Cutting PVC for caves

kimmisc

kimmisc

is in your closet.
Mar 12, 2007
963
0
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Florence, SC
I know this is going to be such a stupid question, but I don't own power tools. :) What should I purchase to cut PVC pipes? One of those saws with the straight blade that goes up and down? If so, what is it called?

I'm really embarrassed to ask this, but I know plenty of you will have had experience doing this..

Oh, and is there any softer material that can be used to make caves, which can be cut with maybe scissors, yet withstand having gravel glued onto it?

One more thing. What have you found to be the BEST adhesive to use? I am thinking hot glue gun would be easiest and least messy?
 
I don't see any reason why you couldn't use a hand saw. What diameter PVC are you cutting?
 
Ceramic Tile Saw works perfectly as it doesnt leave any rough edges.
 
The glue gun Glue sticks that you may have in your country may differ than our in the UK, but i know ours here are not for use in aquaria, well, not the ones that i have seen here. MG gave a good answer for sticking and i agree on the 100% silicon..

The "up and down" motion saw that you maybe refering to is called a Reciprocating saw...another name that is used is a Jig-Saw...

Plastic drain pipe or waste pipe is always a good solution as its easy to cut and manage, you can get lots of shapes and sizes. Of course, with the waste pipe, you can buy the proper cutters so you get a nice clean cut..Many people have used silicon to coat the outsides of pvc pipe and used that to adhere gravel or sand to the outside which will help to disguise what it actually is and blend in with the rest of the aquarium..

Hope that helps a little...

Niko
 
for cutting the pvc you'll want to use a hacksaw....the teeth are finer than a standard handsaw and will cut the pipe more cleanly and easily, then you can sand edges with fine sandpaper to smooth them out. A plumbing supply shop will likely carry a pvc saw if you want to go that route

http://catalog.starrett.com/catalog/catalog/groups.asp?GroupID=14

I don't think an electric jigsaw is the route you want to go here....I think cutting pipe with this tool will prove difficult for you.

agreement here that silicone is the best bet for adhesive....hot glue is unlikely to adhere very well, and as Niko says, may not be safe for aquarium use.
 
What about using styrofoam cups with siliconed on sand and gravel? Think that would work and be safe?
 
Okay I'm going to just look for the pipes and stuff. I'm just kinda scared about trying to saw pvc, especially lengthwise to take the bottom 25-30% off. Keep your fingers crossed that I still have fingers to cross tonight.
 
.... why buy pipe and have to deal with cutting...??? why not look around at a local hardware, hd, lowes, etc... for pvc fittings... sch 40 drainage fittings are cheap - like $.34 for a coupling, using couplings , 90s or tees, etc could make some interesting caves. just a thought..
 
How about plastic flower pots? depending on the type you could cut it with scissors.

Q
 
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