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JIMMIE JIMMIE is offline
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Default Cutting a 3" cast iron pipe

On May 3, 12:22*pm, Art Todesco wrote:
MiamiCuse wrote:
"Sac Dave" wrote in message
. ..
"MiamiCuse" wrote in message
.. .
I need to cut a 3" cast iron vent pipe to tie to a new PVC vent.


I am using a Milwaukee sawzall with a metal blade and it kept skidding
and wouldn't start the cut at the right place. *I then used a 4-1/2"
angle grinder with a metal blade and cut a little notch and now I can
engage with the sawzall without skidding.


However after 15 minutes of cut I don't think I am making a significant
dent at all.


I used the same sawzall and cut through copper and EMT electrical
conduits like knife through butter. *But this CI pipe I am not making any
progress.


I can't use the angle grinder there is simply not enough room around it.


I went to HD and they recommended a "grit iron" blade. *Got that and it
seems to cut a little bit, but again after 15 minutes, I am not even 10%
through the pipe. *The way I am going it would take 10 hours.


I remember seeing another blade named "ugly metal blade" I wonder if that
would be better.


Is there a better way to do this?


I know a chain cutter may be used, but I want to avoid it. *Part of the
reason I am cutting this is because the lower section was cut by a
plumber who used a chain cutter but created a vertical crack line and now
I am trying to cut away all the damaged section.


Thanks,


MC


Ratchet cutter *http://www.plumbingsupply.com/snapcutters.htmlRatchet
cutters would be best. *If you have access all the way around the pipe a
cut off wheel in a peanut grinder.


Thanks but I cannot use this. *I am trying to cut away a section that was
damaged by using a chain cutter. *I need to cut it the old fashion way
instead of relying on it to break at the weak spot.


MC


If you are only removing a chunk off the
end, say less than about 4", you can
use the method I used in a toilet pipe
in a concrete floor. *I needed to install
an offset flange. *I used a 2 1/2" cut
off wheel in a 4" drill bit extender. *I
chucked the whole thing into a router.
You can't run the router at full speed
as slight unbalances will destroy the 4"
extender. *It could also be quite
dangerous if it flied apart. *I used a
adjustable auto-transformer
(Variac) to keep the speed slow. *I
worked from the inside of
pipe from the open end and slowly but
surely, cut through. *I did have a nice
flat spot to set the router faceplate
while going around (the old flange). *As
I recall, it only took about 10 minutes.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Interesting, I had to cut out some PVC pipe to replace a toilet flange
and did the same thing using. I had started a bathroom remodel and
wasnt having enough free time to finish the job so I hired a
contractor. He told me he was going to have to charge me extra for
demolishing the floor around the toilet flange so he could replace it.
Once I rigged up a way of getting the cutoff blade deep enough in the
hole it took less than a minute to do the job.

JImmie