Table Saw

Can You Cut PVC With a Table Saw?

Can You Cut PVC With a Table Saw
Written by Muhammad Haseeb

Are you wondering that can you cut PVC with a table saw, the short answer is yes, you can cut pvc with a table saw. But remember that it’s risky because table saws aren’t made to cut round things.

Table saws are not the best tool for cutting PVC pipes and sheets. When used correctly, they can do the job, but there are other options you could use instead.

But if you’re reading this article, it’s probably because you only have a table saw. So, keep reading to find out how to cut PVC safely with a table saw.

Read More: Can You Cut Acrylic With A Table Saw?

Using a Table Saw to Cut PVC?

DEWALT Table Saw

Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is a material that is often used to improve homes. PVC pipes are used in most homes to carry water and drain water. PVC pipes need to be cut to size before they can be used. This can be done with a table saw.

When cutting PVC, you should use a table saw with a dull blade because a sharp blade will cut through the PVC pipe quickly.

It can be dangerous to use a table saw to cut PVC pipes because its surfaces aren’t made for curved objects. When you push the PVC pipe through the blade, be extra careful because if you slip, you could hurt yourself badly.

Cutting PVC Pipe with a Table Saw:

Using a table saw to make a smooth, clean cut will require you to think about a number of things. Some of these things are the thickness, length, and diameter of the PVC pipe. Because of how aggressively it cuts, the table saw cuts through thinner pipes faster than it does thicker ones. So, if you don’t want to damage your pipe, don’t use them on pipes with a smaller diameter.

1) Selecting the Proper Saw Blade:

Freud 10 in 80 Tooth Plexiglass&Plastic Cutting Saw Blade 5/8 in Arbor LU94M010

Using the right saw blade is probably one of the most important choices you will have to make. If you use the wrong kind of saw blade, you will not only damage your PVC pipe, but you could also hurt yourself. Always use blades with shorter teeth, since the ones with longer teeth tend to cause a lot of friction.

2) Taking Accurate Measurements:

Before you cut your PVC pipes, it’s important to measure them correctly. You don’t want to end up with PVC that is shorter than what is needed.

3) Check that Your Table Saw is Operating Properly:

Since PVCs are soft, it’s important that the table saw can cut through them right away. Make sure there is enough power and torque in your table saw. If your table saw gets stuck and stops cutting, it’s dangerous and you shouldn’t use it.

4) If Possible, Control the Cutting Speed:

A table saw moves quickly and has a high RPM. Because of this, they have to cut hard through the soft PVC pipes. If you can, add a variable speed control so you can control how fast the blade moves while you cut.

5) Keep Your Hands as Far Away From the Blade As You Can:

Always keep your hands and body away from the moving blade of the table saw to keep them safe.

6) Always Wear Something to Protect Yourself:

When using a table saw, you should always wear safety glasses, gloves, a dust mask, and ear protection.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cutting PVC Pipes with a Table Saw:

Cutting PVC Pipes with a Table Saw

Step-1:

Get your table saw ready. Make sure that everything works well. Clear the surface of the table of any dust from the last cuts.

Step-2:

Install vertical and horizontal supports or a fence to help guide and secure the pipe as it is rotated during the cutting process.

Step-3:

Put the pipe in place. After taking all the necessary measurements, place the pipe so that it is right on top of the opening for the saw blade. Make sure the end of the pipe rests on the vertical fence and the body rests on the horizontal fence.

Step-4:

Put the table saw to work. Slowly move the blade up while putting firm pressure on the pipe. Keep moving the blade up until it cuts through the pipe’s bottom. Stop moving the blade up once it has cut through.

Step-5:

Roll the pipe slowly while the blade cuts through it. Stay as far away as possible to avoid getting hurt.

Step-6:

Once the pipe has been cut in half, turn off the machine. Let the blade stop moving before you grab the pipes.

Saws that Can be Used to Cut PVC:

When cutting PVC pipes, you need to be very careful and precise. In this part, we’ll talk about three other tools you can use to cut PVC pipes beside a table saw.

1) Handsaw or hacksaw:

Builders like both the hacksaw and the handsaw are the two tools that are most often used to cut PVC pipes. They are readily available and cost less compared to the others. The bad thing about it is that you have to use your own body to use it. Using hacksaws and handsaws is also time-consuming. So, they are best for jobs where you only need to cut a few pieces of PVC.

2) Pipe Cutter:

The plastic pipe cutter is another great, cheap tool you can use to cut PVC pipes. They are easy to use and can be bought at most stores that sell building supplies. The biggest problem is that it can only hold so much. They can cut PVC pipes that are one inch in diameter or smaller. When used for a long time, they can also cause a lot of pain and stress in the hand.

3) Miter saw:

The miter saw will be the best tool for cutting large quantities of PVC pipes. It is an electric saw used to make crosscuts that are precise and straight. Its downside is that it is expensive.

What is the Most Efficient Way to Cut PVC Pipe?

An Electric Miter Saw is by far the quickest way to cut a PVC Pipe, and it is also the quickest way to cut almost any other material. But because it is powerful and works well, it is also very dangerous and can cause serious injuries if it is used wrongly.

When bought new, these saws can cost $100 or even $1,000. Because of this, you should buy a Plastic Pipe Cutter or a regular saw if you don’t already have one at your house or job site.

This is one of the most common power tools for doing heavy work. Some people might think that using an electric miter saw to cut a PVC pipe is “overkill,” but if you already have one and don’t have a Plastic Pipe Cutter, there’s no reason not to use it. On the other hand, you might have a lot of PVC pipe to cut and need to get the job done quickly. In that case, it might be worth the risk to use an electric saw.

So, if you want to cut a PVC pipe with an Electric Miter Saw, here are some things you need to keep in mind:

  • If you are under 18, make sure someone who knows what they are doing is watching you.
  • Always use gloves and eye protection.
  • Make sure that the PVC pipe and the miter saw are both securely clamped down.

As long as you know you’re using a very powerful power tool and take the right safety precautions, cutting the pipe is quick and easy. Just line up the pipe with the saw, turn on the machine, and slowly lower it to cut the pipe.

The whole thing should take about 5 seconds.

If you don’t have a Plastic Pipe Cutter or an Electric Miter Saw, you can just use a regular hand saw.

How to Use a Hand Saw to Cut a PVC Pipe:

It’s not the best way to cut a PVC pipe with a hand saw, but it’s fine. Even though it’s not as safe as a Plastic Pipe Cutter or as fast as an Electric Miter Saw, if it’s the only tool you have at home, there’s no reason to buy another one.

First, make sure you know how to properly use a hand saw. If you don’t know how to use it, you should either get help from someone who does or teach yourself using a different material. Cutting a PVC pipe with a regular hand saw can be hard. It’s not as dangerous as using an electric saw, but if you do it wrong, you could still get hurt badly.

The first step is to clamp the PVC pipe down. It needs to be secure before you can start cutting. If you don’t, it will be harder to cut evenly and it might be harder to cut all the way through. We recommend drawing a straight line around the pipe’s edge so you know exactly where to cut it.

Once the PVC pipe is in place, you can just “saw” back and forth to cut it. Because of how hand saws work, the end of the pipe will probably have rock-hard pieces called “burrs” that need to be cut off. You can do this with a hammer or another blunt tool.

After that, you’ll have a PVC pipe that is perfectly cut. You can keep doing this process as many times as you need.

Don’t use a table saw to cut your PVC pipe to size. This is true no matter what you choose to use. Any of the three tools talked about in this article are great for cutting PVC pipes and are safe as long as you take the right precautions.

Bottom Line: Can You Cut PVC With a Table Saw

Can You Cut PVC With a Table Saw? Yes, You can cut PVC with a table saw, but it’s not always easy. For example, it’s harder to cut PVC pipes with a table saw than it is to cut PVC sheets. Also, don’t cut very small PVC pipes with a table saw.

Wear safety glasses, gloves, and earplugs every time you use the table saw. Also, make sure your hands are never near the blade when you are cutting.

You can use a handsaw if you only need to make a few cuts. But if you need to cut a lot of PVC pipes, you should use a miter saw.

FAQ’s

Can a Table Saw be Used to Cut a PVC Sheet?

Yes. PVC sheets can be cut with a table saw in the same way as wood. PVC sheets are easier to cut with a table saw than PVC pipes because they have a flat surface.

Is it Easy to Cut PVC Boards?

With the right tools, it’s easy to cut PVC boards. Use blades with carbide tips when you use power tools. Also, keep in mind that the smoother the cut edges will be, the fewer teeth your blade has.

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About the author

Muhammad Haseeb

Muhammad Haseeb is the CEO and Founder of Techy Saw, a website that provides reviews, tutorials, and information about cutting saws. He studied at Concordia College and Virtual University of Pakistan. Haseeb has over 5 years of experience in the woodcutting industry.

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