You need a pipe end ready to weld. The question is whether you get there in one setup or two.
Both routes work. The right one depends on your material, your bevel angle requirement, and how many joints your crew is running per shift. Here is a clear breakdown of pipe bevelling methods, compared so you can make the call. You can also check our complete pipe saw model comparison to confirm your machine is the right starting point before choosing a bevelling approach.
Two routes to a weld-ready pipe end
Every butt weld starts the same way: a clean, accurately bevelled pipe end. How you get there splits into two distinct approaches.
- Single pass: cut and bevel in one pass, with a blade or disc that cuts and forms the bevel simultaneously
- Separate operation: cut the pipe first, then run a dedicated pipe beveller over the end to form the bevel
Neither is universally superior. Each suits a different combination of material, volume, and weld preparation standard.
Methods compared: speed, accuracy, and requirements
The table below sets out the key differences. Use it to frame your decision before reading the detail.
- Materials covered: Single pass covers plastics, cast iron, ductile iron, and glass fibre. Separate bevelling covers any material your pipe saw can cut, including carbon steel and stainless steel.
- Bevel angle options: Single pass produces a fixed 15 degree bevel. A dedicated beveller offers adjustable settings to match your welding procedure.
- Number of setups per pipe end: Single pass requires one setup. Separate bevelling requires two: one cut, one bevel pass.
- Equipment needed: Single pass uses your existing pipe saw fitted with a Cut and Bevel blade or disc. Separate bevelling adds a standalone pipe beveller to your kit.
- Suits which volume: Single pass suits high-volume repetitive work where the fixed 15 degree angle is acceptable. Separate bevelling suits varied work where angle requirements differ from joint to joint.
- Suits which weld preparation: Single pass suits procedures that accept 15 degrees. Separate bevelling suits procedures requiring a different or adjustable angle.
- Main limitation: Single pass is limited to specific materials and a fixed angle. Separate bevelling adds a second setup and a second piece of equipment.
Route one: Cut and Bevel blades and discs
The single-pass approach uses specialist blades and discs mounted in your pipe saw. As the machine completes the cut, the bevel forms at the same time. No repositioning, no second tool.
For plastic pipes, the Cut and Bevel blade 148 and the Cut and Bevel blade 190 each produce a 15 degree bevel in a single smooth process.
For cast iron and glass fibre pipes, the Diamond Cut and Bevel disc 140 and the Diamond Cut and Bevel disc 165 deliver the same 15 degree result in one pass. If you work with cast iron and ductile iron specifically, there is dedicated guidance on matching the right machine and disc to those materials.
All four options are available through cutting heads and bevel tips for compatible machines.
Route two: a dedicated pipe beveller
When your welding procedure calls for a different angle, or when you are working with carbon steel or stainless steel, a dedicated pipe beveller is the correct tool. You cut first, then bring the beveller to the pipe end.
The Pipe Beveller 220E and the Pipe Beveller 360E both handle pipe walls up to 10 mm thick, according to their product pages. Both are designed for safe, efficient onsite use. If you are choosing between the two bevellers, a detailed comparison covers pipe range and capacity differences to help you decide.
The second setup adds time per joint, but you gain full control over the bevel angle. For jobs where the angle is specified and non-negotiable, that control is worth the extra step.
The Cut and Bevel package for Pro Series and Infinity machines
If your crew runs cast iron or ductile iron pipework at volume, the Cut and Bevel package for Pro Series and Infinity extends single-pass capability to the 360 Pro Series, 460 Pro Series, and Infinity models. If you are deciding which Pro Series machine converts most cost-effectively for your pipe diameter range, that comparison will help you choose.
The package lets these machines cut and bevel simultaneously on cast iron and ductile iron, combining the throughput advantage of a single setup with the pipe diameter range of the larger machines.
Where single-pass cutting wins: throughput
When the job calls for a 15 degree bevel on plastic, cast iron, ductile iron, or glass fibre pipe, cutting and bevelling in one pass removes an entire operation from the workflow. Fewer setups per joint means more joints per shift.
On high-volume installations, drainage networks, and district heating runs, that reduction compounds quickly across hundreds of joints. The fixed 15 degree angle is not a limitation if your welding procedure accepts it.
Single-pass also reduces the number of times the pipe end is handled and repositioned, which lowers the risk of damage to a freshly cut face before welding.
Where a separate pipe beveller wins: control
The pipe beveller vs. bevel blade decision often comes down to angle flexibility. A dedicated beveller with adjustable settings gives you the angle your procedure specifies, regardless of what that angle is.
It also opens up materials that single-pass blades and discs do not cover. Carbon steel and stainless steel pipe ends require a separate bevelling step, and that is where the Pipe Beveller 220E and 360E earn their place on the job.
For maintenance and repair work, where pipe sizes and materials vary unpredictably, the flexibility of a standalone beveller often outweighs the speed advantage of a single-pass setup.
Matching the method to your welding procedure
Weld preparation on site is not one-size-fits-all. Welding procedures specify bevel angles for a reason, and your bevelling method must deliver the angle your procedure requires.
If your procedure accepts a 15 degree bevel, the Cut and Bevel blades and discs give you that angle consistently, in one pass, every time. That is a strong case for the single-pass route on compatible materials.
If your procedure specifies a different angle, or if you work across multiple procedures with different requirements, a dedicated beveller from the beveller range is the correct choice. Adjustable settings let you dial in the exact angle each procedure demands.
Do not try to adapt a fixed-angle blade to a procedure it was not designed for. The result will not meet the weld preparation standard, and the joint will reflect that.
Decision summary: which suits you?
Choose the single-pass Cut and Bevel approach when:
- Your material is plastic, cast iron, ductile iron, or glass fibre
- Your welding procedure accepts a 15 degree bevel
- You are running high volumes and throughput is the priority
- You already own a compatible pipe saw and want to add bevel capability without a second machine
Choose the separate bevelling operation when:
- Your material is carbon steel, stainless steel, or another material not covered by single-pass blades and discs
- Your welding procedure requires an angle other than 15 degrees
- You work across varied pipe sizes and materials where flexibility matters more than speed
- Pipe wall thickness or joint specification demands a dedicated, adjustable tool
Both routes are legitimate. The decision is a straightforward match between your material, your angle requirement, and your workflow volume. Also consider the PipeCut P1000 if your project involves large-diameter pipe cutting as part of the same workflow.
Find the right solution with Exact Tools specialists
We supply both single-pass and dedicated bevelling solutions, and we are here to help you match the right tool to your specific welding procedure and site conditions.
If you are unsure which approach fits your material combination, pipe diameter range, or bevel angle requirement, discuss your weld preparation with our team. We will point you to the correct blade, disc, or beveller without guesswork.