Which Saw Blades Cut Clay Pipes?

About Clay Pipes

• As with clay pottery and tile, clay pipes undergo a baking process called firing. Clay pipe manufacturers fire their products at high temperatures, usually around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperature firing binds, or vitrifies, the clay particles, which creates an exceptionally stable and durable product. Clay sewer pipe not only resists damage from household waste, but also withstands exposure to different chemical waste products. Because a vitrified clay pipe's hardened surface resists physical abrasion, cutting the pipe requires specialized tools or saw blades.

Manual Soil Pipe Cutter

• The manual soil pipe cutter resembles a cast-iron chain cutter, and certain models are designed to cut both metal and clay pipes. The manual soil pipe cutter consists of a chain of sharp-edged cutting discs attached to the end of a pair of straight handles. Plumbers wrap the chain around a pipe's circumference, pull the chain taut, and twist the tool's handles to run the discs around the pipe's outside surface. The discs score the clay pipe's surface, allowing the plumber to snap the pipe along the depression. Inexpensive and effective, manual soil pipe cutters are the most common cutting tool for vitrified clay pipe.

Specialty Chainsaws

• Specialty tool manufacturers produce chainsaw blades that are suitable for cutting through both metal and clay pipes. The chainsaw blades' teeth usually are coated with an abrasive mineral, such as diamond grit. Plumbers might choose a chainsaw cutter to handle large projects that require frequent cutting or to create cuts at unusual angles.

Circular Saw Blades

• Saw blade manufacturers produce heavy-duty circular saw blades that are suitable for cutting vitrified clay pipe. Similar in appearance to diamond-edged masonry blades, these blades typically cut through several types of material, including clay, metal and concrete pipes. The blades are often available in diameters and sizes that mount to standard power tools, such as portable circular saws and angle grinders. If you choose to cut clay pipe with a circular saw blade, carefully check the blade's packaging to determine suitable cutting materials. Manufacturers might list clay pipe as clay sewer pipe, vitrified clay pipe or soil pipe.