USE/CARE OF HANDTOOLS & MEASURING TOOLS - OD1621 - LESSON 2/TASK 2
(1) Pipe Cutters.
Two pipe cutters are issued; one has a cutting
capacity of 1/8 to 2 inches, and the other from 2 to 4 inches.
The pipe
cutter has a special alloy-steel cutting wheel and two pressure rollers
which are adjusted and tightened by turning the handle.
(2) Tube Cutters. Some types of tube cutters closely resemble pipe
cutters, except that they are of lighter construction.
A hand screw feed
tubing cutter of 1/8 inch to 1 1/4 inch capacity has two rollers with
cutouts located off center, so that cracked flares may be held in them and
cut off without waste of tubing.
It also has a retractable reamer blade
that is adjusted by turning a knob.
Other types of tube cutters shown
(figure 121 on the previous page) are designed to cut tubing up to and
including 3/4 and 1 inch outside diameter (o.d.).
Some cutters have the
feed screw covered to protect the threads against dirt and damage.
(3) Flaring Tools.
Flaring tools are used to flare soft copper,
brass, or aluminum to make up 45 flare joints.
The single-flaring tool
consists of a split die block that has holes for 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16,
and 1/2 inch o.d. tubing, a clamp to lock the tube in the die block, a yoke
that slips over the die block that has a compressor screw, and a cone that
forms a 45 flare or a bell shape on the end of the tube. The screw has a
T-handle. A double-flaring tool has the additional feature of adapters that
turn in the edge of the tube before a regular 450 double flare is made. It
consists of a die block with holes for 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and 1/2 inch
tubing, a yoke with a screw and a flaring cone, plus 5 adapters for
different size tubing, all carried in a metal case.
c. Use of Pipe Cutters.
(1) Measuring Threaded Pipe. Before you cut pipe, make certain the
correct required length is determined. There are three methods of measuring
threaded pipe, and you must understand these methods if the pipe is to be
cut to the correct lengths (figure 123 on the following page).
(a) End-To-End Method.
This measurement includes the threaded
portions of the pipe. The pipe is measured from end-to-end.
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