How to cut 6" PVC in half lengthwise?

[Joelk]

I want to cut a 4' section of 6" SDR35 in half lengthwise.

I have a lot of tools, but do not have a table or band saw.

How can I mark it, jig it, cut it, to get a clean accurate cut with two near identical halves?

 

[JJThrasher]

Attach a "L" bracket t the side of a circular saw that'll hold the blade 3" from the edge of the bracket, and use a fine tooth blade.

 

[driftpin]

You will need to use wedges to keep the saw kerf open. A snap line will mark the cut line. You can use a circular saw w/a Carbide blade.

 

[racingtadpole]

Last time I had to do that, I marked the two lines to cut and after much procrastination ended up just cutting it with a panel saw by hand one side at a time. Then I laid out a length of sanding belt on the bench and used that to tidy the two halves up.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Sawzall and clean up cut with file or sandpaper.

 

[kbs2244]

Most pipes have a printed line down the length that will take care of one side.
Then measuring around multiple times and marking a series of dots to be connected will work for the other.

The little rubber wedges they sell for stair tereads wii work to keep the kerf open.

 

[WWheeler]

I'd screw a 2x4 to the pipe just at each end to have something to hold it steady, mark my lines with a chalkline, and make the cut with a fine tooth or combination blade mounted backwards in a circular saw. The backwards blade will cut easily and leave a smooth edge.

edit: I'd also plunge cut ~1" from the end to start the cut and stop ~1" from the other on the first side to make cutting the second side easier.

 

[jd_1138]

Mark the line. clamp it down, and use a jigsaw. I think that might give the most accurate cut. Cut each side separately. They even make special jigsaw blades for PVC.

Unless you use a circular saw with an accurate guide clamped down and totally square with the piece of PVC. Or could use a jigsaw with a guide.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Lay it alongside a 4x4 on a flat surface and mark a line down it. Wrap a measuring tape around it with one of the foot marks on your line, then mark the other side half way around. Cut with jigsaw or circular saw.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Mark the line. clamp it down, and use a jigsaw. I think that might give the most accurate cut. Cut each side separately. They even make special jigsaw blades for PVC.

Unless you use a circular saw with an accurate guide clamped down and totally square with the piece of PVC.

I was going to mention using a jig saw. Ever use a door jamb to make straight lines on a piece of pipe or tubing ?

 

[Leadfot]

Bandsaw.

 

[Kevin54]

I want to cut a 4' section of 6" SDR35 in half lengthwise.

I have a lot of tools, but do not have a table or band saw.

How can I mark it, jig it, cut it, to get a clean accurate cut with two near identical halves?

Bandsaw.

Reading what the OP first stated when he made the thread really helps.

 

[toplessHO]

I use a piece of angle iron to get my straight line for cutting
its pretty obvious if its not exactly parallel

 

[shedfullatools]

I use a piece of angle iron to get my straight line for cutting
its pretty obvious if its not exactly parallel

 

[joe49]

Measure pipe OD cut a block at 1/2 diameter clamp pipe to a flat surface, slide block down both side of pipe with a pencil or marker on top to mark lines on both sides of pipe. For accuracy you could after clamping pipe down lay out 1/2 dimension on one side of pipe then use a compass or dividers or clamp a pencil/marker to a block set to the mark on pipe.
A hack to doing the cut would be, to make a sled for you saw that would hold your saw sideways with the blade at cut height off the surface pipe is clamped to. Then push saw on the sled along the pipe.

 

[kbs2244]

I like the idea of leaving an inch un-cut at the end to prevent it from flopping around.

 

[Leadfot]

Reading what the OP first stated when he made the thread really helps.

I did read it, but little sleep this week i forgot what he wrote.

Well ill try again. If you have a table and some clamps and some Construction lumber you can chim up the Wood to be just below center of the pipe both sides then clamp the Wood and pipe both ends to the table then use a handsaw. Or if you have a jigsaw just adjust the Wood to the Width of the jigsaw. Or search craigslist for a portable metal cutting bandsaw for all around uses for later Projects too.

 

[rustyjames]

I would use a circular saw.

 

[CNGsaves]

Build a JIG to hold the pipe . . . ie wooden structure, steel, etc. . . .
. . . . that . . . . matches what kind of saw you plan on using.

Piece of angle iron if properly jigged up could work with jigsaw or sawzall. Wooden jig could be used and sacrificial wood on top cut through with circular saw (one half at a time).

Lots of MacGyver options available !!

 

[doorfx]

Water jet!

 

[Katodog]

Make a frame out of wood. Drop the PVC into the frame. Put a guide on a circular saw and run it down the length of the frame. Obviously for 6" pipe you either need a very large circular saw or you have to flip the PVC and cut the other side separately. Should work without having to do any undue measuring or whatnot. Make a mark on the bottom of the frame for the middle, then when you make your first cut, flip the PVC and lay the cut on the mark to be able to find center for the other cut.

 

[Katodog]

Build a JIG to hold the pipe

Yup, said it before I did.

 

[BD1]

I would take two carpenter framing squares to mark in half. Use squares to form a box around pipe. As state lay angle iron on to mark. i would say you'll need 2'' angle.
Might not hurt to get a price from a local shop.

 

[bsaint]

Bridgeport would work quick.

 

[1953mercury]

Worm drive, and a carbide blade. I have a 8' saw horse 2x10 top with a 2x6 90deg backstop. Quick clamp on one end cut to clamp change clamp to other end, complete cut. Flip 180deg, repeat. I did this on 8" pvc to create my floor drain. Sawzall, or jig saw will work also, but much slower. Mike

 

[Joelk]

Thanks for the replies.

I got it done and it turned out pretty good.

There was a printing on one side of the pipe that served as my one cut line.

To make sure I was getting the other line directly opposite the first one I wrapped a piece of paper around it and cut it where it lapped so the ends just touched.

I then took the paper off, folded it in half and marked the fold point.

I taped the paper on each end and marked the pipe, then used angle iron to mark straight line.

I used a jig saw with a fairly coarse blade and it cut well, only issue was that it was kind of hard to see the line because of debris from the cut.

My jig saw has oscillation feature that I tried, but elected not to use. It cut a little faster, but chipped out a little.

Not a perfect cut, but good enough for my project.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Very good. Thanks for the feedback