Galvanized pipes are commonly used for running water in various homes because of their strength and durability. While installing or removing these pipes, you’ll need to cut them, and to do that, you need the correct gear.
There are multiple ways you can cut galvanized steel pipes, which include using a Sawzall, hacksaws, angle grinders, pipe cutters, and various other tools. If you choose the appropriate tool for your project and utilize it correctly, you can cut through these pipes quite easily.
It might be difficult to work on a project with these pipes if you don’t have prior experience dealing with this metal. While large-scale projects and restorations should always be handled by a professional, if you use suitable tools and use them correctly, you can cut through these pipes with ease.
Can You Cut Galvanized Pipe With Sawzall?
A popular brand for reciprocating saws, Sawzall is a great tool for cutting your galvanized pipes cleanly and effortlessly.
Sawzall is ideal for cutting galvanized pipes and metals including aluminum, steel, and cast iron. It is also suitable for use on wood and PVC, helping to demolish and remodel your entire space. The lightweight, small, and portable power tool is useful for most heavy-duty cutting applications.
Unfortunately, this Sawzalls does not come with a protective blade guard. Therefore, to avoid bodily injuries you must follow several safety precautions while using it to cut galvanized pipes.
How To Cut Galvanized Pipes With Sawzall
To keep your hands safe and get the job done, here’s a step-by-step guide on the correct way of using Sawzall to cut galvanized pipes.
Step 1: Start by setting your Sawzall to orbital action. This will allow the reciprocating blade to move circularly along with this normal push-pull motion.
The cutting motion of a reciprocating saw/Sawzall blade is defined by its orbital movement. It shows the blade glides in and out in a circular, wriggling pattern. This motion enables the saw to cut across the galvanized pipe fairly quickly and easily.
However, if you need precise cuts, orbital action may not produce the desired outcome. To accomplish an exact cut, the Sawzall blade must be perpendicular to the pipe’s surface.
Step 2: Once your motion is set, install the blade behind the shoe slot and lock it in place. A Sawzall’s blade is its most vital component, and it should be inserted with care.
You can find this slot between the openings near the end of the saw. To lock the blade, lift the key and push the blade back inside it.
Step 3: Now, you can focus on adjusting the speed of the saw. A Sawzall’s cutting speed is nearly as crucial as the blade. Always ensure that your hands do not come in the blade’s way when altering the speed. A helpful tip can be to completely turn off the Sawzall before tinkering with the speed.
Faster speeds make the job quicker but it is advisable to start slowly in order to prevent accidents. If your Sawzall lacks a speed trigger, make sure you set it up properly before turning it on.
Step 4: After cross-checking the previous steps, you can now turn the saw on and begin cutting the galvanized pipe. To get a clean cut, make sure that the blade of your saw is perpendicular to the surface of the pipe.
At first, you will feel powerful vibrations. Adjust your body as needed until you achieve stability. Maintain a firm grip on the pipe while continuing to use the Sawzall in a perpendicular position. Once your grasp is secure, you may progressively increase the blade’s speed and start pushing down.
Can You Cut Galvanized Pipe With Pipe Cutter?
As the name suggests, pipe cutters are designed primarily to cut through pipes made of different materials. However, they’re not the fastest tools available in the market, so would they be a good fit for cutting galvanized pipes?
Despite being a labor-intensive method, using a pipe cutter to cut galvanized steel pipes is one of the most commonly used methods. Although cleaner than a saw, pipe cutter cuts do leave a burr on the edge of the galvanized pipe which must be cleared out.
How To Cut Galvanized Steel Pipe With A Pipe Cutter
There are some steps that you need to follow if you want to ensure a clean cut with a pipe cutter. These primarily include proper safety precautions so you don’t end up slicing your hand.
To start off, make sure you’re wearing proper safety glasses and gloves before working on the pipe. I would recommend buying this pair of safety glasses by NoCry, which you can even wear on your prescription glasses.
Once you’re strapped in protected wear, measure your pipe and mark the location of the cut so that you can easily identify where to slice your pipe. Now, slide the pipe cutter along the end of the pipe till it reaches the marked location.
Once you’re at the place you want to cut, tighten the pipe cutter’s grip and rotate it around the pipe. You’ll need to keep repeating this process until the blade finally cuts through. When using a manually adjusted pipe cutter, tightening will be required after 3 or 4 rounds. However, regardless of the model, it will only take a few rotations.
If your pipe cutter is leaving a burr on the inside edges of your pipe, you can use an abrasive paper like sandpaper to effectively deburr the pipe. Moreover, to achieve maximum precision, make sure you mark the steel on a level surface.
Furthermore, I also advise you to wear a breathing mask if you plan on sanding any section of the galvanized metal in order to avoid accidentally inhaling metal dust.
Can You Cut Galvanized Pipe With Hacksaw?
Although labor-intensive, hacksaws do a great job of cleanly cutting plastic, steel, and other types of metals. However, can hacksaws slice through thick galvanized pipes, or is this too much for them to handle?
Yes, apart from cutting other metals, hacksaws can effectively section a galvanized pipe. To create the cuts, you’ll require a metal blade and a fair amount of effort. It’s also important to find a hacksaw with fine teeth which are specifically meant for cutting metal.
How To Cut Galvanized Pipe With Hacksaw
Cutting galvanized pipes with a hacksaw can be slightly tricky. It requires extra tools such as pipe clamps, metal blades, cutting tables, and measurement tools. Following the steps below can prevent your pipe-cutting procedure from going south.
Before starting, you need to gather all the tools necessary to cut with a hacksaw:
- Pipe clamps
- A cutting table large enough to support the pipe’s length
- A measuring tape
Step 1: Collect accurate measurements of the pipe to be cut. Then, place the pipe as per the measurements on the cutting table and secure it with your pipe clamps. Secure them as tight as possible to prevent the pipe from shifting from its original location.
You can even install a supporting box to stop the pipe from moving. This can also help prevent the pipe from bending unintentionally.
Step 3: Then, with the hacksaw, mark the area where you wish to cut and start slicing back and forth. The ideal hacksaw should have small teeth to cut through the steel pipe effortlessly.
Step 4: The edges of the pipe might need to be buffed after you’re done with the cutting. This can be done with the help of some vinegar and olive oil.
Can You Cut Galvanized Pipe With Angle Grinder?
There’s a chance you may have come across angle grinders in the past, so you would understand that this multi-purpose tool can cut materials like aluminum, concrete, and wood with extreme ease. However, can an angle grinder be used to cut galvanized steel pipes?
Yes, angle grinders are a simple yet effective tool for cutting galvanized pipes effortlessly. Although the procedure may be more time-consuming than a circular saw, angle grinders are extremely accurate and especially useful when it comes to making cuts in smaller areas.
How To Cut Galvanized Pipe With Angle Grinders
Angle grinders can produce an excessive amount of heat and can even send metal splinters flying into the air with their cutting force. Therefore, before you proceed, protect yourself with safety gloves and glasses to prevent getting damaged by the metal fragments.
Once you’re geared up, mark the circumference of the location where you want to cut the pipe. This will assist you in keeping your cuts straight throughout the process. Moreover, make sure that you’re using the correct wheel blade designed for cutting specifically through steel.
When you move in to begin cutting, make sure that the grinder’s blade is not in contact with the surface of the pipe. If it is, the blade may become entangled in the pipe, making it difficult to control it.
Instead, lift the blade or disc away from the surface before activating the tool. This allows the grinder to warm up before contacting the surface of the steel pipe.
Can You Cut Galvanized Pipe With Dremel?
A Dremel may be used for a variety of projects and jobs, including cutting, grinding, and polishing various surfaces. But can they stand their ground against galvanized pipes?
A Dremel can cut through metals such as aluminum or galvanized pipes with extreme ease. However, you will need specific Dremel bits depending on the size of the material you want to cut. Moreover, for thick pipes with large diameters, a Dremel wouldn’t be as effective as a hacksaw.
Dremels come with different drill bits that determine their function. Check out some common Dremel bits and their uses:
|
Dremel Bits |
Applications |
|
Sanding bits |
To sand wood, fiberglass, and clay |
|
Discs |
For precision sanding |
|
Cutting Bits |
Cuts thin metal and wood |
|
Drilling Bits |
Can cut, engrave, and polish metal |
To cut through metal, cutting bits are commonly attached on a Dremel. Before you cut the galvanized pipe, place the Dremel so that its cutting wheel is perpendicular to the pipe. Also, make sure to grasp the Dremel with both your hands to provide stability over the specified area.
Safety Precautions To Follow While Using Dremel
Dremel is an effective yet sharp tool whose tip spins at an incredibly high speed, reaching up to 35000 RPMs. With the ability to chop your hand off before you can even blink, Dremels should be used with extreme care and caution. Therefore, here are all the safety precautions that you should take while using this device.
Eye Protection
Because of the Dremel’s speed, it can send various fragments of steel flying into the air. Therefore, before turning the Dremel on, it’s imperative that you wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.
Work Area
Your work area should always be well lit while using the Dremel. Dark, cluttered spaces can cause severe accidents. Also, it’s important to not use this tool in the presence of flammable gasses or liquids as it creates sparks that can ignite flammable fumes.
Protective Gloves
Working with a Dremel requires you to cover your hands with leather work gloves. To prevent your fingers from scratching the surface you’re working on, keep your fingers curled into the palm of the glove while wearing these gloves.
Can You Cut Galvanized Pipe With Miter Saw?
A strong miter saw can cut through a variety of thick materials and wooden objects. However, should you consider using a miter saw to cut galvanized steel pipes?
While using a miter saw to cut steel isn’t an ideal choice, it can still be used to cut galvanized pipes. You can do small renovation projects and repairs using a reliable miter saw, however, it is important to keep in mind that the saw is mostly intended for cutting wood.
What To Look For In A Miter Saw For Cutting Galvanized Pipes
A miter saw is not an ideal tool for cutting steel, but with the right blade, you can get the result you want.
The blade which you choose must have teeth that are smaller than the ones you use for cutting through wood. This is so that the pipe does not get damaged or chipped during the process. You can grab yourself a blade by Makita which features micro-grain teeth made of carbide to get a clean cut.
Moreover, the teeth count of the blade should be fairly high; with a TPI (Teeth per inch) rating of around 100. Having extra teeth lowers the cutting speed of the miter saw. This resultantly reduces friction and overheating, aiding in producing a clean cut.
When preparing a miter saw, you also need to factor in the base material that the saw will be used to cut. If you intend to cut through galvanized pipes, for this matter, use composite metal blades. These blades are less likely to heat during the initial cuts and will not bend and lose their shape during the process.
Safety Precautions While Using Miter Saw
Miter saw is a dangerous tool and should be operated with the utmost care, otherwise, you can end up harming yourself. You should always follow standard safety procedures before equipping sharp, electronic objects in order to prevent yourself from getting hurt.
The first step you can take is to wear appropriate safety glasses and hearing protection. With bits of metals flying everywhere and the miter saw producing a large amount of noise, this equipment is necessary to keep your ears and eyes safe.
Moreover, always remember to operate the saw at waist height. You can do this by mounting the saw on plywood that is thick enough to support its weight. This will allow you to have enough control over the saw to prevent it from falling on your feet.
Also, before making a cut, double-check whether the modifications are secure. Only make adjustments when the saw is not operating and the power is turned off.
Can You Cut Galvanized Pipe With A Reciprocating Saw?
Reciprocating Saws are always a handy tool to have in your toolbox. These saws are incredibly versatile and can cut a wide range of materials with ease. Similar to how a Sawzall functions, these saws make use of the push-pull motion to efficiently cut metal objects.
You can use a reciprocating saw to cut through all sorts of galvanized pipes. They are especially helpful when you’re working in confined spaces due to their extremely compact size. However, following some precautionary measures while working with these saws is necessary.
How To Cut Galvanized Pipe With A Reciprocating Saw
This is a more professional approach to cutting galvanized steel pipes. Therefore, you will be required to take a ton of safety measures.
Standard safety gloves and protective goggles should be worn to prevent your hands and eyes from metal splinters. Moreover, you should also use a clamp holder to keep the pipe in place while working, making your job easier.
To cut the pipe using this approach, first, insert the pipe in the pipe holder. You can adjust the pipe holder to ensure that the pipe remains stable. Be careful that you don’t make it too tight which could bend the pipe during the procedure.
Now, find a suitable blade based on the pipe’s diameter. Insert the blade’s foot into the area to be sliced. This will allow you to cut the pipe more smoothly by reducing the vibration of the cutting. Make sure the additional blade is held outside the pipe to make cutting even easier.
Next, switch on the saw and begin cutting the pipe and hold it steady to make a straight slice. After you’ve started cutting the pipe, try to bend it to make the job easier. Hold the saw in position and apply little pressure for a deep, clean cut.
When you cut through to the opposite end of the pipe, turn off the saw. This will prevent the saw from harming other elements near the pipe.
Can You Get Galvanized Pipe With Multi-Tool?
Multi-tool, such as an oscillating tool, can allow you to cut through tiles and pipes made of various materials. However, are these tools effective against galvanized pipes?
With the help of an oscillating multi-tool, you can cut through galvanized pipes with ease. However, to get the optimum result, you need to use bi-metal or semi-circular blades attached to the multi-tool, otherwise, you can risk damaging the tool.
Most blades for multi-tools are used on softer materials like wood or plastic. If you use these blades to cut hard metal, they will be destroyed within seconds. Therefore, always buy bimetal or semi-circular blades for your oscillating tool which are made specifically for sectioning steel pipes.
Bimetal Blades
If you deal with metal regularly, I advise you to buy a bimetal blade for your multi-tool. This blade features cobalt steel teeth which are extremely durable and widely used for high production work. From carbon steel to galvanized pipes, these blades can cut just about anything.
Semi-circular Blades
This type of blade is ideal for working with hard metals as it makes smooth, linear cuts. This can be extremely handy for your galvanized pipes, which often require precision cuts so water doesn’t leak. Moreover, unlike bi-metal blades, semi-circular blades lack teeth, therefore, producing less vibration and allowing you to control the tool better while cutting the pipes.
How To Cut Iron Pipe The Proper Way
Finding an appropriate way to cut iron pipes can be quite challenging. Sure, cutting such a hard material may seem like a daunting task, however, with the appropriate tools and the right guidance, anything can be done.
To cut an iron pipe, you need to mark the location that you want to cut, clamp the pipe to avoid it falling down, and choose an appropriate cutting tool to get a clean, smooth cut. You should also equip yourself with relevant safety equipment in order to prevent any bodily harm.
Therefore, I have compiled a detailed general guide on how to cut iron pipes the proper way. Following this method will ensure that you end up with the optimum result when cutting iron pipes.
Step 1: Equip safety goggles, gloves, and hearing protection to protect your body in case of any slipup.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 3, 2022.
Step 2: Using a piece of chalk, draw a horizontal line where you want to make the cuts.
Step 3: If cutting the pipe will leave behind a long stretch of pipe unsupported, it’s useful to install pipe clamps on either side of the section which you want to cut.
Horizontal runs of the pipe need to be clamped every 4-5 feet, whereas the vertical runs need to be supported by a riser clamp at each floor level.
Do not cut a segment of iron pipe that is not supported. Cutting an unsupported pipe might collapse through to the floor, and can cause severe damage and pose safety threats.
Step 4: This step entails actually cutting the pipe, for which you can employ various tools, such as a grinder or a snap cutter.
Using A Snap Cutter
If you use a snap cutter, you need to wrap its chain around the circumference of the pipe and lock it with the ratcheting head. Once done, place the chain’s cutting wheels on the specified line, then use the tension adjuster to tighten the chain. Pump the ratchet arm until the pipe snaps, tightening the chain after each revolution.
Using A Grinder
An angle grinder with an abrasive metal-cutting blade is ideal for cutting many metals, such as bolts, angle iron, and rebar. A grinder is the most efficient tool you can use to cut iron and is not labor-intensive.
Step 1: Tighten your angle grinder’s disc using the ratchet tool. Then, use a piece of chalk to clearly mark the area of the iron pipe where you’ll be cutting.
Step 2: Next, utilize all the appropriate PPE gear to protect yourself from the flying sparks and avoid damaging your eyes and hands.
Step 3: Place the portion of cast iron piping on a workbench and hold it in place using a bench vice if available. You can also use pipe clamps to stabilize the pipe.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 3, 2022.
Step 4: Now, you can safely start cutting the pipe. You can easily cut the pipe if you apply some pressure on it after making a groove to weaken it.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 3, 2022.