plumbing
Are there tools for cutting copper pipes that work faster than manual tube cutters like this one? I have the latter type of cutter, and it works fine, but it takes a fair amount of time and effort to cut a pipe with it. I'm assuming there must be tools that work faster but I'm not sure what I'd have to search for because I don't know what they are called.
I know I could always use a reciprocating saw for a fast cut, but I'm looking for something that would be both fast and cut the pipe cleanly.
Your most likely solution is to create the connector you need with two pieces - one to go from PEX (assuming that's what you have since Vinyl is not an approved plumbing material) to copper and one to go from 1/2" to 3/4".
When working with copper you generally have to sweat (aka solder) fittings, or less frequently screw them together (generally that's for end point connections like drop ears).
Lets start with what you need:
For your PEX connector, get a 1/2" to 3/4" PEX to female pipe thread connector (FPTC)
and a 3/4" - 3/4" copper male threaded adapter
Be sure to get the copper adapter that will fit over the end of your copper pipe as some adapters are sized to fit inside other fittings while others are sized to receive pipe. Test fit them in the store.
You will need to solder the 3/4" copper to the male threaded adapter. See this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doqoEJJOdYA
Note: 3-4 seconds of solder is too long. Notice how much solder drips off of his fitting in that video. That solder is molten metal and it will land on something. 1 second is plenty - you're looking for somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2" of solder to melt and vanish into the fitting.
Allow that fitting to cool completely (use a damp cloth to speed the process), then wrap silicone tape around the male threads. Wrap in the direction of the threads, and only put about 2 layers of silicone over the threads.
Now very tightly screw the female to pex adapter onto the male threads. Make this fitting as tight as you can using two wrenches - one to hold the pipe steady and the other to tighten the fitting.
Finally insert your pex tube firmly into the sharkbite fitting of your female connector.
One option is don't cut under the walls. Cut up to a couple of inches away from the wall and stop. Continue a couple of inches past the other side of the wall. Then you can just dig under the slab "bridge".
Best Answer
A compact miter saw with an appropriate blade would make quick work of things. You'd still have to clean up the cuts to eliminate burrs.
You could also use a circular saw, but you'd want to take care to keep your cuts square.
Most plumbers don't want to lug that stuff around the jobsite, though. (Even compact cordless circular saws are not something that fits in a tool belt). Once you get skilled with a tubing cutter it's a matter of about 10 seconds, even with 3/4" or larger pipe. You aren't going to reduce that enough with power tools to net much time savings.