Reed RS7290 Ratchet Shears for PE, PEX, PP, and ABS Pipe

Plastic Pipe Cutter with Replaceable Blade and One-Hand Ratchet

Overview

Cutting plastic pipe one-handed usually means bracing the pipe against something while struggling with a dull or undersized tool. The Reed RS7290 ratchet shears use a ratchet mechanism to cut through PE, PEX, PP, and ABS pipe up to 2 inches in multiple short squeezes. This plastic pipe cutter weighs 2.4 lbs and fits in a tool belt for field work.

Key Features

• One-Hand Ratchet Mechanism. Pull the handles apart, place the pipe against the cradle, and squeeze. Release to engage the ratchet tooth, then squeeze again. The RS7290 works through 2-inch pipe in multiple short strokes. Plumbers and gas line installers use a one-hand ratchet pipe cutter like this to keep their other hand on the pipe.
• Replaceable and Sharpenable Blade. The hardened steel blade cuts clean edges on soft plastics. Sharpen it with a fine whetstone at a 30-degree angle when it dulls. When it wears out, swap in the RS7290B replacement blade (part #94555). A PEX pipe cutter with a dull blade crushes instead of cutting, so the ability to sharpen and replace keeps cuts clean.
• 2 Inch Capacity at 2.4 lbs. The RS7290 handles pipe up to 2 inches nominal IPS (2.4 inches actual OD / 63mm). At 13.25 inches long and 2.4 lbs, it stays light enough for overhead and ladder work. For anyone shopping for a 2-inch plastic pipe cutter, the RS7290 covers the most common residential and commercial pipe sizes in PE, PEX, PP, and ABS.
• Fully Rebuildable with 23 Individual Parts. Reed sells every replacement part for the RS7290: blade, handle, shear body, ratchet pawl, compression spring, torsion spring, rocker, links, and pins. A worn component means a part swap, not a new tool. Contractors who use a pipe cutter for gas lines every day appreciate this kind of serviceability.

Material Compatibility

The Reed RS7290 ratchet shears cut the following pipe materials up to 2 inches nominal IPS:

What it cuts:

• PE (polyethylene): gas distribution lines, water mains, irrigation
• PEX (cross-linked polyethylene): residential plumbing, radiant floor heating
• PP (polypropylene): industrial piping, laboratory drainage
• ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene): drain, waste, and vent piping
• PVC: low-pressure irrigation lines only

What it does NOT cut:

• PVC or CPVC for solvent cement weld connections, high-pressure lines, or high-efficiency vent lines. The blade can cause hairline fractures at the cut. For those applications, use Reed Quick Release Tubing Cutters.
• Metal pipe or reinforced tubing of any kind.

What pipe materials can ratchet shears cut? Soft plastics and rubber. The RS7290 is a PE pipe cutting tool and PEX pipe cutter that handles most soft plastic pipe used in residential and commercial plumbing. Can ratchet shears cut PVC pipe? Only for low-pressure irrigation. On PVC or CPVC intended for solvent cement joints, the blade may create hairline fractures that compromise the weld. Use a rotary tubing cutter for those applications.

Specifications

Cutting Tips

The RS7290 includes these field tips for clean cuts:

• Cold or brittle pipe. Warm the pipe with a heat source before cutting. Do not use a direct flame. Cold plastics can crack or shatter under blade pressure. Wear eye protection when cutting cold or brittle pipe.
• Thick-walled pipe. Use slow, even strokes and let the ratchet mechanism do the work. Applying light oil to the mechanism reduces friction and prevents rust.
• Flexible thin-walled pipe. Rotate the shears slightly around the pipe between ratchet strokes to keep the cut even and prevent the wall from collapsing inward.
• Blade maintenance. How to cut PEX pipe cleanly starts with a sharp blade. Sharpen both sides evenly using a fine hard whetstone at a 30-degree angle, drawing the stone into the blade. A sharp edge produces cleaner cuts with less hand effort.

Applications

• Gas line installers carry this plastic pipe cutter to cut PE pipe at the trench. One-hand operation lets you hold the pipe steady while cutting with the other.
• PEX runs through walls and ceilings where a one hand ratchet pipe cutter fits better than a two-handed tool. The RS7290 cuts cleanly in tight joist bays and mechanical chases. For tight-access jobs where a pointed blade helps, see the Reed RSP2 ratchet shears.
• Municipal water crews cut PE mains and service lines at the trench. A PE pipe cutting tool that works in one hand speeds up the job when the other hand is bracing the pipe.
• Irrigation contractors cut PE, PP, and PVC irrigation pipe with a pipe cutter for gas lines and water lines. The RS7290 handles all three materials in one tool.

Buy Reed RS7290 Ratchet Shears Online from Cleanflow

Cleanflow Utility Supply Company is an authorized Reed supplier. The RS7290 is a 2-inch plastic pipe cutter with one-hand ratchet operation, a replaceable hardened steel blade, and 23 individually available replacement parts. Plumbers, gas line installers, and irrigation contractors across Canada and the USA buy Reed ratchet shears and other pipe tools from Cleanflow.

Free shipping on orders over $199. Returns accepted within 30 days. Email info@cleanflow.ca for returns or exchanges.