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How To Cut PVC Pipe Straight And Smoothly

To cut PVC pipe, all you need is one of the many tools for the job. PVC pipes are one of those things that provide many uses for anyone willing to give them a chance. They can be used for practical and recreational projects.

how to cut pvc pipe

But many people refuse to use them, even if they know how to, simply because they are difficult to cut. The truth is that if you have the right tool, PVC pipe is as easy to cut as a plastic straw with scissors! 

What Are PVC Pipes?

PVC pipes are pipes made of polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic made to last. They are used for water and plumbing pipes and have replaced copper, lead, and steel pipes almost entirely due to their affordability. 

They come in many sizes and shapes. You can create a masterpiece in the plumbing closet or with an amazing PVC project with nothing but PVC pipe. Start working with it and you just might never stop.

What Can You Use Cut PVC Pipe For?

What Can You Use PVC Pipes For

PVC pipes can be used for a variety of things. Although they were designed to be used for plumbing purposes, as discussed above, there are many more uses for them than you may think. Let’s take a look at some of these uses. 

Plumbing

Okay, we have to get this one out of the way. PVC pipe is resistant to mold, doesn’t attract insects, and rarely gets damaged. So it is the primary plumbing pipe uses in almost every country in the 21st century. 

Animal Feeders

You can use PVC pipes for animal feeders in many different ways. Though the primary way is to create an automatic feeder that has the entire feed supply in a large PVC pipe and a tiny elbow at the bottom. 

Organizers 

Cut up some large PVC pipes and you can organize any drawer or shelf. Glue them together or let them sit loose. Organizing is an important part of a minimalist lifestyle so if you are a minimalist, you know about this one. 

Gardening

Did you know that you can create towers that grow plants with PVC pipes? You can also use cut PVC pipes as planters but a perforated. You plant the tall plant at the bottom or use another smaller pipe with seeds attached to it.

Furniture

Come on. Chairs, shelves, tables! You can make any simple structure out of PVC pipe. For best results, you’ll have to add another material to create a full piece of furniture. But for the most part, PVC pipe will do.

Anything Else!

There’s hardly a limit to what you can create with PVC pipes. You can create easy soccer goals, French drains, and even lighting. The sky and your creativity are the limits, as I always say. Try turning something unique into a PVC creation. 

How To Cut PVC Pipe With A PVC Cutter

How To Cut PVC Pipe With A PVC Cutter

A PVC cutter is probably the easiest tool to use to cut a PVC pipe. But of course, it was made to be used to cut a PVC pipe. To use a PVC cutter to cut the pipe, you just need to steady the pipe and clip it.

It is important to mark the pipe before you cut it. You want the bottom of the cutter to align with the top and marking it is the best way to do this. You can use a rubber band to help you create an even mark. 

How To Cut PVC Pipe With A Handsaw

How To Cut PVC Pipe With A Handsaw

Cutting PVC pipe with a handsaw is the cheapest way to cut PVC pipe. It may not be the easiest because you will need a bit of strength and a steady hand. Again, make sure that you mark before you cut.

Then, you can slowly and steadily cut the pipe. A clamp or something similar may help keep the pipe steady. But your steady hand will make the biggest difference. Start a little longer than you need to your first time. 

How To Cut PVC Pipe With A Miter Saw

How To Cut PVC Pipe With A Miter Saw

A miter saw is a middle ground for cutting PVC pipe. It is fairly easy to use but it isn’t made for the purpose of cutting PVC pipe. Plus, a lot of people have a miter saw lying around and not the other two cutting tools.

You can use either a full miter saw or a mini miter saw to cut your PVC pipe. If you are cutting it when it is attached to something else, you’ll need a mini one. Otherwise, a full-sized one will give a straighter cut. 

PVC Project: PVC Magazine Holder

There are many projects you can make with PVC pipe and nothing more. But this magazine holder shows you just what a PVC pipe can do and how easy it can be to create a project that you will actually use. 

PVC Magazine Holder

For this project, you will need 6 pipes that are 35cm, 2 that are 25cm, and 8 elbows. You will also need fabric of some sort for the magazine holder. Get plenty of fabric because doubling it up will give it extra strength. 

 

Step 1: Sand The PVC Pipes before cutting

Sanding the pipes is primarily done to remove the stamps on the pipes. But it is also important to sand the ends so that the elbows stay secure when attached to the pipes. This works well when gluing too. 

Step 2: Attach The Elbows

The elbows will need to be attached to either side of the short pipes. They will also need to be attached to two of the long pipes. There are other ways to do it, but this will be the easiest way to keep track of what you’re doing.

Step 3: Assemble

Now, place the short pipes on the table with the elbows facing up. Then, attach the two short pipes to four long ones. after that, add the two elbowed long pipes to the top. This is the end of the assembly. 

Step 4: Paint

You can use any kind of paint you want for this but it is best to use spray paint. Spray paint covers well and is wonderful for PVC pipe. So choose your color that will match the fabric you choose for the holder. 

Step 5: Add The Fabric

You can use fabric glue to glue the fabric to itself by creating a large loop. You may need to watch the video to understand how this part is done. It involves laying the PVC pipe assembly on the fabric, gluing, then flipping it over. 

All Done

Now you are done. You can use this simple and adorable magazine holder for almost anything. Cats love it! You can add sides to create a tiny hamper if you like to. This is a great base for almost any purpose. 

Best Tools You Can Buy To Cut PVC Pipe

There are quite a few tools you can use to cut your PVC pipe. Heck, some people even use a utility knife to cut the PVC pipe while others will use a skill saw, which is very difficult to use to get a straight cut. 

That’s why we have gathered the best tools for cutting PVC pipes. You can buy them all on Amazon too, so we have left links to where you can buy these PVC pipe cutting tools for a great price. They will come in handy later! 

Best Miter Saw: DEWALT Miter Saw

Although Metabo has a great option for miter saws that is cheaper than this one, DEWALT’S miter saw is a favorite amongst saw enthusiasts. You can get it for a decent price up-front or pay payments for an incredible price.

The best thing about getting a miter saw is that it works well for almost any purpose. You can use it in any area of construction. Some say if you only get one cutting tool, get the universal miter saw and you can’t lose. 

Best Mini Saw: DEWALT Atomic Mini Saw

A mini saw is also called a circular hand saw. But don’t get this confused with a mini chainsaw. Chainsaws aren’t great for cutting PVC pipes and may end up making a mess. You need something with a thin blade. 

Again, one of your best options is a DEWALT saw. The DEWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX Circular Saw has a four-and-a-half-inch blade. It is super easy to use and can cut almost anything under a couple of inches wide. 

Best PVC Cutter: Zantlea Pipe And Tube Cutter

This will definitely be one of your cheapest options. You can get this PVC cutter for under $15 if you don’t care what color you get. It is a great option and is definitely the quickest. One clip and the pipe is cut. 

This cutter comes in four colors and three sizes, so you can get one that is customized to your needs. It is nice to have one of these around for cutting all sorts of things from wires to branches to other types of pipes. 

Best Handsaw: CRAFTSMAN Hand Saw

Hack saws with n opening are probably the best for cutting PVC pipe. That’s why this option from CRAFTSMAN is such a good choice. It is cheap, useful any day of the week, and it looks amazing in your shed. 

You can use almost any type of handsaw to cut PVC pipe but this CRAFTSMAN option is just too good of a deal to pass up. Ask anyone who has a handsaw if they regret keeping one around and they will tell you no.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Can You Cut PVC Pipe With A Sawzall?

Yes. You can use a Sawzall to cut PVC pipe. The best blade for cutting PVC pipe with a Sawzall is a wood and metal blade with a 10/14 TPI configuration. This will get the job done in the most efficient way.

Can You Cut PVC Pipe Lengthwise?

It is not easy to cut pipe lengthwise. But it is possible. To cut PVC pipe lengthwise, clamp the pipe down. Then, mark it with a chalk line. When you are ready to cut it, use a rotary cutting tool to get the job done.

Can You Cut PVC Pipe In Small Spaces?

Doing construction work is difficult in a small space. But if you have the right tools and wear the right equipment, it can be done. So don your gear and use tools like a circular saw that doesn’t require movement. 

How Do You Cut Holes In A PVC Pipe?

To cut holes in a PVC pipe, you need to hold the pipe still. After the pipe is secure, drill holes in it with a drill. Be careful not to drill all the way through both sides of the pipe unless this is your intention.