Copper - Cutting the Tubing

   The best tool to trim copper pipe is this tubing cutter. Slide it into place and turn the knob until the jaws grip the pipe, but do not tighten so much you crimp the pipe. Rotate the cutter once around the pipe. Tighten the knob and rotate the tool again. Continue in this fashion until the pipe is cut.
   The cutter leaves a burr on the pipe end which reduces its diameter. Twist the cutter's de-burring blade in the pipe end to restore its dimension.
   If you just need to cut a few pieces of copper, you can use a hacksaw and de-burr the pipe with a round file.

   If you try to cut steel pipe with a copper tubing cutter, you'll ruin its blade. Steel pipe requires a heavy-duty pipe cutter, which is too cumbersome to use on copper.