How to Cut a Metal Pipe Close to the Floor

Sometimes when remodeling, renovating or repairing a home you find yourself in a situation where you have very little room to work. For example, many plumbing jobs will require you to cut a metal pipe off at the floor. This is hard to do since many saws are relatively wide and cannot facilitate a cut so close to the floor. Fortunately, you can use a reciprocating saw to complete the task.

1/8-inch plywood
Hand drill
Hole saw

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a hole into a 1/8-inch thick piece of plywood that will allow you to slide the plywood sheet over the pipe so you can rest the sheet on the floor. Use a sheet at least 12 inches square.
- 2
  Place the plywood sheet over the pipe and rest it on the floor. The sheet will protect the floor from saw marks left by the reciprocating saw blade.
- 3
  Place the tip of the reciprocating saw blade against the side of the pipe. The blade on a reciprocating saw is approximately 12 inches long. You can flex the blade by pressing the blade against the floor and then by rotating the saw housing upward to position the blade as close to the floor as possible.
- 4
  Pull the trigger lightly on the saw and slowly cut. As you pull the trigger, the reciprocating saw moves forward and backward across the surface of the pipe.

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