How To Cut A Cast Iron Pipe. Cast iron pipes used to be one of the most popular materials for household pipe installs, but this material was phased out in favor of newer piping systems like PVC.
If you are working on a newer project which involves the installation or replacement of these older systems, it’s important to know how to go about cutting cast iron so that your finished project comes out looking just as great as you’d hoped it would.
How To Cut A Cast Iron Pipe
We will discuss how to cut a cast iron pipe here.
Using Dremel
Dremel is a brand of rotary tools, used for carving or grinding various materials. A Dremel cutting tool is a tiny carver with a concentric blade wrapped in a copper coil.
When electricity passes through the copper wire, it generates intense heat which causes the cutter to spin quickly and be sharpened at its edges.
The material being cut melts away as it contacts the spinning carbide bit. Now to cut cast iron pipe, you’ll need a 1/8″ Dremel tungsten carbon bit, which is specifically designed for the purpose of cutting cast iron pipe.
Using Hacksaws
If you own a hacksaw, you can use it to cut your cast iron pipes. However, you must be careful as this tool requires a lot of energy and effort to operate.
In addition, it will take at least several hours to complete the job if you have multiple pipes slated for removal from your home’s plumbing system.
All things considered, unless you’re in good health and have plenty of time available to devote towards cutting pipes out of your home’s plumbing system with a hacksaw remember that there are other options that might impact your budget less negatively and make the project less stressful overall.
Using Oscillating Tool
Oscillating tools can be used to cut a variety of pipes, metals, tiles, and other materials. However, the most critical factor to consider is which blades are appropriate for the task.
Depending on the material to be entirely sliced, you may pick which type of blade to use. When it comes to cutting, oscillation instruments with a large angle emit greater speed.
Shorter strokes across blades are easier to use and manage, yet they still cut flawlessly.
This gadget oscillates in two directions from left to right and at a 3-degree angle up and down. This tool produces a small arc of vibration that keeps dust from blowing around while in use.
Using Snap Cutter
If you have several cuts to make, renting a snap cutter is definitely worth the money, especially if the work is modest. When working with cast iron pipes, plumbers exclusively utilize this procedure.
A snap cutter, despite its name, does not so much “cut” as “break” the pipe at the given position. A snap cutter is made up of a ratchet and a piece of roller chain.
Place the chain around the pipe so that it is evenly compressed. The wheels embedded in the chain will bite into the cast iron until it snaps as the pressure grows. The fastest way to cut cast iron pipe is with a snap cutter, which nearly always produces a smooth cut.
FAQs
How should I cut the cast iron pipe with the best blade?
When cutting cast iron pipe, it’s best to use a saw with at least 12 teeth per inch (TPI), and a blade that is carbide-tipped.
The blade should have 8 TPI spacing. As I have pointed out above, Diablo makes the best blades for cutting out cast-iron pipes.
Is it possible to cut cast iron with a torch?
While cutting cast iron using an angle grinder is a really smart way to go about it, there are other much better options available like a plasma cutter! If you have access to any of the following three tools mentioned above, that’s definitely the way to go.
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