A Complete Guide to Pipe Cutters

In order to understand how to use a pipe cutter, we must first cover how pipe cutting tools work.

In a nutshell, they contain a sharp wheel which cuts through the pipe as it rotates. The wheel can penetrate further through the material the more rotations it makes. The number of rotations needed to completely cut through the pipe will depend on various influencing factors such as the material, size, and thickness of the pipe, as well as the sharpness of the pipe cutter’s blade. It’s worth noting that beyond this top-level overview, different types of pipe cutters will work in slightly different ways. However, the above provides a quick and easy introduction to get you started and helps you learn the basics of how to cut a pipe.

So, how should you use a pipe cutter? The following steps will provide you with the guidance you need to use a pipe cutter safely.

Step 1: Mark the Cut Line

Measure the required pipe length accurately and mark the cut point around the pipe. If the pipe you will be working on is part of a plumbed-in system, make sure you have turned the water supply off before starting work.

Step 2: Position the Cutter

For adjustable pipe cutters, you will need to place the cutter around the pipe then adjust the tool to get the correct fit. If your cutter is non-adjustable, simply ensure it is gripping the pipe securely. Align the cutting wheel or blade square to the pipe at the marked line.

Step 3: Apply Gentle Pressure

For wheel-type cutters, tighten the adjustment knob lightly to bring the wheel into contact with the pipe. For ratchet or plier cutters, engage the tool around the pipe without forcing.

Step 4: Rotate or Ratchet

Rotate the tool to cut the pipe, taking care not to move the cutter as this could result in an uneven cut or damaged pipe. For ratchet-style tools, work the handle steadily. The wheel or blade scores deeper into the material with each pass. As mentioned, the exact number of rotations required to complete the cut will vary.

Step 5: Tighten Gradually

For wheel cutters, tighten the adjustment knob slightly after each full rotation. Gradual tightening prevents pipe crushing and maintains a clean cut path.

Step 6: Deburr and Clean

Once the task is finished and the pipe is cut, you may need to use a deburring tool to remove any sharp edges and ensure the cut edge of the pipe is smooth and clean. Chamfer the inside edge if required for fitting insertion.

Step 7: Clean and Store

In order to ensure your pipe cutter remains at its best, make sure to clean it thoroughly before returning it to storage after use.

Proper use of a pipe cutter in plumbing applications ensures leak-free joints and extends fitting life across copper, plastic, and steel installations.

Pipe material affects blade geometry, cutting wheel hardness, and tool design. Selecting a cutter matched to the material being cut improves cut quality, reduces tool wear, and lowers the risk of pipe damage during cutting. The sections below cover material-specific guidance for plastic, copper, steel, aluminum, and brass pipe cutter tools.

Best for: PVC, CPVC, PEX, and other plastic pipe and tubing commonly used in water supply, drainage, and irrigation systems.

Typical Uses and Applications: Cutting or slicing hard plastic pipes

Why dedicated plastic cutters: Ratchet and plier-style plastic pipe cutters feature sharp, flat blades that shear through the material cleanly without cracking or crushing when used correctly. The ratcheting action applies steady, controlled force across the cut, reducing the hand effort required for repetitive cuts.

Tip: Use steady, even pressure and ensure the blade remains sharp. A dull blade crushes rather than cuts, causing cracks that weaken the pipe and compromise joint integrity.

Best for: Copper tube commonly used in plumbing, HVAC refrigeration lines, and water distribution systems.

Typical Uses and Applications: Cutting thick copper pipes to the desired length

Why wheel cutters: Rotating cutting wheels produce clean, round cuts with minimal deformation of the pipe wall. The circular cutting action maintains the pipe's cross-sectional shape, ensuring proper seating into compression fittings, solder joints, and push-fit connectors. Wheel-style copper pipe cutters are the standard tube cutter for plumbing installations.

Tip: Tighten the cutting wheel gradually with each rotation around the pipe. Over-tightening in a single pass crushes the pipe, causing ovalizing and poor fitting alignment. Deburr the inside edge thoroughly before assembly to remove the raised lip created by the wheel, which can restrict flow and trap debris in plumbing systems.

Best for: Steel tube and pipe where wall thickness and material hardness require heavier-duty cutting tools than those used for copper or plastic.

Typical Uses and Applications: Suitable for cutting round metal pipes

Tooling note: Heavy-duty wheel cutters with hardened steel cutting wheels handle most steel tubing jobs. Thicker-walled pipe or larger diameters may require powered or hydraulic pipe cutters depending on the material grade and cutting environment.

Tip: Expect more physical effort when cutting steel pipe compared to softer materials. Allow the cutting wheel to work gradually through the material rather than forcing it. Deburr and finish the cut edge carefully, as steel produces sharper, more dangerous burrs than copper or plastic.

Best for: Aluminum tube and pipe where clean cuts prevent burr and deformation issues during assembly.

Typical Uses and Applications: Ideal for cutting or slicing soft metal pipes such as aluminum tubes and pipes

Tip: Use a cutter type appropriate for the aluminum tube wall thickness. Avoid over-tightening the cutting wheel or applying excessive force with ratchet-style cutters, as thin-walled aluminum tube can ovalize or collapse under uneven pressure. A square, burr-free cut improves fitting alignment and reduces air leaks in pneumatic systems.

Best for: Brass tubing and pipe used in specialty plumbing fittings, instrument tubing, and decorative installations.

Typical Uses and Applications: Brass cutters are suitable for brass and sometimes copper, but tool rating must match material

Tip: Choose a pipe cutter tool rated for the brass thickness and diameter you are working with. Brass is softer than steel but harder than copper, so cutter selection should match the material's cutting characteristics. Deburr cut ends thoroughly to ensure leak-free connections in threaded and compression fittings.

Many different types of pipe cutters are available, so it's important that you select the most suitable tool for your task. Using the right pipe cutter will make the job at hand much quicker and easier; selecting the best tool based on the cutting mechanism, material compatibility, and working environment improves cut quality and reduces installation time. Manual wheel cutters suit copper and steel; ratchet and plier cutters handle plastic efficiently; and specialist designs address confined spaces or specific materials.

Please see the following table to learn more about some of the most common types of pipe cutters, along with their uses and benefits:

Pipe Cutter Uses: Used for cutting pipes

Pipe Cutter Benefits: Highly efficient, compact and easy to use

Automatic pipe cutters feature compact, self-engaging designs that require minimal rotation space, making them useful in tight installations where a full-size wheel cutter cannot swing freely around the pipe. The cutting mechanism engages automatically as the tool

Pipe Cutter Uses: Used for cutting ductwork and ventilation pipes

Pipe Cutter Benefits: Clean, robust and easy to use

Duct pipe cutters are designed for thin-walled ducting and ventilation tube materials, including galvanized steel, aluminum, and flexible duct. Blade geometry and cutting force are optimized for thin materials that would deform under the pressure of a standard wheel cutter.

Pipe Cutter Uses: Ideal for cutting rubber hose

Pipe Cutter Benefits: Compact, lightweight and versatile

Hose cutters feature sharp blades that slice cleanly through flexible rubber and plastic hoses without crushing or tearing the hose wall. A square, clean cut prevents leaks and improves clamp fit, producing a cut end that seats properly into barbed fittings and hose clamps.

Pipe Cutter Uses: Midi tube cutter

Pipe Cutter Benefits: Compact and adjustable

Pipe Cutter Uses: Used for cutting piping

Pipe Cutter Benefits: Robust, durable and offers minimal risk of crushing or deforming the pipe

Plier-action pipe cutters feature scissor-like handles and a sharp cutting blade, delivering quick cuts on plastic tubing with minimal hand effort. The plier design suits repetitive cutting jobs where speed and convenience matter. Widely used in irrigation, water supply, and PEX installations.

Pipe Cutter Uses: Suited for cutting pipes

Pipe Cutter Benefits: Features ratchet action to enable power and precision to be applied accurately and efficiently

Ratchet pipe cutters use a ratcheting mechanism to apply controlled, incremental cutting force with each squeeze of the handle. The ratchet action reduces hand strain and delivers more consistent force across the cut than plier-style cutters, producing cleaner cuts on plastic pipes with less risk of crushing or cracking.

Ratchet pipe cutters are one of the most common varieties of this type of tool. Their design includes a ratchet handle attached to a wheel-shaped head, allowing for adjustments to be made so the tool can fit pipes of different sizes. Ratchet pipe cutters are ideal for working in-situ in small, confined, or difficult to reach areas.

Pipe Cutter Uses: Ideal for cutting pipes of different sizes

Pipe Cutter Benefits: Versatile, adjustable and highly precise

Spring-loaded pipe cutters incorporate a spring mechanism that maintains steady cutting pressure on the pipe throughout the cut. The spring helps keep the cutting wheel or blade engaged without constant manual adjustment, which is particularly useful for repetitive cutting tasks and improves cut consistency when working through multiple pipes in succession.