Cutting Hydropex pipe

Cecosugi · 12-10-2009, 11:37 AM

Those of you that have worked with HydroPex Lines...

We have a double hydropex line running (underground) from our boiler (outside) into our home, stubbed up next to our water heater. We need to connect the line to the water heater, as well as the return from the radiant flooring. If you have worked with hydropex lines, you know that it is a very tough material with insulation inside, as well as the two pex lines. In order to hook up the lines to their respective functions, we need to strip off the outer shell and foam to reveal those two pex lines. Kind of like stripping wires, except the outer shell is very tough. We only want to cut the outer shell, not accidently slip though and cut our inner pex lines.

What is the best way to cut away the tough outer shell?

Bondo · 12-10-2009, 11:55 AM

Ayuh,... I'd probably grab my sawzall,+ Carefully cut the outer casing....

Cecosugi · 12-10-2009, 11:58 AM

Just seems like an accident waiting to happen!

Bondo · 12-10-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecosugi

Just seems like an accident waiting to happen!

I guess it depends on how Handy you are....

rather than suggesting multipule tools you don't have access too,...
What sorta Tools do you have in your arsenal,..??
4" grinder,..??
dremel or bigger rotory tool,..??
'ell a plain ole Handsaw will Work, as long as your Careful....

Cecosugi · 12-10-2009, 01:40 PM

I've got a sawzall, just afraid to use it. I've got quite a few tools that I could use, but they strike me as the same kind of "go to far and you're done" tools.

I was thinking of using my dremel multi-max. I love that tool, and if I use the flush cutting blade, I think it would limit my cut. What do you think of that plan?

Bondo · 12-10-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

but they strike me as the same kind of "go to far and you're done" tools.

Ayuh,... I think you need to adjust your attitude,... Be aware of your spacial surroundings....
How thick is the outer casing,..??
How thick is the insulation to the actual water hose,..??
Now,...
Don't cut that Deep....

Be in Control of your tool,...
Cut slowly,...
Make several cuts that Aren't deep enough...
Have plenty of Light,+ wear Glasses,...
And,..
Be Careful.....

Cecosugi · 12-10-2009, 03:04 PM

Part of the problem is that the pipe is only sticking out of the gravel about 12 inches, and of course it's in a corner, with the water heater on the right and a wall on the left. So it's on the floor, in a tight spot, and can't really be rotated. Not the most flexible stuff in the world.

The covering is pretty thick, and really tough. Looks like this... http://www.pexsupply.com/HydroPEX-H5...foot-7227000-p

LOL, control is the key. I was hoping you'd say "Oh, yeah, I use a "X" and it cuts it like butter."

Alas...

Bondo · 12-10-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

So it's on the floor, in a tight spot, and can't really be rotated. Not the most flexible stuff in the world.
LOL, control is the key. I was hoping you'd say "Oh, yeah, I use a "X" and it cuts it like butter."

Ayuh,... Ok,...
I'd take my 4" grinder with a plain ole grinding wheel on it, 1/4" thick type for the Tool...
Then go to cuttin' a groove 1/2" wide, 1/2" Deep, right around it an inch above grade....
Hold the grinder so it's cutting with the kickout side, not the kickin side...(hope you can understand that 1)
Holding the grinding wheel parallel to the grade should be possible all the way around...

It'll stink, but cut.... Just take small cuts...

Cecosugi · 12-11-2009, 09:05 AM

Makes sense. We'll be working on it this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

Bondo · 12-11-2009, 09:14 AM

Ayuh,... Good Luck,+ of course, be Careful.....

Thurman · 12-11-2009, 09:38 AM

UH--IF I'm reading that link correctly, that stuff is $36.45 per foot. I don't have the answer as to how to cut it, but I do know that I would be very darn (kind wording there) careful. Keep is posted on this one, Good Luck, David

Cecosugi · 12-11-2009, 10:02 AM

Yes, David, it is freaking expensive! Hence the desire to not screw it up!! Of course, at this point, it's just a matter of extending the pex pipes up to the return and the water heater. The expensive length of it is already buried under the ground. The end that connects to the boiler outside has already been stripped. It wasn't easy, but there was more room to maneuver. We're hooking it up to the E-Classic 2300 dual fuel boiler. After the install expenses, we're looking forward to reaping the benefits from using wood to heat the house.

Yes, Bondo, I'll be very careful!