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Methods of Cutting Cast Iron Soil Pipe
Cast Iron Soil Pipe & Fittings Handbook Chapter 2
January 1, 1900
HousingZone
There are several methods of successfully cutting cast iron soil pipe. These methods may be placed into two basic categories; those that require external power for their operation and those methods that require only hand operation. Methods that require external power are usually used for prefabrication work or high volume cutting operations. Examples of this type of equipment would be (1) the abrasive saw (chop saw) (2) power hack saw and (3) an electrically actuated hydraulic snap cutter. Before using electrical equipment of this nature, the manufacturer’s operating instructions should be carefully reviewed for safe use of the equipment.
There are two hand operated cutting tools that are used in the industry today (1) The standard steel pipe cutter using cutting wheels specifically designed to cut cast iron soil pipe and (2) the snap cutter. The snap cutter accounts for the majority of all cuts made on cast iron soil pipe in the field. There are several types of snap cutter available, the following procedure has been found to produce consistently good cuts:
1) After marking the pipe length to be cut, position the chain cutter squarely around the pipe to assure a straight cut. The maximum number of wheels possible should be in contact with the pipe.
2) Score the pipe by applying pressure on the handles to make the cutter wheels indent the pipe.
3) Rotate the pipe a few degrees and then apply quick final pressure to complete the cut. If a piece of pipe is unusually tough, score the pipe several times before making your final cut. Scoring the pipe before the actual cut is the key to a clean straight cut.
Cast iron soil pipe may also be cut with a hammer and a cold chisel. This method of cutting is very time consuming and should only be used if snap cutters are not available. Again, protective equipment, such as safety goggles, should be used. The procedure for cutting soil pipe with a hammer and chisel are as follows:
) Measure the length to be cut and mark the cut line completely around the circumference of the pipe.
2) Place the mark to be cut on a 2 x 4 so the edge of the 2 x 4 is directly under the mark.
3) By striking the chisel with the hammer, cut a groove following your mark all the way around the circumference of the pipe.
4) Continue cutting as outlined above in (3) until the pipe is cut. This procedure may take several revolutions of the pipe before it is cut.
Installers should be aware of safety considerations, including the need to use protective equipment, such as safety goggles, when cutting cast iron soil pipe.
See more of the Cast Iron Soil Pipe & Fittings Handbook
© 2010, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.
