What tools to cut a cast iron pipe

Material cutting methods

As with any metal, methods for cutting cast iron are divided into thermal and mechanical. The choice of a specific tool depends on the design features. The following is equipment that saws (or cuts) cast iron:

• pipe cutter;
• angle grinder;
• chisel;
• hacksaw for metal;
• jigsaw
• plasma installation;
• gas cutters.

Now it’s worth evaluating cutting using the mentioned tools with objects made of cast iron.

How to cut cast iron - from home to industrial methods

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: 01.09.2018

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Most often, the need to cut a cast iron structure arises when dismantling outdated communications. The hope for a speedy completion of the work collapses immediately - in the Soviet Union, pipes were connected with cement, sulfur and aluminum, so cutting them is incredibly difficult. But a couple of working methods are known. You will learn about how to cut cast iron and structures made from it from the material below. Dismantling a sewer cast iron pipe: how to disassemble

Pipe cutter

This is a special device for cutting pipes from different materials. There are manual (mechanical) and electric tools. Both types are suitable for diameters 15-360 mm.

First, a carbide disk is mounted on the device. The removable element has a number of advantages over classic abrasive ones. For example, the cutting speed is increased by 4 times, there is no sparking and no need to add any substances to the cutting zone. Diamond coating is applied on top of the cutting edge, which extends the service life of the products. Examples of pipe cutters for cast iron pipes are portable Exact Pipecut products for diameters less than 360 mm.

Alas, it is rare that a home pipeline can be easily cut with a pipe cutter. It may be difficult for a tool to access it, or the cutting area may be bent so that it cannot be grasped by the device. Therefore, it is worth considering other options.

How to cut a cast iron pipe

Cutting cast iron pipes can be done using a grinder and pipe cutters. In addition, it is possible to saw off a cast iron pipe using a chisel and a hacksaw. Also, special gas installations can be used for cutting pipes made of cast iron.

How to saw off a pipe with a hacksaw and a chisel

Cutting cast iron pipes using a hacksaw or chisel is done as follows:

1. First of all, you should measure the pipe and put a mark where the cut will be made.

2. After this, you need to place a wooden block under the pipe at the cutting site.

3. Then, strictly according to the mark made on the cast iron pipe, you need to make a notch.

It is best to make cuts in sections of 20 millimeters in size.

4. Using a chisel, you need to beat off the cast iron pipe along the mark.

How to cut a pipe with a pipe cutter

A pipe cutter for cutting cast iron pipes is used when other cutting methods are not possible. You can cut a cast iron pipe using a pipe cutter by doing the following:

1. First you need to install the cutter on the pipe cutter.

2. Then you need to work with the handle of the pipe cutter until the cast iron pipe is tightly crimped, and only then carefully cut.

For cutting cast iron pipes, pipe cutters such as Exact Pipecut (for pipes with a diameter of 15 to 360), as well as EXACT Pipecut 170, 200 and 360, are excellent. To cut pipes made of cast iron, you need to use a diamond-coated carbide blade.

Grinder for cutting cast iron pipes

Of all the methods for cutting cast iron pipes, the most accessible and easiest involves the use of a grinder. The disadvantage of this method is that cutting is done strictly in a straight line. During the cutting process, it is imperative to protect your eyes and face with a mask and goggles. Particular attention should be paid to the discs used in the cutting process of cast iron pipes. It is better to choose cutting discs on a bakelite bond. They are more resilient and durable than ceramic-bonded consumables.

Also read: How to disassemble cast iron sewer pipes

Gas cutting of cast iron pipes

There are two types of cutting:

1. Oxygen gas cutting. Cutting a cast iron pipe is carried out using a supersonic high-temperature jet of combustion products of liquid hydrocarbon fuel in oxygen. Either kerosene or diesel fuel is used as fuel. Most often, oxy-fuel cutting of cast iron pipes is used to eliminate the consequences resulting from emergency situations, during emergency rescue operations. Also, pipes are cut using this method in the construction and metallurgical industries.

2. Oxygen-spear cutting. The pipe is cut using a steel tube. It is through this that oxygen is supplied. The end of the steel tube is heated to 1350°C. Heating can be done using a welding torch. After this, oxygen is supplied. When burning, oxygen heats up to 2000°C.

Angle grinder

Working with an angle grinder is quick and convenient, but not without its drawbacks. For example, it only cuts in a straight line. An attempt to make a curved cut will result in the disc being “bitten”, breaking, and possible injury to the user. Therefore, the machine is used for straight cutting. Another disadvantage is the fire hazard of the method (abrasive disc + metal = sparking). Before work, you will have to wear goggles, protection for your face and hands.

Cutting with a circle is more efficient than with a jigsaw, which is why users often choose a noisy grinder. When buying a cutting wheel, prefer products with a bakelite bond, because they are much stronger than their ceramic counterparts.

Working with a chisel and hammer

This pair of products will help separate cast iron in hard-to-reach places. Dismantling work begins with pipes remote from the riser in places where a grinder or hacksaw cannot be inserted. Since cast iron is a brittle material, it is easily destroyed after point dynamic loads.

A good impact tool has a rubber or polymer attachment to slightly soften the impact. This is necessary so that pieces of cast iron do not fly around, get into the riser and create a blockage.

The chisel and hammer work great with Soviet-era cast iron, that is, combined with sulfur, aluminum and cement. As you move towards the riser, there is usually more free space for work, so further cast iron can be cut with a more efficient device. As with the grinder, when working with a chisel, it is recommended to cover areas of the body into which cast iron splinters may fly off.

The productivity of work is extremely low, but sometimes you can’t do without them.

Dismantling of cast iron sewer pipes – Diversified municipal unitary enterprise

Most older houses have sewer lines made of cast iron, sometimes steel pipes. Over time, they deteriorate, rust and leak. These leaks create an unpleasant odor in the apartment. When the opportunity arises, residents exchange them for metal-plastic or plastic materials. Previously, pipes were connected using cement mortar, twine, sulfur, and helix. The old pipeline is difficult to dismantle. To do this you need to have great desire, tools and patience.

Dismantling old cast iron sewer pipes

General progress of work

To decide how to disconnect cast iron sewer pipes, you need to carefully inspect them and draw up a small work plan. If you have to completely replace the pipes, you can simply break the old ones with a hammer and take out the trash. This is easy to do, because cast iron is very fragile. If you need to disassemble and replace only part of the pipes, you will have to work carefully and slowly. It is necessary to turn off the water supply to the apartment, otherwise the waste water will flow into the sewer. The following work is carried out in several stages:

• part of the riser below the connection is cut off with a grinder;
• the cut piece is separated from the socket;
• If you can’t pull out a piece, you need to heat the joint.

Electric hacksaw

It is much more convenient for the user to work with an electric hacksaw than with a grinder, although the principle of operation is not much different. A lightweight device with smaller dimensions than an angle grinder, the blade is consumed slower than the disk if it is correctly selected (HSS or BIM marking, and the length is also taken into account).

Less risk of injury, speed of the process - something between a grinder and a hand saw, low cost of consumables and their availability - are the advantages of cutting cast iron with an electric hacksaw.

VIEW Electric hacksaw on AliExpress →

Plasma cutting

The method relates more to production than to household use, so it will not be discussed in detail. If the goal is minimal material consumption, speed of operation, and noiselessness, there is no better equipment for cutting cast iron. The plasma will make cuts in workpieces with a thickness of more than 200 mm, and the sawn material will hardly have to be processed at the end of the work.

The method is used by large metallurgy and industrial enterprises where there is a need for cutting and transporting cast iron scrap. Plasma installations are indispensable for large-scale work.

Features of cutting cast iron

• 1 Cutting cast iron: grinder, pipe cutters, gas: equipment and features. Cutting cast iron with a grinder How to saw a cast iron grate with a grinder
• 2 Cutting cast iron - how to deal with inaccessible material? Cutting cast iron: with a grinder, pipe cutters, gas: equipment and features Which discs to cut cast iron pipes 2.1 Cutting cast iron with a grinder
• 2.2 Cutting cast iron pipes with pipe cutters

When renovating, many people try to replace all outdated communications at once. It turns out that the most difficult thing to work with is cast iron sewer pipes that need to be dismantled. Previously, they were connected using cement, sulfur or aluminum. It turns out that the system was carried out for centuries. But the end of the century has arrived. And at the same time, complex work begins. At first glance, it may seem that removing cast iron pipes is very easy. But here you need to work wisely. After all, if you apply too much force, you can damage the riser that connects several apartments at once. In this case, the anger of the neighbors is inevitable. Costs, time and a lot of work will begin. Before you start dismantling an old cast iron pipe, you need to familiarize yourself with some rules:

1. turn off the water supply in the house;
2. remove the hose from the flush tank on the toilet;
3. clean the toilet carefully;
4. remove from the premises all devices and objects that may interfere with the work;
5. Cast iron is a brittle material. Pipes that are located far from the riser can be broken with a hammer;
6. removal of pipes that directly approach the riser;
7. Cuffs are installed on the bell. First, the bell is cleaned of lubricants.

Gas cutting

There are two methods of gas cutting of cast iron:

• oxygen gas;
• oxygen-lance.

In the first case, the workpiece is exposed to a thin jet of flame supplied under high pressure. The combustion product is usually a mixture of oxygen with kerosene or diesel fuel. By the way, it is an effective method for eliminating man-made accidents.

The second method resembles the oxygen gas method, only the cutting element is a thin tube made of hardened steel. Its tip is heated to almost 1500 degrees (welding/soldering iron/lamp), then oxygen is supplied through it, ignited at the outlet and heated to 2000 degrees. The resulting burning mixture easily copes with thick cast iron.

Both methods are good, but there are disadvantages - it is important to have experience working with gas equipment. Responsible and precise cutting is performed only by a professional. The second drawback is the release of gas that is harmful to health during operation of the cutter.

The method is suitable for working outdoors or in the garage. For example, the need to remove a cast iron lock from a swing gate. The cutter works quietly, you won't disturb anyone.

Basic safety rules

Before cutting wood with a grinder, you need to familiarize yourself with the safety rules. The main ones of these rules are the following:

1. Be sure to use personal protective equipment (safety plastic goggles, fabric gloves) and work in overalls.
2. It is strictly forbidden to use discs that have defects.
3. It is recommended to hold the grinder firmly with 2 hands.
4. Always ensure that the electrical cord is not near the rotating disc.
5. Place the grinder only after the cutting element has completely stopped.
6. Do not remove the protective cover.
7. Do not work while intoxicated.

You cannot use equipment that is not intended for working with angle grinders. You should not use cutting equipment for a circular saw for the following objective reasons:

1. An angle grinder has a higher rotation speed than a circular saw. The disc is designed for lower speeds, so at high speed it can crack and fly apart. Flying fragments can cause harm to health.
2. The wood has a more viscous texture and inclusions in the form of knots, which is why the teeth enter the material unevenly. If the blade becomes jammed, the tool may be pulled out of your hands, resulting in serious injury.
3. Due to uneven loads, equipment overheats and may fail.