How to Cut Galvanized Pipe

Galvanized pipe is steel pipe that is coated in zinc, which minimizes rust and corrosion inside the pipe. It is very strong and has historically been used for running water in homes. Whether you are installing new galvanized pipe or removing old pipes, if you need to cut galvanized pipe you will need the right type of tool to cut through it. If you can pick the right tool for your application, and use it correctly, you should be able to cut through the pipe quickly and easily. [1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Tube Cutting Tool

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  1. Making a precise cut is important when installing new galvanized pipe. For example, if you are planning on threading your pipe , you need to take the length required for adding threads to the ends of the pipe into consideration when marking your cuts.
    • Being precise with your cuts is less important when removing old galvanized pipe. If you are removing pipe and you don't plan on reusing it, just cut wherever it makes removal of that pipe the easiest.
  2. 2
    Choose to use a tube cutting tool when cutting new or old pipe. Tube cutters are often used by plumbers for cutting copper and steel pipe they are installing or removing. Tube cutters come in a variety of sizes. Each cutter will typically cut a range of sizes. However, if you need to cut both very small and very large galvanized pipe, then you may need several tube cutters.
    • These are specialized tools that are only designed to cut a pipe, so if you buy one you won't be using it for any other purpose.
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  3. Tube cutters typically have two rollers and a cutting wheel. These three points are rotated around the pipe by turning the handle on the tool. After every few rotations, the tool is tightened so that the cutting wheel cuts deeper into the pipe. [2]
    • While a tube cutter is a hand tool with no motor, it is easy to use and much more efficient than other hand tools used to cut pipes.
  4. When you cut galvanized pipe with a pipe cutter a burr of steel will be created on the inside edge of the pipe. To get rid of this, you can file the entire inside edge with a rounded file or you can also use a specialized tool that is made to remove these burrs, which is called a reamer. [3]
    • Pipe reamers are available at most home improvement and hardware stores.
    • Alternatively, you can use coarse sandpaper to remove burrs.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Reciprocating Saw or Angle Grinder

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  1. There are several power tools that are great for cutting galvanized pipe that is located in tight spaces. If you are trying to remove a piece of galvanized pipe from a tight space, you can either use a reciprocating saw or angle grinder, depending on the space you are working in and the tool you have available. [4]
    • The choice between using an angle grinder and a reciprocating saw depends largely on what you have available. They can typically be used interchangeably.
  2. When cutting through steel pipe with a power tool it is important to protect yourself from hazards. Put on safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying pieces of steel. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the heat of the pipe (produced by the grinder) in addition to a slipping saw blade or sharp pipe edge. [5]
    • An additional piece of protective equipment you may want to consider using is ear plugs. These can protect your ears from loud noises made during sawing.
    • It is also a good idea to wear long sleeves and long pants to protect your skin from any bits of metal that might fly around while cutting.
  3. When cutting a round piece of pipe, it's a good idea to mark the correct length around the whole circumference of the pipe. This will allow you to keep your cut straight as you go.
    • To mark the whole circumference, mark your measurement at several points around the pipe. Then you can connect the marks to make a solid marking around the whole pipe.
    • Marking the entire circumference of the pipe is especially important when using a saw or angle grinder to cut your pipe. It will allow you to keep your cuts straight. Other types of cutting, such as using a tube cutter, will inherently keep the cut straight.
  4. 4
    Make sure that the saw or grinder has a metal cutting blade or wheel on it. When cutting galvanized pipe it is important to use the right kind of blade of wheel. A blade for cutting a different material, such as wood, will not work well for cutting through galvanized pipe. [6]
    • Blades that are made to cut through metal tend to have smaller tines than blades made to cut wood.
  5. When you go in to start cutting, the blade of your power saw or grinder should not be touching the surface of the pipe. If it is, the blade or cutting disc can snag on the pipe and make controlling the tool difficult. It can also damage your cutting disc or blade. [7]
    • Instead, hold the blade or disc just slightly off the surface and turn on the tool. This will allow the tool to come up to speed before contacting the surface it is cutting.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Hacksaw

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  1. In order to cut a pipe successfully with a hacksaw, you need to secure it so it doesn't move while it is being cut. This can be done by having someone else hold it, by placing it in a vise, or by clamping it to a workbench.
    • If you are cutting a piece of galvanized pipe that is already installed, such as when removing old galvanized water pipes, you still need to make sure that the pipe is secure. Make sure it is strapped down or held tightly before cutting so that it doesn't shake uncontrollably when being cut.
  2. If you are cutting a long piece of new pipe, you should have the longer end supported. This will make holding the pipe still while you are cutting it easier and it will stop the pipe pieces from falling once the pipe is cut. Wrap a pipe strap around the pipe and screw the other end into a secure overhead joist or beam.
    • For example, if you are cutting a short piece off the end of a long pipe you will need to support the longer end while you make the cut.
  3. If you do not have a motorized saw and you need to cut a piece of galvanized pipe, you can use a hacksaw. This tool will take a bit of time and effort to use, but it will get the job done eventually.
    • A hack saw works better for cutting steel than other types of hand saws because it typically has small teeth that are designed for cutting metal. These teeth can gradually remove the hard steel as you push and pull them. A hand saw with large teeth designed for cutting wood would not work well for cutting galvanized pipe.
  4. When cutting through galvanized pipe with a saw or grinder you should let the tool do the work. There is no need to apply a ton of pressure, as this can hurt your hands and use up a lot of energy needlessly. Instead, be patient and let the tool gradually cut through the steel. [8]
    • Using too much pressure can also create a dangerous situation once you have cut through the pipe with a saw. With moderate pressure, you have control over the saw and you can avoid letting it slip or fall when the cut is done. If you are pushing too hard, the saw could continue moving and cut into something else.
  5. 5
    File the cut edge. Once the pipe is cut you will need to clean up the cut. When cutting with a hacksaw you will leave a lot of burrs of metal on the pipe. Get rid of them by using a metal file around the cut, making extra sure to clean up burrs that have developed on the inside edge of the cut.
    • You can also use a reamer or coarse sandpaper to clean up the burrs on the edge of the cut.
    EXPERT TIP

    Greg Jeiranyan

    Licensed Plumber
    Greg Jeiranyan is a Licensed Plumber based in Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of professional experience, Greg and his team specialize in residential and commercial plumbing service calls. His company, Plumbing Geeks, is rated 5 stars on Yelp and is a family-owned and operated plumbing company. Plumbing Geeks has been serving Los Angeles and its surrounding areas since 2021.
    Greg Jeiranyan
    Licensed Plumber

    Use couplings or unions to prevent corrosion when replacing galvanized pipe. When replacing galvanized pipe sections, either use a G-coupling for direct connections or a dielectric union for connecting to copper to prevent corrosion. You may need to upsize the copper for proper fitting. Or use a coupling with a brass nipple to separate copper from galvanized to reduce corrosion. These techniques maintain and extend the life of older plumbing.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I connect galvanized pipes and copper together?
    Greg Jeiranyan
    Licensed Plumber
    Greg Jeiranyan is a Licensed Plumber based in Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of professional experience, Greg and his team specialize in residential and commercial plumbing service calls. His company, Plumbing Geeks, is rated 5 stars on Yelp and is a family-owned and operated plumbing company. Plumbing Geeks has been serving Los Angeles and its surrounding areas since 2021.
    Greg Jeiranyan
    Licensed Plumber
    Expert Answer
    You can use a dielectric union. The dielectric union is essentially a fitting that doesn't let galvanized pipe and copper meet together. A straight connection between galvanized pipe and copper causes a chemical reaction, and that chemical reaction can cause damage to the copper pipe or the galvanized pipe. If you put a dielectric union on, you just need some threads and a male adapter on the copper ends. You tie in both sides on each side, and you tie in the union. And that’s a clean connection. Another way of doing it is again, if you have threads on the galvanized pipe, you can put a coupling on there and then put a six-inch brass knuckle. This will also delay or stop the direct reaction between galvanized pipe and copper. After you put the brass knuckles on, you can continue on the copper.
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    Why should I apply pressure gradually when using a pipe cutter?
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    The cutter turns easily if pressure is applied gradually. Apply pressure too quickly and the cutter will not turn; the cutter edge may even be damaged by the pressure. As the cutter goes around each time it deepens the cut, making space for the next level of pressure to work smoothly.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Tube cutter
      • Reciprocating saw
      • Angle grinder
      • Hack saw
      • Vise or bench clamp
      • Metal file or reamer or coarse sandpaper

      Tips

      • If you need to replace a section of galvanized pipe, unscrew it at the joints. Go to the hardware store and have a new piece cut and threaded to the proper length. Then, screw the new piece in where the old section came out.
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      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about plumbing, check out our in-depth interview with Greg Jeiranyan .

      References

      1. ↑ http://americanvintagehome.com/advice-for-older-homes/need-swap-galvanized-pipes/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kE9SOFq4Dc
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kE9SOFq4Dc
      4. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/power-tools/how-to-use-an-angle-grinder/view-all/
      5. ↑ https://www.grainger.com/know-how/safety-health
      6. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/saws/reciprocating-saw-uses/view-all/
      7. ↑ https://www.ryobitools.com/tools101/guide/reciprocating-saws?page=3
      8. ↑ https://www.ryobitools.com/tools101/guide/reciprocating-saws?page=3

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To cut galvanized pipe, use either a tube-cutting tool, a reciprocating saw, or a hacksaw. To use a tube-cutting tool, you’ll secure the vice-like tool around the pipe, then tighten it until it cuts through the pipe. Once you cut it, you’ll need to use a rounded file to sand down any burrs. If you’re working with a pipe in a tight space, you’ll want to use a reciprocating saw. Before you make the cut, make a mark on the pipe where you want to saw. Then, turn on the saw, and carefully move the blade through the pipe. If you don’t want to use special equipment, you can also use a hacksaw to cut a pipe. Simply line up the saw where you want to cut and use gentle pressure to saw through, since using too much pressure can be dangerous. To learn how to use an angle grinder to cut a galvanized pipe, read on!

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      • Biil Henderson

        Mar 11, 2018

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