Saw Aid

Sawing Aid for PVC Pipes

PVC pipes, mostly made of unplasticized hard PVC, are primarily used in construction, domestic engineering, and horticulture. They serve for the safe transport of liquids and are often used as protective casings. Due to their corrosion resistance, durability, and versatile applications, they are particularly popular. In this project, I used them for the piping of a pool installation. Typically, dimensions of 32 mm, 50 mm, and 63 mm are used. For precise cutting results, a Japanese saw, such as a Ryoba or Kataba, is particularly suitable. However, freehand cutting often makes it difficult to achieve perfectly straight cuts.

In woodworking, there are various cutting aids, but they are only partially suitable for use on pipes. For this reason, I developed a sawing aid that can be easily slid onto or attached to the pipe or hose. Magnets inserted from the back reliably hold the saw blade in position, so only the cutting motion needs to be performed. This allows precise, straight cuts to be made even freehand and in various working situations. On the saw slot side, there is a thin filament layer that also protects the saw blade. The color coding allows for quick assignment to the appropriate pipe dimension. I keep all three versions readily available in my toolbox. In addition to the standard length, I have developed a short version that simplifies working in particularly tight spaces.

Printing

Printing is straightforward and can be done on almost any 3D printer. Support structures are not required; an AMS is also not needed.

Material

Since a certain elasticity is required for the function, PETG is particularly well suited.
Additionally, magnets with a diameter of 10 mm are required. The height of the magnets can be between 2 mm and 5 mm.