How to Cut Plastic Pipes

Plastic pipes come in a variety of types, from the common PVC pipe to the flexible PEX piping, and everything in between. All of these pipes are made of a plastic polymer that is tough, strong and pressure-resistant and are excellent for many plumbing jobs. These plastic pipes need no special cutting tools, and virtually every one of these pipes can be cut with a tool that is in just about every do-it-yourselfer's toolbox.

• 1

  Cut plastic pipes using a standard hacksaw with a fine-toothed blade. Make a line at the cut mark, line up the blade with the mark, and saw through the plastic.

• 2

  Cut plastic pipes with any type of metal-bladed hand saw. Medium-sized teeth that are placed 13 to the inch will work well to cut through virtually any type of plastic pipe.

• 3

  Cut plastic pipes with a powered miter saw. Use a fine-toothed plywood blade for this, with a total amount of cutting teeth of 140 to 200. The larger the tooth count, the easier and safer the cut will be. Lower the blade slowly under power and don't force the cut; let the blade do all the work.