Cutting lead pipe

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I just used a hatchet and stump on the cable sheathing I got. Fast and no dust. The hatchet had a wide flat blade though, not a boy scout model.

[remy3424]

Well, it depends on the size I have decided. If it is half to .75" water pipe or cable sheathing, I found a small bypass hand pruner was very adequate to cut it down to pot sized lengths. But the big 2 to 3" phone cable needs a solid cut from a sharp ax on a wood block. Still don't understand using a saw for soft lead. The hand pruner worked well to score the phone cable sheathing (it think it was maybe 20-pair size) to break it open to pull the copper phone wires out, then just snip, snip, snip to length. Someone mentioned a large cable cutter, this should like work great for larger stuff, but I doubt many have access to one. I guess there are a lot of options, you likely own something that will make short work out of it, many good ideas here.

[Trailboss]

Definitely not an angle grinder with mini thin disc, Tin snips are ok. Chisel , Score and snap with sharp knife works too on flat sections ....knowing a little bit about sheet lead sort of guides u as to what tools u might use to cut it. When I’m desperate and in a hurry I admit I have Just torn it with my bare hands but it’s hard yakka and that sort of thing leads to stuffed up arthritis hands for old tradesmen too dumb to go look for some snips

[phidelt208]

I've used a chisel and hammer, but find a sawzall works best and I'm not wasting time.

[usedtobeyoung]

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-7...saw-63408.html

I like the look of this saw, I think I'll buy one just to try out. I'm guessing it's a lot more useful than I can imagine.

[mazo kid]

I have cut up over 500 pounds of lead water pipe. The thing that worked the fastest, easiest, cheapest was the limb lopper. It cut anything that would fit in the shear effortlessly.

[GregLaROCHE]

Some people use chainsaws to cut sailboat keels into manageable sizes.
Most of all make sure there isn’t any moisture trapped inside when you go to melt them down. Otherwise, you will have a visit from the tinsel fairy.

[Drm50]

I have a pair of cable cutters that make short work of any lead pipe that fits, 1.5” diameter. Bigger gets the Sawz All.

[15meter]

I have cut up over 500 pounds of lead water pipe. The thing that worked the fastest, easiest, cheapest was the limb lopper. It cut anything that would fit in the shear effortlessly.

Never thought of that, always used an axe to cut to length(telephone cable). To rip along the length, what end up working the best for me was an air hammer with a panel ripper:

https://www.toolpan.com/Grey-Pneumat...SABEgJQ0vD_BwE

One of these walk right down the pipe, I used it on the phone cable to open it up to clean out all the silly little wires they stuff in there.

All the guys I know who worked for the phone company have retired. No more phone lead. Bummer. It's good stuff.

[Werkur9]

A Circular saw is the best option for cutting the lead pipe.

[Chill Wills]

The thing that worked the fastest, easiest, cheapest was the limb lopper. It cut anything that would fit in the shear effortlessly.

That was my experience too. Some years ago I got a large amount of lead pipe with very thick walls and maybe 2.5" in diameter. I tried the garden limb sheer thinking I may wreck it or it may not work. To my surprise, it cut the pipe fast and easy. I made short work of it in no time. No damage to the tool.

[gbrown]

I have used a battery operated reciprocating saw with coarse toothed blade and it was quick and easy. Flattened it out with a mallet first.

[brassrat]

This got me thinking about a scrap shower liner that I been saving for a couple yrs. It was folded up and around 100lbs + I went with the battery Sawzsall and cut into smaller hunks in a couple minutes

[DME72]

i almost always use a battery operated saw. older metal cutting blade seems to work well for me. make sure there is no water left in the pipe when you go to melt it down. a small hatchet that is sharp also works pretty good.

[5614estell]

Limb lopper for service pipe. Easy no dust or shavings

[Buzzard II]

Some people use chainsaws to cut sailboat keels into manageable sizes.
Most of all make sure there isn’t any moisture trapped inside when you go to melt them down. Otherwise, you will have a visit from the tinsel fairy.

I agree about checking for any moisture before melting the pipe. The tinsel fairy will remind you if you forget! I use 1)Hacksaw, 2) Sawz All, 3) Snips- for sheet lead. Good luck!
Bob

[Jtarm]

I have used a battery operated reciprocating saw with coarse toothed blade and it was quick and easy. Flattened it out with a mallet first.

+1 on the coarse tooth. I use demolition blades, not the fine bi-metal ones.

Be careful of kick-backs.

[iomskp]

Pruning shears for the small pieces and an axe and a wood block for the bigger bits.

[brstevns]

Have some that is 4x5x12 inches long. What to use, thinking Sawzall?

[wilecoyote]

Have some that is 4x5x12 inches long. What to use, thinking Sawzall?

...yes, here. and a sturdy bench vise.
a face mask wouldn't hurt,
and something to collect the shavings, to melt too.