The best tool for trimming copper pipe is a tubing cutter.
Just slide it into place on a pipe and turn the knob until the jaws grip, but
don't tighten it so much that you crimp the pipe. Rotate the cutter once
around the pipe, then tighten the knob and rotate the tool again. Continue in
this fashion until the pipe is cut.
The cutter will leave a burr inside the pipe end, which reduces the pipe's
diameter. Twist the cutter's deburring blade in the
pipe end to restore the proper dimension. If you need to cut just a few
pipes, you can use a hacksaw and debar the pipe with a round file.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Tubing cutter or Hacksaw and round file
