Can I use an angle grinder to cut a copper pipe?

Need to cut copper pipe fast but don’t have a tubing cutter? Using the wrong method creates a rough, burred edge that won’t seal properly, causing major problems later.

Yes, you can cut copper pipe with an angle grinder using a thin (1mm) abrasive metal cutoff disc. It is very fast, but it will leave a significant burr on both the inside and outside of the pipe that must be completely removed before fitting.

This is a question we get a lot, especially from our B2B clients in the plumbing¹, HVAC², and demolition industries. As a factory, Reliable, that has produced abrasives for nearly three decades, my answer is always, "Yes, but it’s a trade-off." You are trading the perfect, clean cut of a dedicated pipe cutter for raw speed. An angle grinder³ is a brute-force tool in this application. It will absolutely get the job done, but it creates extra work to clean up the cut afterwards. Understanding when to use it versus when to use a specialized tool is the key to professional, leak-proof results.

What is the best thing to cut copper pipe with?

You’re tired of messy, slow cuts from a hacksaw. A rough edge on a copper pipe means leaks and expensive callbacks, costing you precious time and money.

The best tool is an automatic tubing cutter. It provides a perfectly clean, square, and burr-free cut with minimal effort. For tight spaces, a compact C-style tubing cutter is ideal. These tools are designed specifically for the job and ensure a perfect seal.

In our experience supplying professionals, the right tool saves more money than it costs. A dedicated tubing cutter⁴ is the perfect example. It works by clamping onto the pipe and using a small, hardened steel wheel to score a line. As you rotate the tool, you slowly tighten it, and the wheel cuts deeper until the pipe snaps off with a clean edge. There’s almost no burr left behind. An angle grinder is on the opposite end of the spectrum; it’s all about speed, making it great for demolition where the ends will be discarded. A hacksaw⁵ is the low-cost option, but it’s slow and very difficult to get a perfectly square cut. I’ve seen experienced plumbers carry all three on their trucks. They use the tubing cutter for new installations, the hacksaw for an odd job, and the angle grinder with one of our RL cutoff discs for ripping out old pipes.

Comparing Your Cutting Options

What should you not use an angle grinder for?

An angle grinder is so versatile it’s tempting to use it for everything. But one wrong move, like using it on the wrong material or in the wrong way, can lead to disaster.

Never use an angle grinder for tasks it’s not designed for. This includes cutting wood with a toothed blade, using a thin cutoff wheel for side grinding, using the tool without its safety guard, or cutting materials like glass that can shatter from thermal shock.

The angle grinder is one of the most useful, and most dangerous, tools in any workshop. In my factory, safety is our first priority, both in how our abrasives are made and how they are used. The rules for what not to do are absolute. The most dangerous mistake is mounting a toothed wood-cutting blade; this is the number one cause of horrific kickback injuries⁶. The second is using a thin cutoff wheel⁷ to grind on its side. These wheels are only strong on their edge and can easily shatter from lateral pressure. Finally, never cut materials that can’t handle the localized heat and vibration. Glass will shatter, and most plastics will melt and release toxic fumes while clogging the wheel. Adhering to these prohibitions is not a suggestion; it is a requirement for safe operation.

The Critical Safety Boundaries

Does copper pipe spark when cut?

You’re working in a sensitive area where sparks could pose a fire or explosion risk. Assuming all metals create big sparks when cut with a grinder is a common but incorrect belief.

No, pure copper is a non-ferrous metal and does not create sparks when cut. However, the abrasive material in the cutoff wheel can create some minor sparks, and if you accidentally hit a steel fastener or bracket, you will see significant sparking.

This is a great question that goes to the heart of material science. The bright sparks you see when cutting steel are tiny particles of iron (a ferrous metal) burning rapidly as they fly through the air. It’s a process of rapid oxidation. Copper, along with aluminum and brass, is a non-ferrous metal⁸. It does not contain iron, so it doesn’t produce those classic, bright sparks. This is a critical safety distinction. For our clients working in shipyards or on gas lines, "hot work" permits are required for any spark-producing job. Understanding which metals spark is part of their basic safety training. While the abrasive disc itself can generate a few, dull, low-energy sparks from its own material, the effect is drastically different from cutting steel. Always be aware of your surroundings; if the copper pipe⁹ is held by a steel clamp, hitting the clamp will definitely produce sparks.

Sparks and Metals: A Simple Guide

How thick of metal can an angle grinder cut?

You’re facing a thick piece of steel and wondering if your small angle grinder is up for the job. Pushing a tool beyond its capacity will burn out the motor and ruin your cut.

A standard 115mm (4.5”) angle grinder can effectively cut metal up to 10-12mm (around 1/2 inch) thick. For thicker materials, a larger 180mm (7") or 230mm (9”) grinder is better, capable of cutting through 25mm (1 inch) steel or more with multiple passes.

The cutting capacity of an angle grinder is limited by two main things: motor power and disc diameter. A smaller 115mm grinder has a smaller motor and a disc that provides a maximum cutting depth¹⁰ of about 30-35mm, but you can’t practically use all of that at once. Trying to cut material thicker than about 12mm in a single pass will bog down the motor and overheat the disc. The key to cutting thicker material is to make multiple, progressively deeper passes. For our industrial clients in heavy fabrication, they don’t even bother with small grinders for cutting stock. They almost exclusively use larger 180mm and 230mm grinders. These have much more powerful motors and larger discs that can handle thicker plate steel with more efficiency and less strain on the tool and operator.

Matching Grinder Size to Metal Thickness

Conclusion

An angle grinder can cut copper, but a tubing cutter is superior for clean fits. Always use the correct tool and safety procedures for every cutting task you perform.