For best results when using PVC pipes or any material for that matter, you should learn how to bevel.
There is a selection of different tools and methods that you can try to get the angle that you want in order for the pipes to fit together seamlessly.
What Is Pipe Beveling?
An angle that forms between the edge of a plastic pipe or tube is known as a pipe bevel and has been shaped at a specific angle.
Without proper beveling, the pipe cannot be welded successfully.
Pipe beveling is also handy for deburring the ends of cut pipes, which is useful for both the safety and appearance of the exposed pipe.
What Is The Difference Between Beveling And Chamfering?
The primary distinction between chamfering and beveling is that a chamfer joins two sides at a 45-degree angle, but a bevel can be at any angle.
Beveling PVC With A Grinder
In terms of beveling equipment, the manual grinding approach is the least expensive but can be a bit risky if you are a beginner. For those who are new to this, it’s worth checking out how to properly bevel PVC pipe for more detailed guidance.
This is because the process of using a manual grinder to bevel a pipe takes time and requires a trained operator to refer to the plastic pipe manufacturer’s specifications.
Hand grinders tend to make a lot of mess when beveling and you may find it pretty difficult to maintain your lines and have more consistent bevels throughout the pipe.
A hand grinder can also be quite dangerous if you are not experienced with it. You must wear safety goggles and gloves before you use one and do not rush.
Other Ways To Bevel A PVC Pipe
f you rather not use a hand grinder to bevel PVC pipe (or a CPVC plastic pipe), you can try these methods instead, and also learn how to prepare PVC piping to be cut for a better understanding of the preparatory steps.
Portable Beveling Machine
A portable beveling machine is available in a number of configurations and is considerably safer than other tools.
A cordless pipe beveler is particularly useful for beveling established piping systems, as it can cut through most PVC glued joints.
The fact that these devices are portable and that the user may carry them to the pipe saves time, which is their greatest advantage.
A cordless pipe beveler can also shape pipe interiors.
Stationary Beveling Machine
Stationary beveling equipment provides the most options and diversity for pipe beveling. A number of tool combinations may be used to create almost any sort of pipe bevel shape.
They are designed to produce high levels of productivity and is easy to integrate into automated manufacturing lines, providing for operator independence.
Stationary beveling machines have several advantages, including the fact that standard carbide cutting inserts are cheap to replace when necessary, that they are simple to set up and require little maintenance, that they guarantee the cheapest price and fastest cycle time per bevel, that they provide a safe and clean working environment, that they offer a wide variety of machining options, and that they can work with various pipe or tube materials without the need for a skilled operator.
So, this is good for making precise bevels on a larger plastic pipe and cutting through solvent cement glue. Additionally, understanding how to mark or score a PVC pipe can be beneficial in this process.
Finally, fixed pipe beveling equipment ensures consistent pipe bevel quality, which has a direct influence on the pipe welding quality.
Choosing The Right Bevel Type
It is important to choose the right beveling technique. It is also critical to select the correct bevel type.
The most common bevel measurement at the pipe face is 37.5 degrees. As a result of the material being chopped off at this angle, the two pieces of pipe are at a 75-degree angle.
Other bevel types include I type butt joint, V, X, J, and single U bevels.
I-Type Bevel
The I Type Butt’s joint is not perfectly beveled. Only two components are required to connect two pipes in parallel.
There are no angles required for this joint. But, it is occasionally confused with beveled joints.
V-Bevel
The V bevel is the most basic type of bevel. To create this angle, remove metal at a 45-degree angle from the top to the bottom border.
The phrase “V bevel” refers to the two components fitting together to produce a V shape.
X-Bevel
V and X bevels are closely linked. Only one side of the pipe is made of V bevels. In X bevels, it is removed from both sides.
The angle of removal will be half as acute as with V bevels. Welders combine these two sides to make a stronger joint.
J-Bevel
J and V bevels are both extremely common. However, the two are separate. It is not necessary to cut with a J bevel from top to bottom.
A portion of metal is left unfinished at the weld point. A J’s bevel is not straight. It descends with a little curve, similar to the letter J.
J bevels are trickier to produce. Professionals argue that J bevels have several advantages. The bonding layer becomes more uniform.
Furthermore, as compared to V bevels, a J bevel requires less material to fill in.
Single U-Bevel
Single U joints are the most expensive to manufacture. Because of their radian shape, they are difficult to regulate.
The single U joint needs less material than the double V joint. It also makes the joint stronger.
Each type of bevel joint has its own set of technical criteria. For the best results, use a stationary beveling machine.
This approach is not only convenient and time-saving, but it is also the most secure. Several organizations now automate the pipe beveling procedure.
Summary
Even though using a hand grinder to bevel a PVC pipe is the most affordable option, it is not always the best.
Particularly if you are a beginner with using power tools, you should take extra care with being safe and maintaining clean cuts as the grinder can turn this into a challenge.
Fortunately, there are different tools that you can try and also different types of bevels which may work better than others depending on what results you are looking for.