Ask Me Help Desk - Cutting galvanised pipe with a metal blade saw.

Cutting galvanised pipe with a metal blade saw.

Can I cut a 3" galvanized pipe with a metal blade saw ?
I am trying to replace a piece of drain pipe located in the bsmt ceiling with abs pipe.
There is about 2'' space between the ceiling and the pipe, and I will have to cut above my head. Renting a special cutter is an option but expensive as it is such a small job.

Personnally, a side cutting power tool is preferred. In your situation, a hacksaw can be used cutting from the bottom upward. You will be there a while & use every cuss word in your vocabulary but it can be done. Allow no showers, toilet flushing, dishwashing, etc. as this may be pouring on your head. Good Luck!

An angle grinder works with the right blade.

Rent a sawzall from Home Depot for couple of hours. Buy a good "ExTreme" metal blade at the same place. It will cut through safely and the way it should - even when the pipe is overhead and in tight space.

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Like Milo said, rent or purchase a reciprocating sawzall... you will use it again I bet! It will make quick work of this for you. Be sure to buy a long bi-metal sawzall blade and wear safety goggles as well... ;)

Be careful to support the pipe(s) as you work and use a SHIELDED CLAMP (see picture) to make the transition from galvanized pipe to ABS plastic. You would order a 3" plastic x 3" plastic shielded clamp (even though going to galvanized pipe... same sizes).

Good luck.

MARK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Rent a sawzall from Home Depot for couple of hours. Buy a good "ExTreme" metal blade at the same place. It will cut through safely and the way it should - even when the pipe is overhead and in tight space.

Johannes, Ratchet cutter is for Cast Iron. Cast Iron "snaps" when under pressure. Galvanized pipe will not. You need to cut it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Rent a sawzall from Home Depot for couple of hours. Buy a good "ExTreme" metal blade at the same place. It will cut through safely and the way it should - even when the pipe is overhead and in tight space.

I am now wondering is it cast iron or galvanised pipe I want to cut.
Thanks Very much for so much pointed free advise.

Johannes

I just checked the pictures I had taken and it definitely looks like galvanised pipe.
I am not sure how I can share these picture on the net?
Both ends of the pipe are treaded on to the cast iron stack, in a Y at one end and as a connector at the other end. Would it be possible to unscrew this pipe at all?
I would be glad to email the pictures.

Thanks for all the help.

Johannnes.

Post pictures using Go Advanced/Manage attachments. Use the free program IrfanView - Official Homepage - one of the most popular viewers worldwide to re-size if necessary.

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Johannes W...

Galvanized pipe is typically silver or gray and is threaded. Cast iron pipe is distinctly black and (usually) has no threads.

Check out the picture below. You can see the galvanized pipe coming out of the top of the cast iron fitting (on bottom). PVC plastic pipe goes to the left.

Which pipe looks like your pipe?

Let us know.

MARK

Quote:

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Johannes W...

Galvanized pipe is typically silver or gray in color and is threaded. Cast iron pipe is distinctly black and (usually) has no threads.

Check out the picture below. You can see the galvanized pipe coming out of the top of the cast iron fitting (on bottom). PVC plastic pipe goes to the left.

Which pipe looks like your pipe?

Let us know.

MARK

Thanks Mark.

Definitely Galvanized pipe. Tell me how I can arttach a picture to the message,
So you can see if I might be able to unscrew it?

Johannes

POSTING PICTURES AGAIN:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbi...ml#post1521654

Here is how you attach a picture to the post.
1. Click on advance.
2. When the page opens, Click on the attachment icon is on right side of smile face.
3. Manage attachment will open.
4. Click Browse, the Choose file window will open.
5. select your pictueres and double click wait untell the picture is uploaded in the top Browse box.
6. Click the top upload button on the righ, wait until you see the link shows in the upload file from a URL.
7. Close the manage attachments window.
8. Click Submitt Answer and you are done, Good Luck.

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by afaroo

Here is how you attach a picture to the post.
1. Click on advance.
2. When the page opens, Click on the attachment icon is on right side of smile face.
3. Manage attachment will open.
4. Click Browse, the Choose file window will open.
5. select your pictueres and double click wait untell the picture is uploaded in the top Browse box.
6. Click the top upload button on the righ, wait untill you see the link shows in the upload file from a URL.
7. Close the manage attachments window.
8. Click Submitt Answer and you are done, Good Luck.

John

Great John, I will try thisright now.

3 Attachment(s)

Here are the pictures. Is there a way to unscrew this pipe. Pictures show both ends of the pipe. Also the othe side of the cast iron conAttachment 16257

Attachment 16258

Attachment 16259nector on other side.

It appears to me it is painted galvanized pipe (pic 2) that attaches to Cast Iron Hub fitting ( pic 1).

Cut off this galvanized pipe about 2" before Left and Right fittings. Here, be careful: it is heavy and will drop down quickly as you cut. Have somebody else to hold the pipe while you cut it. Wear gloves and goggles. Insert ABS pipe and connect with No-Hub / Fernco couplings. I doubt you will be able to unscrew the piece one side as shown in pic #2 and 3.

Great response and answer.
Cutting with a metal saw (hacksaw) I understand now will be very hard.

Thanks Milo