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Cutting a PVC pipe square?

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 7, 2022 1:55 PM

Oh,  That's what you were saying.  I guess I misunderstood.  I don't post threads very often.  I just had one going and it took a nose diveLaugh

 

Thanks Overmod

 

 

TF

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, January 7, 2022 1:43 PM

TF, I wasn't criticizing.  If someone is interested in cuts that are not square, they might not search this topic or be directed to it by search.  Since you have a documented example where pipe ends had to be adjusted to 'look right' you can start a new post illustrating this... complete with solved example.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 7, 2022 1:33 PM

The post i made was sincere.  I was just stating with illustration and I felt it does relate to the thread as its cutting pipe.

I think when you have to make just as precise of cuts out of square as on square, it can be just as or more difficult.  Hand miter boxes don't have all the angles or combination ones.  Usually only 90, 45, and 22.5°.

Sorry if I offended you or the OP as that was not my intent.

I have one of those mini belt sander benches with an adjustable table top.  That's a good idea Overmod.  Maybe I'll try that next time instead of free hand.  I think it might be easier.

I would be happy to erase my post if the OP thinks that would be appropriate.

 

 

TF

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, January 7, 2022 10:23 AM

TF, this is a completely different topic, and I think you should start your own thread on it.  The 'square' cutting only matters when you need that right-angle end for good reason.

The best answer I can propose for the subject bridge is to get one of those belt/disc sander combo machines, with appropriate grit to cut and finish the cardboard you use.  Glue the bridge up with 'oversize' ends and mark the desired extension length on each one, then 'sand to the line' against the disc, with the bridge squarely on the table and level so the cut edge will be vertically true.  You may have to finish-sand or lightly bevel the inside and outside tube edges.

Note that if you have a way to square a sliding jig against the disc you have an easy way to dress any 'miscuts' in pipe so they are square; you could also jig fixed skew angles.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 7, 2022 10:01 AM

Good morning

It turned out these cardboard tubes on Bridge #7 had to be cut unsquare to look cosmetically correct.

They started out square and looked terrible.  So they had to be individually marked to follow the contour of the bridge.  Each one was different and I found it more difficult to cut them unsquare so they looked right.

 

 

TF

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, January 7, 2022 12:12 AM

Southgate 2
I came up with another way to scribe lines. Coming to a WPF near you! I'll post it there.

Dan... Weekend Photo Fun is open!

I am looking forward to seeing what you have come up with.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Overmod on Thursday, January 6, 2022 9:37 PM

Southgate 2
Instead of hose clamps, I came up with another way to scribe lines. Coming to a WPF near you! I'll post it there.

He's going to print a couple dozen lines of XAML on the laser printer, wrap the sheet tight and square and tape it, then scribe or cut with the paper edge as a guide! It's genius... but I can't help thinking I've seen something like it before...

(Nerd humor; ignore it.)

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Posted by Southgate 2 on Thursday, January 6, 2022 7:15 PM

Instead of hose clamps, I came up with another way to scribe lines. Coming to a WPF near you! I'll post it there.Cool  Dan

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, January 6, 2022 1:41 AM

Southgate 2
I never thought this thread would get past 8 replies

Isn't it great when we try to help each other?

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Southgate 2 on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 11:53 PM

Hose clamps. Noted. On my way out to the garage. Thanks!

I never thought this thread would get past 8 replies, but man, I've picked up some useful pointers here and viewed some great models. Dan

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Posted by HO-Velo on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 10:21 PM

Southgate 2
make the lines on those tanks? Or are they kits?

Thanks Southgate 2,  Not kits.  Hose clamp, machinist scale and scribe used to etch the circumference and upright lines.  Several passes required to reach preferred depth.  Hose clamp worm drive didn't allow a full circle scribe, but in my case didn't matter since rear of tanks not visible.

Regards, Peter  

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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 8:11 PM

Doughless
Isn't Pex the flexible tubing used for water supply lines, not really waste lines or a replacement for PVC? 

Yes, here in SE. WI., the first time I seen it used was for in-floor hydronic heat. Now I see all over.  Our north woods WI. cabin, the water lines are pex.  Th drain system is PVC.

Mike.

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Posted by PC101 on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 7:35 PM

Southgate 2

Pex is GREAT! Flexible and super tough. I just completely re plumbed a friends house with it. The house was vacant for several winters and the old cpvc pipes broke.  I'm not a plumber, but with the right tools, crimps and fittings, it goes fast enough, and won't burst again if frozen. I can't imagine any uses for it in scale modeling.

Thanks for the info on trying to use a pipe cutter on plastics, too.

 

PEX is GREAT. Nobody steals it out of houses as quick as they do copper.

There is a difference between a PIPE CUTTER and a TUBING CUTTER. It's the cutting wheels.

I haven't found a use for PEX in Model Railroading yet, but 1/2'' and 3/4'' CPVC yes. I have been using 1-1/4'' up to 4'' PVC pipe for silos and fuel tanks for a long time and have given plenty away over the years. You can only use so many. 

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 5:34 PM

Doughless

 

 
mbinsewi

 

 
Doughless
I never knew that cutting PVC pipe with a standard chop saw was dangerous.

 

I know.  Just about every plumber I've worked around, while they are doing rough in work, uses, or has used a chop saw.

Now, everything is going pex, which requires a different set of tools.

Mike.

 

 

 

Isn't Pex the flexible tubing used for water supply lines, not really waste lines or a replacement for PVC?  Blue tube is cold, red tube is the hot supply. Maybe I'm not thinking of the right stuff. 

If I am, the Central Indiana tract-home builders started using Pex exclusively in 2004.  My house was built in 2003 using copper pipes, and my neighbor's house used the blue and red tubing.  I watched contruction in 2004/2005.

There was a long array of metal fittings attached to the water supply, looked like a model railroad wiring terminal strip, where each faucet had its own dedicated blue and red lines running straight from the supply/water heater area in the basement.   I guess the product was too new for the plumbers to trust installing T fittings buried into walls, like they do with copper.

 

 

Yes, it replaces copper or the yellow CPVC supply piping. While it is code approved and available here, it is not popular with most professional plumber who still favor the yellow CPVC for supply piping. There are several types of fitting for PEX, and some do not like having them in walls and floors. But we have used solid brass compression fittings and Sharkbite fittings on PEX concealed in walls for two decades now on heating systems - no failures.

The "home run" approach to plumbing is becoming popular for a number of reasons.

A black version of PEX with some special features is used for hydronic heat systems, hot water baseboard, in floor radiant, etc. This was once big hydronic heating country, in this region problably more than 50% of the homes over 35-40 years old have boilers and baseboard/radiators, and a percentage of newer homes have it as well.

Older systems were all copper, but newer systems are hybrid of copper and PEX. We rework/upgrade older systems all the time that way.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by Southgate 2 on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 5:31 PM

Pex is GREAT! Flexible and super tough. I just completely re plumbed a friends house with it. The house was vacant for several winters and the old cpvc pipes broke.  I'm not a plumber, but with the right tools, crimps and fittings, it goes fast enough, and won't burst again if frozen. I can't imagine any uses for it in scale modeling.

Thanks for the info on trying to use a pipe cutter on plastics, too.

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Posted by Doughless on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 3:22 PM

mbinsewi

 

 
Doughless
I never knew that cutting PVC pipe with a standard chop saw was dangerous.

 

I know.  Just about every plumber I've worked around, while they are doing rough in work, uses, or has used a chop saw.

Now, everything is going pex, which requires a different set of tools.

Mike.

 

Isn't Pex the flexible tubing used for water supply lines, not really waste lines or a replacement for PVC?  Blue tube is cold, red tube is the hot supply. Maybe I'm not thinking of the right stuff. 

If I am, the Central Indiana tract-home builders started using Pex exclusively in 2004.  My house was built in 2003 using copper pipes, and my neighbor's house used the blue and red tubing.  I watched contruction in 2004/2005.

There was a long array of metal fittings attached to the water supply, looked like a model railroad wiring terminal strip, where each faucet had its own dedicated blue and red lines running straight from the supply/water heater area in the basement.   I guess the product was too new for the plumbers to trust installing T fittings buried into walls, like they do with copper.

 

- Douglas

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Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 2:46 PM

You have to be careful with rotating pipe cutters on PVC.  If you are not attentive you will pull down on the handle and the wheel will cut a spiral instead of a clean groove; the resulting separation will be anything but square.  Many of the cutting wheels have a wide 'bevel' for strength and by the time this gets far enough into the thicker sections of plastic pipe the bevel will have forced up a bulge in the plastic which destroys the ability to seat the pipe correctly in a cemented tapered fitting -- much worse than useless if you have to level it by cutting or sanding it down.

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Posted by JDawg on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 12:49 PM

Doughless

I never knew that cutting PVC pipe with a standard chop saw was dangerous.  Its what the kid at the Do-It center used when I got some of their scrap pieces cut down to 8 inch lengths for use as cement silos.

 

 

Frankly, it's not. I've cut PVC with a chop box hundreds of times. Still have all my fingers. Nowadays I use a Milaueakee PVC shear For plumbing jobs. Let me tell you that baby is sweet. 

JJF


Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing. Smile, Wink & Grin

Yesterday is History.

Tomorrow is a Mystery.

But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present. 

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 12:17 PM

mbinsewi

 

 
Doughless
I never knew that cutting PVC pipe with a standard chop saw was dangerous.

 

I know.  Just about every plumber I've worked around, while they are doing rough in work, uses, or has used a chop saw.

Now, everything is going pex, which requires a different set of tools.

Mike.

 

PEX has not really caught on around here, except for hydronic heating systems.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 9:45 AM

Doughless
I never knew that cutting PVC pipe with a standard chop saw was dangerous.

I know.  Just about every plumber I've worked around, while they are doing rough in work, uses, or has used a chop saw.

Now, everything is going pex, which requires a different set of tools.

Mike.

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Posted by Doughless on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 9:28 AM

I never knew that cutting PVC pipe with a standard chop saw was dangerous.  Its what the kid at the Do-It center used when I got some of their scrap pieces cut down to 8 inch lengths for use as cement silos.

- Douglas

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Posted by Southgate 2 on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 7:20 AM

HO-Velo

Maybe more Roy Underhill than Norm Abrams, but I cut and squared the ABS and PVC tubing for my tanks like mvlandsw.  For final squaring carefully drew the piece over sheet sandpaper taped to 1/4" thick plate glass, rotating 1/4 turn or so before each pass.  Not fast, nor perfect, but okay.

Power tools are great, use em' if ya' got em'.  

Btw Mike, your silos and grain complex look really, really good!

Regards, Peter

 

Peter, how did you make the lines on those tanks? Or are they kits? Nice! 

Mike, that's a great looking complex.

As to the original question: Nobody, unless I missed it, mentioned a regular pipe cutter that you rotate around on the pipe, at least to make a deep line to follow with a hand saw. Dan

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 1:56 PM

.

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 12:07 PM

Track fiddler
I would be happy to do that if you can hang on a bit.

Absolutely no rush. I'll be happy to be "hanging here by a thread" (waka-waka).

My late dad's first name was Dickran (pronounced dick-ron) which translates to Richard.  Being 1st gen, that got passed on to me.  Was never really happy about it, because single syllable names generally sound more masculine.

Anyway, if you're don't like Richard you get Rich, Rickey, or something similar.  And if you don't like those, then you become a Dick.

At one of the last jobs I was on I tried to become professional about the whole thing.  I worked for GE.  So when they called me on the radio I asked them to ask for "Dick from GE".  That soon became "GE Dick".  Told them they could keep the radio and if they wanted me they could walk the jobsite and try to find me.

Dick

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 9:17 AM

.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 8:51 AM

mbinsewi

 
And they deserve to be brought back up to the top to be viewed again.
 
Outstanding Mike!
 
 
 
 
TF
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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 8:43 AM

HO-Velo
Btw Mike, your silos and grain complex look really, really good!

Thanks Peter,  coming from an artist like you, it means a lot.

Mike.

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 12:07 AM

Track fiddler
I seen in one of your posts you commented that you are unfamiliar working with foam but you would make Bridge Piers out of two blocks of wood. I thought that was a great idea you had so I drew a picture and went down to the boiler room today and made some with my field saw. I'm glad you made that comment because honestly I was hating the foam ones I made.  I've been wanting to reduce the lower landing to half the width where the sister girder decks will rest.

TF:  I have the tools and probably the skill to make piers such as you show.  Unfortunately what I lack is enough imagination to come up with the cutting plan/sequence.  Any way you could provide that information, possibly in a new thread?  It would be appreciated by myself and probably others.

Thanks

Dick  

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Posted by HO-Velo on Monday, January 3, 2022 10:20 PM

Maybe more Roy Underhill than Norm Abrams, but I cut and squared the ABS and PVC tubing for my tanks like mvlandsw.  For final squaring carefully drew the piece over sheet sandpaper taped to 1/4" thick plate glass, rotating 1/4 turn or so before each pass.  Not fast, nor perfect, but okay.

Power tools are great, use em' if ya' got em'.  

Btw Mike, your silos and grain complex look really, really good!

Regards, Peter

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