About Pipe, Tubing, and Conduit Cutters
Ratchet cutters, pipe cutters, and conduit cutters are all similar. Ratchet cutters are a bit different in that they are like scissors used to cut pipe or PVC conduit. The other two are wheel cutters and are almost exactly the same, whether pipe or conduit. The difference is only the wheel (blade).
Pipe Cutters
Purpose: Primarily used for cutting metal and plastic pipes.
Design: Pipe cutters typically feature a sharp cutting wheel tightened around the pipe and then rotated to score and cut through it.
Operation: The tool is clamped around the pipe and rotated around it. The cutting wheel is gradually tightened to make a clean cut through the pipe.
Applications: These knives are ideal for cutting copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic pipes. They provide a clean, burr-free cut, which is especially important for plumbing and HVAC work.
Ratchet Cutters
Purpose: Used for cutting plastic pipes and tubing, such as PVC, CPVC, PEX, and polyethylene.
Design: Ratchet cutters have a ratcheting mechanism that allows the user to apply consistent pressure with minimal effort. The cutting blade moves incrementally with each squeeze of the handles.
Operation: The user squeezes the handles repeatedly, and the ratchet mechanism advances the blade through the pipe in small increments. This allows for precise and easy cutting, even for thicker materials.
Applications: They are suitable for cutting plastic pipes used in plumbing, irrigation, and electrical conduit work. They are particularly useful for cutting larger diameter pipes where precision and ease of use are essential.
Conduit Cutters
Purpose: Designed specifically for cutting electrical conduits, such as EMT (electrical metallic tubing) and rigid conduit.
Design: Like pipe cutters, conduit cutters feature a wheel that scores and cuts through the metal conduit.
Operation: The conduit cutter is clamped onto the conduit and rotated around it, with the cutting wheel tightened gradually to cut through the metal.
Applications: Electricians use them to cut metal conduits to length, ensuring clean, straight cuts essential for securely fitting conduit sections.
Key Differences
- Material Compatibility:
- Pipe Cutters: Primarily for metal and plastic pipes.
- Ratchet Cutters: Best for plastic pipes and tubing.
- Conduit Cutters: These are specifically for metal conduits used in electrical applications.
- Mechanism:
- Pipe Cutters: Use a rotary cutting wheel.
- Ratchet Cutters: Use a ratcheting mechanism for incremental cutting.
- Conduit Cutters: Similar to pipe cutters but optimized for cutting metal conduit.
- Applications:
- Pipe Cutters: Plumbing, HVAC.
- Ratchet Cutters: Plumbing, irrigation, electrical conduits.
- Conduit Cutters: Electrical work.
No matter the cutting tools needed for your project, we have you covered.
