Pipe cutters are extremely important tools to have if you are a professional who works on fixtures or fittings of any kind. If you are a plumber, especially, your toolkit is incomplete without a good pipe cutter. There may be times when you need to cut an extra bit of a pipe or tube off to make it fit better.
If you are looking for good steel pipe cutters, I have reviewed some of the best in the market in the following section. The reviews are also followed by a brief buying guide for buying steel pipe cutters:
Best Steel Pipe Cutters Reviewed
1/4-in to 1-3/8-in Model 35S Stainless Steel Tubing Cutter
This 1/4-inch to 1-3/8-inch stainless steel tubing cutter from Ridgid is an efficient tool that is great for cutting stainless steel tubes to the required length. The cutter provides a smooth cut and has especially been designed to slice through metals like stainless steel with ease. It even boasts of a contoured frame that provides easy alignment.
The following are some of the features, pros and cons of the pipe cutter:
Features
- This steel pipe cutter has six individual bearings instead of traditional rollers.
- There is an easy-to-turn knob that makes adjusting the bearings a lot more convenient.
- The tube cutter has a cutting capacity of ¼ of an inch to 1⅜ inches.
- There are special bearings in the hub which reduce the drag around the tub and facilitate a smoother cut.
Pros
- The individual bearings increase the speed around the tube and offer a cleaner cut.
- The cutter has a compact and lightweight design which makes it perfectly portable.
- The contoured frame has been designed specially so there is easy alignment while the cutter adjusts itself to make an incision.
- The X-CEL knob is ideal for making easy adjustments and smoother cuts.
Cons
- The adjustment mechanism still tends to be a little sloppy.
- The wheel can get dull after some months of prolonged use.
You can buy the steel pipe cutter here.
1/8-in to 1-1/8-in OD Stainless Steel Tubing Cutter
The Imperial TC1010 is a 1/8-inch to 1-1/8-inch OD stainless steel tubing cutter designed especially to carry out day-to-day steel cutting. This is a lightweight and durable tool that has been built with aluminum alloy. It provides precise and clean cuts, thanks to the thrust bearing feed action.
The following are some of the features, pros, and cons of the pipe cutter:
Features
- The pipe cutter has a cutting blade that is meant to take a beating and cut tubes on a daily basis.
- It has a thrust bearing feed mechanism that ensures a smooth and clean cutting motion.
- It has a high-strength aluminum-alloy body that makes it durable and strong.
- The body of the cutter is hand buffed and nickel-chrome plated for a fine finish.
Pros
- It has a convenient foldaway hardened steel reamer that cleans out the burrs efficiently.
- It has a unique mechanism that eliminates spiraling and provides only clean and precise cuts.
- The cutter wheels are made of abrasion-resistant chromium steel that remains sharp for a longer time.
- The rollers also have a flare cut-off groove that helps to reduce tube loss when any damaged flare is eliminated.
Cons
- Some customers have also complained that the knob tends to come off, which creates trouble with the cutting.
- It is not the best cutter for thicker steel.
You can buy the steel pipe cutter here.
Tubing Cutter 1/8 to 1-3/8 Inch for Pipe Copper PVC Thin Stainless Steel Tube with Extra Blade and Reamer
This tubing cutter from Wostore Store easily cuts tubes from ⅛ of an inch to 1⅜ inch easily. It has a spare blade that ensures you never fall short of the means to cut through pipes.
It also has an ergonomically designed X-CEL knob which makes it easy to adjust the blade and administer a clean cut. The body of the cutter is also made of a lightweight and durable aluminum alloy casting.
The following are some of the features, pros, and cons of the steel pipe cutter:
Features
- This steel cutter has well-made alloy steel grinding blades that remain sharp for cutting through metal, for a long time.
- The X-CEL knob makes it easy to secure a good grip while turning the cutter, making the process of cutting a lot smoother.
- It has a spare blade and fold-away deburrer that ensures a clean cut.
- The steel pipe cutter comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- This pipe cutter will not only cut through steel easily but also other types of metals such as brass, copper, aluminum, etc.
- The cutter features a replaceable blade that is conveniently placed within the body of the cutter.
- The fold-away deburrer also ensures the cutter gets a better connection and grip while slicing through the metal.
- While this is not a commercial-grade tool, it is an economically-priced tool for use around the house.
Cons
- Some customers complained that the pipe pops out despite tightening after turning.
- The cutting wheel is attached too loosely and tends to wobble for thinner pipes.
You can buy the steel pipe cutter here.
AIEASY MINI Steel Tube Cutter Tool, Cutting (3-28mm) 1/8 inch to 1-1/8 inch Copper and Aluminum Tube Pipe
The AIEASY MINI steel tube cutter tool is ideal for making swift, clean, and smooth cuts for tubes and pipes. It is a great tool to use if space is restricted. It is also a lightweight tool that can fit into any toolkit and is perfectly portable.
The following are some of the features, pros, and cons of the steel tube cutter:
Features
- This steel pipe cutter has been designed especially for small diameter tubes, especially in cramped spaces.
- It has a utility capacity from ⅛ of an inch to 1⅛ inches.
- It is ideal for use with steel, soft and hard copper, brass and other types of metals.
- It has a large knurled screw knob that makes it easy to establish a grip.
Pros
- The blades have an anti-scratch electrostatic powder coating which eliminates static electricity’s effects during use.
- It has a lightweight slide and wheel housing which makes the steel pipe cutter easier to use.
- Since the tool is only two inches in height, it is ideal for use in a tight or confined space.
- It has wide use and can evenly cut other metals in addition to steel.
Cons
- This is not a commercial-grade product and is best used in informal or amateur settings, not by professionals.
- The blade does not work as well on softer pipes.
You can buy the steel pipe cutter here.
Things to Consider before Buying
There are certainly some factors you may want to keep in mind while looking for steel pipe cutters. The following are some things to keep in mind before buying steel pipe cutters:
Design
The most important element while looking for a good steel pipe cutter, I think, is the design. In many of the cutters that I have reviewed above, there are design elements that improve alignment while placing the pipe into the groove for cutting, that ensure a clean cut and remove all the residue from the cutting chamber.
Features like reamers and deburrers ensure that each cut is clean and precise. So, when you are looking for a steel pipe cutter, certainly look out for features like these.
Adjustment
What is the thickness of pipes and tubes that the steel pipe cutter can slice? Ideally, I would prefer a pipe cutter that can be adjusted to cut pipes of various diameters. A good range within which the cutter can be used is a must! You should be able to cut thick as well as thin steel pipes with a single pipe cutter, without worrying too much about how you will make these adjustments.
Ease of Use
Much of the pipe cutter’s ease of use will come from how well it has been designed. If you turn the cutter around the pipe and it does not become tight or if the pipe pops out of the cutter despite the tension being applied to it, that is not an easy cutter to use.
In short, if I have to make multiple attempts to get a single cut on the pipe, then that pipe cutter is not efficient in my book. Another factor I think contributes to ease of use is how heavy the cutter is. It should ideally be lightweight and compact enough to fit in your toolbox easily.
Versatility
While the products reviewed above are all-steel pipe cutters, they are also useful for other pipe materials as well.