A square, clean cut is the first step to a leak-free PVC or CPVC joint. A square cut gives the maximum bonding surface and lets the pipe seat fully against the bottom of the fitting socket. Always use tools designed for plastic pipe, since tools made for metal pipe can damage it.
What Is the Best Way to Cut PVC Pipe?
The best way to cut PVC pipe is with a tubing cutter fitted with a plastic cutting wheel, or a fine-toothed saw designed for plastic pipe, used in a miter box or as a power miter saw. Then deburr and chamfer the pipe end before joining.
Choose the Right Cutting Tool
- Tubing cutter with a plastic cutting wheel. Gives clean, square cuts with very little burr. Our Quick Release tubing cutters come in 3/8 to 3-1/2 in. and 4 to 6-5/8 in. sizes and take plastic cutter wheels. Wheel cutters can leave a slightly raised edge on the outside of the pipe, which must be removed.
- Plastic pipe saw. PVC is abrasive and dulls wood saws quickly, so use a saw designed for plastic pipe. Use a miter box to keep the cut square. Our plastic pipe saw comes in 11 in. and 16-1/4 in. lengths and cuts PVC, CPVC and ABS.
- Power miter (chop) saw. Use a fine-toothed blade designed for plastic pipe. For CPVC, a blade with 16 to 18 teeth per inch is recommended.
- Avoid ratchet cutters on PVC and CPVC. Ratchet cutters squeeze the pipe, which can crack PVC and CPVC, especially below 50°F. The ratchet shears we carry are made for PE, PP, PEX and ABS pipe. Reed does not recommend them for PVC or CPVC solvent cement joints because hairline fractures may occur.
How to Cut PVC Pipe Straight
- Measure and mark the cut.
- Cut with a tubing cutter, or with a saw in a miter box to keep the cut square.
- Check the cut end for cracks. If you find one, cut off at least 2 in. beyond the visible crack.
Deburr and Chamfer the Pipe End
- Remove burrs and filings from the inside and outside of the pipe, including any raised edge left by a wheel cutter. Burrs can prevent proper contact between the pipe and fitting.
- For solvent cement joints, bevel the outside edge 1/16 to 3/32 in. at 10 to 15 degrees. The bevel eases the pipe into the socket and keeps it from wiping cement off the fitting.
Deburring and Chamfering Tools
- DEB1: deburrs and chamfers in one rotation.
- DEB2: cone design for pipe through 2 in.
- DEB4: 15 degree external chamfer on pipe through 4 in.
- BT2: pipe beveler for larger pipe, including gasketed and C900 PVC.
Cutting Large-Diameter PVC Pipe
Above the range of a tubing cutter, use the 16-1/4 in. plastic pipe saw or a power saw with a fine-toothed blade designed for plastic pipe. The BT2 beveler produces a 15 degree bevel, and depending on wall thickness, the bevel can be up to 1-1/2 in. long.
Cutting PVC and CPVC in Cold Weather
Plastic pipe becomes more brittle in the cold. Handle pipe carefully to avoid impact damage, use a sharp, fine-toothed blade or a plastic cutting wheel, and check every cut end for cracks.
Cutting CPVC Pipe
CPVC is cut, deburred and chamfered the same way as PVC, with the same tools. Make sure blades are sharp. A dull or broken blade increases the risk of a rough or cracked cut.
Common Mistakes When Cutting PVC Pipe
- Using a wood saw or tools made for metal pipe
- Using a dull or broken blade
- Cutting at an angle, which reduces the bonding surface
- Leaving burrs or the raised edge from a wheel cutter
- Skipping the chamfer on solvent cement joints
- Using ratchet cutters on PVC or CPVC
- Not checking the cut end for cracks
Next Step: Joining the Pipe
Once the pipe is cut and prepared, see How to Glue PVC Pipe for solvent cement joints, or How to Seal PVC, CPVC and PP Threads for threaded connections.
Shop Pipe Cutting Tools
Not sure which tool fits your pipe? Contact us.