Dimensional specifications, pressure classes and engineered jointing for specialized infrastructure service.
Cutting, Preparation & Installation Tools
Why a square cut matters
The quality of every compression or fused joint starts with a square, clean cut of the pipe end. A crooked cut stops the pipe going fully into a compression fitting or makes the welding machine's planer work longer. Shears are used for small pipe and rotary or guillotine cutters for large diameters.
Unlike a saw, these tools leave little swarf, so none gets into the pipe and drippers. A sharp, clean blade keeps the cut square; a blunt one crushes the pipe.
Pipe shears or a rotary cutter?
Pipe shears are the fastest tool for small irrigation and water pipes and cut in one stroke. For larger pipes and thick walls, a rotary or guillotine cutter gives a squarer cut and needs less force.
If you mostly work with drip and lateral tubing, shears are enough; if you weld water mains or well casing, keep a rotary or guillotine cutter next to the welding machine. The diameter range of each tool is in the product table.
Preparing the pipe end before welding or jointing
After cutting, remove the burr from the pipe edge and clean the surface of dust and grease. For electrofusion, the oxidised outer layer of the pipe must be scraped off so the joint fuses fully.
Keep the pipe end covered until jointing so no soil gets in. With compression fittings, mark the insertion depth on the pipe to be sure it is pushed fully home.
Cutting, Preparation & Installation Tools — Frequently Asked Questions
Up to what diameter do shears cut?
Up to 63 or 75 mm depending on the model.
What is needed for large pipe?
A rotary or guillotine cutter for the 63 to 400 mm range.
Why not use a saw?
A saw leaves swarf and a rough cut that suits neither fittings nor fusion.
Can a saw be used to cut PE pipe?
Better not; a saw leaves chips and cuts at an angle. A pipe cutter gives a clean, square cut.
Why scrape the pipe before electrofusion?
The oxidised surface layer stops full fusion; scraping removes it.
Can't find what you need?
If you require specific sizes, custom fittings or specifications not listed in the catalog, our technical team is ready to assist and review custom requests.