to share 3 different ways to cut PVC pipe using a hacksaw, a pipe cutter, and a miter saw. All 3 ways are the best way to cut the PVC pipe to give you precise cutting performance.

One of the best characteristics of PVC pipe is you will not face any hassle of cutting them into any pieces. And cutting is so straightforward because you can cut them using a wide range of cutting tools.

Even a complicated or fancy setup is unnecessary when you are cutting a PVC pipe.

Method 01: Using a Hacksaw 

Step 01: Place the PVC Pipe into the Clamp with a Vise

A hacksaw is the most common tool to cut a PVC pipe. With a vice, place the PVC pipe in the clamp. When you are clamping the pipe into the place, be very cautious. Otherwise, you can injure your fingers unknowingly.

• Clamp the pipe a few inches away from the cut to give yourself sufficient clearance. Placing a clamp a few inches above the intended cutting line will be sufficiently secure.

Step 02: Mark the Required Cutting Position of the PVC pipe

Take a permanent marker, and mark the required position where you want to cut. You don’t need to be worried whether the ink will stay or vanish. If you need to remove the ink, you can use rubbing liquid to wipe it off later.

Step 03: Bench the teeth hooked on the PVC pipe

Let the hacksaw be placed on the mark that you have made, and gently grip the handle with one hand. Using your other hand, place the hacksaw teeth on the marketplace of the PVC pipe. You want to start from the correct position, and doing it ensures that you don’t start making nasty swipes of sarcasm.

Step 04: Cut the Pipe Using the Saw Gently

Hold the hacksaw firmly with your one hand, and start cutting the pipe gently. Make sure you have followed the cut mark and the saw is not drifting from the mark that you have made. Provide a sufficient amount of force to cut the pipe smoothly, but don’t give much force so that the saw misses out the cutting mark.

Following this way, you will be able to cut the PVC pipe comparatively quickly.

Method 02: Cutting PVC pipe with a Pipe Cutter

Step 01: Arrange a Pipe cutter made of plastic

In the market, you will find 2 types of pipe cutters. One is scissor-style, and the other is ratcheting-style. If you are looking to cut ½” to 1” PVC pipe, a scissor-style pipe cutter will be the best one. But you will face a problem if the pipe size is more than the mentioned measurement. So, it is advisable to go with a ratcheting-style pipe cutter. Whether the pipe is a bigger or smaller one, no matter what, a ratcheting style pipe cutter can cut any sized pipe. Get your PVC pipe cutter tool to get this task accomplished.

• Remember, when you are cutting with a ratchet pipe cutter, your arm has to be able to provide much strength to the cuter. Purchase a ratchet-style cutter and make your job much more comfortable.

Step 02: Place the PVC pipe into the cutting position of the cutter

The ratchet pipe cutter consists of one rounded edge portion at the bottom part and a blade at the upper portion. Place the PVC pipe between these 2 portions. Don’t forget to provide a cutting mark where you want to cut.

Step 03: Notch the blade down to complete the cut

To cut the blade, press the hand-grip trigger on the handle of the pipe cutter and complete cutting the PVC in half. Use your other hand to hold the pipe steadily. Providing force is unnecessary while you are cutting PVC pipe with a ratchet pipe cutter.

Method 03: Using a Miter Saw

Step 01: To get specific cuts, arrange a miter box and saw

Using a miter saw, you can get a particular and precise cut. All you need to do is, you have to take standard tooth counts miter saw to complete the cut precisely.

If you have any confusion about the TPI of your miter saw, go for something like a typical 10 TPI wooden blade, which is available with the majority of miter saws.

Step 02: Place the PVC pipe into the miter box

There is no such thing that is easier than a miter box. Place the PVC pipe into the miter box. As the cut lines are already marked in the miter box, so you can easily cut the PVC pipe following the mark with the miter saw.

Step 03: Use a work clamp to protect the PVC pipe

Start cutting and bring the blade down following the cut lines. Don’t force the saw to cut the pipe; increase your speed slowly. Start with low speed and go up to medium speed. You can make an additional cut if required.

Tips & Tricks 

You should not use the below tools to cut a PVC pipe

• Table saw: Don’t use a table saw to cut PVC pipe. PVC pipes are rounded. The surface of a table saw is flat and smooth enough that you can pass the pipe through the saw easily. A PVC pipe may slip from the table saw, and it can do serious harm to the user.
• The teeth of the regular wood saw are not standard enough to cut a PVC pipe. So, you shouldn’t choose a regular wood saw to perform this task.

Conclusion

For any PVC project, it is significantly essential to cut the pipe to its accurate size. Following the 3 methods mentioned above, you can perform this task efficiently without any hassle.