Can I safely cut 1" galvanized pipe with the std blade?
Moderator: crzypete
Can I safely cut 1" galvanized pipe with the std blade?
It's been a while since I visited here. Does anybody know if I can safely cut 1" galvanized pipe with the standard blade that comes with the BGR-78 (see pics in previous post)? Is galv. iron considered a 'soft' metal?
Last edited by hmj6jmh on Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Welcome back.
That would definitely be a ferrous metal and I would not cut that with your saw- the speed is way way too fast.
If it is emt, I would use a standard pipe cutter. Regular pipe, a hacksaw or sawsall or abrasive cut-off saw.
Pete
That would definitely be a ferrous metal and I would not cut that with your saw- the speed is way way too fast.
If it is emt, I would use a standard pipe cutter. Regular pipe, a hacksaw or sawsall or abrasive cut-off saw.
Pete
Last edited by crzypete on Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
OK Pete. So it is the speed that is a problem and not the blade itself. This pipe is standard galvanized "iron" pipe from Home Despot. I did try a hacksaw but the unsquare rough cut was miserable. I don't think a pipe cutter designed for mostly copper would work do you? I'll have to invest in the carbide blade for my miter saw. It would come in handy. Thanks.
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Toolslinger
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- Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:54 pm
Do not try cutting steel pipe with a carbide blade... That's a good way to get hurt...
They do in fact make carbide tipped blades to cut steel, but they are for specific saws, not the average miter saw...
You could mount an abrasive blade on a regular saw to make the cut, but that's a major mess. I've done it, but its the absolute last choice... You could also pick up an abrasive cutoff saw from Home Depot or the like for less than $100...
The best choice for cutting pipe is a pipe cutter, similar to a tubing cutter, just built bigger and heavier.
Good luck, and stay safe...
They do in fact make carbide tipped blades to cut steel, but they are for specific saws, not the average miter saw...
You could mount an abrasive blade on a regular saw to make the cut, but that's a major mess. I've done it, but its the absolute last choice... You could also pick up an abrasive cutoff saw from Home Depot or the like for less than $100...
The best choice for cutting pipe is a pipe cutter, similar to a tubing cutter, just built bigger and heavier.
Good luck, and stay safe...
Tim - Trying to want more and store less...
Yeah, I have now read in several forums and in the saw's manual NOT to use abrasive wheels or cut ferrous metals.Do not try cutting steel pipe with a carbide blade... That's a good way to get hurt...
I forgot that I bought a 3" High Speed Air Cutter on sale at HF about a year ago. I've never used it but it seems it would work.
I guess mine was just a tubing cutter because I tried it and got almost to the end but after tightening it with a wrench, it eventually just sheared itself in half.The best choice for cutting pipe is a pipe cutter, similar to a tubing cutter, just built bigger and heavier.
At $145 for a pipe cutter at Home Despot I'll just try the air cutter. Thanks for the heads up.EMT is thin wall electrical conduit which cuts great with a standard pipe cutter. No need for a wrench on the handle.
A good hacksaw like a high tension starrett with bimetal blade would make quick work of a couple of cuts, but if you have a bunch of cuts to make you should go looking for power alternatives.
A cutoff wheel on an angle grinder would be one option. Tim covered a bunch of others.
Good luck.
Pete
A good hacksaw like a high tension starrett with bimetal blade would make quick work of a couple of cuts, but if you have a bunch of cuts to make you should go looking for power alternatives.
A cutoff wheel on an angle grinder would be one option. Tim covered a bunch of others.
Good luck.
Pete
This is not EMT. It is 1/8" thick pipe. As for the hacksaw route, it took many many cuts and was unsquare and rough. I will try the air cutter next. I think I'll pick up a pipe cutter ($15-$20) at HF this weekend as well. That would give the squarest cleanest cut.
Update:
OK, I tried the cutter right after I last posted this but I didn't like the 3 foot spark stream in a garage full of boxes, nor did I like the lack of control. So I ditched that option and finally went to HF and got a pipe cutter for $15. It worked like a charm. Nice square smooth cut. Ahhh. Thanks for suggesting this. A really good investment that saved my saws and my house.
Update:
OK, I tried the cutter right after I last posted this but I didn't like the 3 foot spark stream in a garage full of boxes, nor did I like the lack of control. So I ditched that option and finally went to HF and got a pipe cutter for $15. It worked like a charm. Nice square smooth cut. Ahhh. Thanks for suggesting this. A really good investment that saved my saws and my house.