You have two pipe sizes to cut. One sits comfortably within 170 mm outer diameter. The other pushes closer to 220 mm. The question is whether you need one machine or two, and which one to buy first.
This PipeCut 170E vs 220E comparison cuts straight to the decision. Both belong to the Classics line, both are built for portable and occasional use, and both share the same cold-cutting principle. For a broader view, see our complete pipe saw model comparison. The difference is in the pipe sizes they reach, and that single factor should drive your choice.
Quick Answer: Which One Is Right for You
Choose the 170E if your work is dominated by smaller-diameter pipes, typically copper, plastic, and light steel up to 170 mm OD, and you want the lightest, most compact machine in the Classics range for a van kit or occasional site use.
Choose the 220E if you regularly cut pipes up to 220 mm OD, work across a wider range of pipe materials including cast iron and multi-layer pipe, and need a machine that handles a broader daily workload without stepping up to the Pro Series.
Technical Specifications: PipeCut 170E vs 220E Side by Side
The table below draws directly from the product pages for the PipeCut 170E and the PipeCut 220E. Cells are left blank where the published page does not state a figure.
- Pipe OD range: 170E cuts 10 to 170 mm (3/8 in to 6.5 in). 220E cuts 10 to 220 mm (3/8 in to 8.5 in).
- Max wall thickness, steel: 170E: 4 mm (5/32 in). 220E: 4 mm (5/32 in).
- Max wall thickness, plastics: 170E: 15 mm (19/32 in). 220E: 15 mm (19/32 in).
- Power: 170E: 500 W. 220E: 700 W.
- No-load speed: 170E: 1050 rpm. 220E: 1050 rpm.
- Blade diameter: 170E: 140 mm (5.5 in). 220E: 165 mm (6.5 in).
- Weight: 170E: 2.7 kg (5.9 lb). 220E: 3.7 kg (8.2 lb).
- Standard blade supplied: 170E: TCT 140. 220E: TCT 165.
- Best for: 170E: Occasional use, smaller pipes, tightest weight budget. 220E: Broader OD range, higher motor output, more material types.
Where the OD Range Decides the Job on Site
The 50 mm (roughly 2 in) difference in maximum outer diameter sounds modest. On site, it is the line between reaching the pipe or not.
Most domestic plumbing and light HVAC work stays well within 170 mm OD. If your jobs are residential, the 170E covers the full material mix without leaving a gap.
The moment you move into industrial maintenance, ventilation ductwork connections, or process pipework, 170 mm becomes a hard ceiling. The 220E removes that ceiling and keeps you working without a second machine in the van.
Weight and Handling Over a Long Working Day
The 170E weighs 2.7 kg (5.9 lb). The 220E weighs 3.7 kg (8.2 lb). That is a full kilogram difference, which matters when you are carrying the machine up a ladder or working overhead in a confined riser.
For a portable pipe saw for occasional use, the 170E is the easier carry. It is compact enough to fit into a smaller tool bag and leaves room for fittings and hand tools alongside it.
The 220E is still a lightweight pipe saw by any comparison with angle grinders or bandsaws, but if weight is your primary concern and your pipes stay under 170 mm, the lighter machine is the rational pick.
Worth noting: if cordless operation matters for your workflow, a cordless 170 is also available as a battery version that removes the cable entirely.
Blade Options for Both Machines
The 170E uses 140 mm (5.5 in) blades. The 220E uses 165 mm (6.5 in) blades. The two sizes are not interchangeable, so your blade stock follows whichever machine you choose.
For the 170E, the blade range includes the TCT 140 general-purpose blade for steel, copper, aluminium, and plastic, and the TCT Z140 for thin-wall and multi-layer pipe. The Cermet 140 is available for harder materials.
The 220E uses the equivalent 165 mm variants. Consult the full blade selection guide to confirm availability and choose the right blade type for your material in your region.
Materials Each Machine Cuts
The PipeCut 170E is rated for: steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminium, plastic, and multi-layer pipe.
The Exact PipeCut 220E is rated for: steel, copper, aluminium, cast iron, plastic, and multi-layer pipe.
The key difference is cast iron. If cast iron drainage or soil pipe is part of your regular work, the 220E is the machine that covers it. Stainless steel appears on the 170E page; check the 220E product page directly to confirm the stainless rating before specifying for stainless-heavy applications.
When Neither Classics Saw Is the Right Tool
Both the 170E and 220E are built for occasional and mobile use within their OD ranges. Three situations push you beyond them.
- Heavy daily-duty cutting and thicker steel walls: step up to the Pro Series, which is engineered for continuous production use and greater wall thickness capacity. You can also read a direct look at the 220E against its Pro Series namesake to understand where the boundary falls.
- Stainless-heavy work requiring a dedicated stainless solution: the INOX 220 is purpose-built for stainless steel pipe.
- Large-diameter plastic pipe beyond 220 mm OD: the PipeCut P400E handles plastic pipe up to 400 mm (15.7 in) OD.
Three Decision Scenarios
Scenario 1: Domestic and light commercial plumbing, mixed copper and plastic, a few cuts per week
Your pipe sizes stay under 170 mm OD. You cut copper compression fittings, plastic soil pipe, and the occasional light steel. A few cuts per week means the machine spends most of its time in the van. The 170E is the right call: it weighs less, fits a smaller bag, and covers every material in your mix. The 220E’s extra capacity and motor output would go unused on this type of work.
Scenario 2: Ventilation and industrial maintenance up to the 220E ceiling, several cuts per day
You are cutting ventilation spigots, cast iron drainage runs, and mixed-material process pipe up to 220 mm OD. Volume is moderate but consistent across the working day. The 220E’s 700 W motor handles the sustained load better than the 170E’s 500 W, and the larger OD range means you are not turning away jobs at the top of the size band. This is the Classics machine for that profile.
Scenario 3: A second machine for a van already carrying a Pro Series saw
Your primary tool is a Pro Series machine for the heavy work. You want a lightweight pipe saw comparison option for small-bore jobs, tight spaces, and sites where you do not want to risk the main machine. The 170E is the logical companion: it is the lightest option, handles the smaller sizes the Pro Series is overspecified for, and keeps the overall van load down. The 220E overlaps too much with Pro Series territory to justify the weight premium as a backup.
Check Fit with Our Specialists at Exact Tools
If your pipe schedule sits right on the boundary between the two machines, or if you are specifying for a crew with mixed job types, we are happy to confirm which machine fits your actual pipe sizes before you buy.
Find your nearest distributor to get hands-on advice, confirm regional blade availability, and place your order through the right channel for your location.