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Mastered in a Minute

How to Cut Copper Pipe

Make clean cuts in copper pipe using a pipe cutter and then ream the inside of the cut edge for smooth water flow.

By Official Fine Homebuilding Post

Using a pipe cutter to make clean, square cuts that slide right into fittings is a basic plumbing skill. After cutting the pipe, it’s also important to ream the inside of the cut edge to remove burrs that interfere with water flow, and any loose bits of copper that could eventually get washed downstream and clog a fixture.

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  1. User avater
    kwhit190211 | Nov 23, 2015 07:44pm | #1

    For one thing, it's not copper pipe. It's copper tubing, there's a difference between copper pipe & tubing. Just like there is between tools, It's a tubing cutter, because if it was a pipe cutter it would be much bigger & heavier. Get the terminology correct, please.

  2. old_house_guy | Nov 29, 2015 12:49pm | #2

    Don't the editors (if they exist any more) realize that articles like these diminish the value of the Fine Homebuilding brand?

    If someone doesn't know how to cut & join tubing & pipe (and the difference) they shouldn't even be reading this.

  3. jamminjamy | Sep 28, 2018 10:28am | #3

    Thanks for the post.
    That is a good tool. I used a sawzall for rough and quick cutting of copper to take to the salvage yard/recycling center.... I made this video here of me doing it. Hope it helps any of your readers trying to do the same: https://youtu.be/qL9u2j8tnz4
    Thanks again!
    Jamy

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