Watch the Planetary Cutter achieve clean burr-free cuts on thin-wall stainless tubing
Overview
The Planetary Pipe Cutting Series delivers clean, cold cuts on pipes from 5mm to 330mm OD. Using orbital cutting technology, a crenellated blade rotates 360° around the pipe, cutting from outside-in without generating heat. This makes planetary cutters the preferred choice for stainless steel and other materials where heat-affected zones are unacceptable.
Key Advantages
- Cold cutting - No heat-affected zone, weld directly after cutting
- Clean edges - Burr-free cuts reduce secondary finishing
- Dual capability - Flex series cuts and bevels in one operation
- Fast cycle - Complete cuts in seconds, not minutes
Which Model Should You Choose?
For sanitary tubing and small HVAC work (5-78mm):
The Metabo 3.0 is compact enough for tight spaces and handles the most common small tube sizes. If you only do cutting (no beveling), this is your everyday workhorse.
For general HVAC, plumbing, and light industrial (20-170mm):
The Flex 6.5 is our best-seller for a reason—it covers the sweet spot of commercial and industrial pipe sizes, and the beveling capability means one tool for cut-and-prep work. If you’re buying your first planetary cutter, start here.
For larger process piping (59-220mm):
Choose the Flex 8.5 when you regularly work with 3” to 8” piping. The extra capacity justifies the additional investment for fabricators handling medium-bore process lines.
For main headers and large diameter work (140-330mm):
The Flex 13.5 handles the big stuff. If you’re doing large-bore stainless fabrication—food processing, pharmaceutical, or chemical piping—this is the model.
For high-volume production:
The Automatic Planetary Cutter adds motorized rotation for shops doing repetitive cuts all day. Reduces operator fatigue and maintains consistent speed across hundreds of cuts.
Flex vs Metabo: The Real Difference
Don’t overthink this. Flex = Cut + Bevel. Metabo = Cut only.
If your next step after cutting is welding, get Flex—you’ll prep the bevel in the same operation. If you’re just cutting to length and the pipe goes to another process, Metabo is lighter and cheaper.
Cutting Speed by Material
| Material | Speed Setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | High (5-6) | Standard cutting |
| Stainless Steel | Low (1-2) | Prevents work hardening |
| Copper | Medium (3-4) | Soft material |
| Aluminum | Medium-High (4-5) | Adjust for alloy |
Customization Options
- Blade Type — Standard or heavy-duty blades for specific materials
- Voltage — 220V/50Hz standard, other configurations on request
- Capacity Range — Extended jaw sets for non-standard pipe diameters
- Beveling Capability — Flex series includes beveling attachment
