Cold Cutting Tools: Split-Frame Clamshells, ID Pipe Bevelers and Flange Facers
ESI offers cold cutting and machining tools for rent or purchase: split-frame clamshells for cutting and beveling on the pipe OD, ID pipe bevelers, and flange facers. These tools cut and machine pipe without a heat-affected zone.
Split-Frame Clamshells
OD-mounted cold cutting, beveling, facing and counterboring. Standard models from 2″ to 48″; pneumatic, electric or hydraulic drive.
ID Pipe Bevelers
Self-centering three-leg wedge system. Five models from 0.62″ to 14″ (16 to 355.6 mm); pneumatic or electric drive.
Flange Facers
Flange surface machining for repair and maintenance. OD ranges from 1″ to 40″; up to 236″ on request.
Video: the split-frame clamshell cutting and beveling pipe.
Cold Cutting Tool Specifications
General Specifications: Cold Cutting Tools
| Tools | Split-frame clamshells, ID pipe bevelers, flange facers |
|---|---|
| Cutting Method | Cold cutting and machining with no heat-affected zone |
| Split-Frame Clamshells | Standard models CS6 to CS48, working range 2″ to 48″ (50 to 1,230 mm); the data sheet lists a cutting range of 2″ to 60″, with larger and custom sizes available; pneumatic, electric or hydraulic drive |
| ID Pipe Bevelers | Five models, 0.62″ to 14″ (16 to 355.6 mm); wall thickness up to 0.78″ (20 mm); pneumatic or electric drive |
| Flange Facers | OD ranges 1″ to 13.7″, 2″ to 24″ and 6″ to 40″; up to 236″ on request |
| Operations | Cutting, beveling, facing and counterboring; ID bevelers also chamfer, deburr and countersink |
| Availability | Rental: most sizes up to 42″ in stock and ready to ship within 24 hours. Purchase: sizes up to 60″, most ready to ship within 24 hours |
| Data Sheets | Split-Frame Clamshell | ID Beveling Tool |
Split-Frame Clamshells
The split-frame clamshell mounts on the pipe OD for cold cutting, beveling, facing and counterboring pipe or tubing, with no heat-affected zone. The split frame allows easy mounting, and modular tool slides and a wide range of accessories adapt it to the application. Pneumatic, electric and hydraulic drives are available, and larger and custom sizes are available.
Rental kit includes (standard sizes up to 42″): one frame, one air motor, one air caddy, two standard slides, one trip assembly, one set of standard feet per machine, storage box and tool box.
Standard models (A, B and C as shown on the data sheet drawing):
| Model | Working Range | A | B | C | Machine Weight | Shipping Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS6 | 2″–6″ (50–168 mm) | 7.3″ (185 mm) | 20.2″ (512 mm) | 7.6″ (192 mm) | 91.3 lb (41.5 kg) | 148.5 lb (67.5 kg) |
| CS8 | 2″–8″ (50–230 mm) | 9.3″ (236 mm) | 22.2″ (564 mm) | 7.6″ (192 mm) | 93.5 lb (42.5 kg) | 166.1 lb (75.5 kg) |
| CS10 | 4″–10″ (114–275 mm) | 11.1″ (283 mm) | 24.1″ (612 mm) | 7.6″ (192 mm) | 97.9 lb (44.5 kg) | 174.9 lb (79.5 kg) |
| CS12 | 6″–12″ (168–325 mm) | 13.1″ (334 mm) | 26.2″ (665 mm) | 7.6″ (192 mm) | 116.6 lb (53 kg) | 193.6 lb (88 kg) |
| CS14 | 8″–14″ (219–377 mm) | 15.2″ (386 mm) | 28.3″ (719 mm) | 7.6″ (192 mm) | 123.2 lb (56 kg) | 206.8 lb (94 kg) |
| CS16 | 10″–16″ (273–426 mm) | 17.2″ (438 mm) | 30.6″ (776 mm) | 7.7″ (195 mm) | 132 lb (60 kg) | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| CS18 | 12″–18″ (300–457 mm) | 18.5″ (469 mm) | 31.8″ (807 mm) | 7.7″ (195 mm) | 144.1 lb (65.5 kg) | 234.3 lb (106.5 kg) |
| CS20 | 14″–20″ (355–508 mm) | 20.4″ (519 mm) | 33.9″ (862 mm) | 7.7″ (195 mm) | 169.4 lb (77 kg) | 268.4 lb (122 kg) |
| CS22 | 16″–22″ (400–560 mm) | 22.4″ (570 mm) | 35.8″ (910 mm) | 7.7″ (195 mm) | 173.8 lb (79 kg) | 279.4 lb (127 kg) |
| CS24 | 18″–24″ (457–610 mm) | 24.3″ (618 mm) | 37.8″ (960 mm) | 7.7″ (195 mm) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 294.8 lb (134 kg) |
| CS26 | 20″–26″ (508–660 mm) | 26.4″ (670 mm) | 40.2″ (1,020 mm) | 7.7″ (195 mm) | 211.2 lb (96 kg) | 330 lb (150 kg) |
| CS28 | 22″–28″ (550–715 mm) | 28.3″ (719 mm) | 42.7″ (1,084 mm) | 7.8″ (198 mm) | 250.8 lb (114 kg) | 371.8 lb (169 kg) |
| CS30 | 24″–30″ (600–762 mm) | 30.3″ (770 mm) | 44.6″ (1,134 mm) | 7.8″ (198 mm) | 255.2 lb (116 kg) | 378.4 lb (172 kg) |
| CS32 | 26″–32″ (660–813 mm) | 32.7″ (830 mm) | 47″ (1,194 mm) | 8.1″ (207 mm) | 265.1 lb (120.5 kg) | 399.3 lb (181.5 kg) |
| CS36 | 30″–36″ (762–914 mm) | 36.4″ (924 mm) | 51″ (1,296 mm) | 8.4″ (214 mm) | 317.9 lb (144.5 kg) | 460.9 lb (209.5 kg) |
| CS42 | 36″–42″ (914–1,066 mm) | 42.4″ (1,077 mm) | 57.8″ (1,468 mm) | 8.5″ (216 mm) | 434.5 lb (197.5 kg) | 619.3 lb (281.5 kg) |
| CS48 | 42″–48″ (1,066–1,230 mm) | 49.1″ (1,248 mm) | 64.8″ (1,646 mm) | 8.5″ (216 mm) | 536.8 lb (244 kg) | 763.4 lb (347 kg) |
ID Pipe Bevelers
The ID pipe beveler mounts inside the pipe with a three-leg wedge system that self-centers for accurate machining. It bevels, faces and counterbores pipe or tubing, and can chamfer, deburr and countersink, typically in about two minutes. Five standard models cover 0.62″ to 14″ (16 to 355.6 mm), with pneumatic or electric drive.
| Model | BT1 | BT3 | BT6 | BT8 | BT14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working range (ID to OD) | 0.62″–1.3″ (16–33.4 mm) | 1″–3.5″ (25–88.9 mm) | 2.3″–6.5″ (60–168.2 mm) | 2.5″–8.6″ (65–219 mm) | 5.7″–14″ (145–355.6 mm) |
| Wall thickness | Up to 0.3″ (8 mm) | Up to 0.6″ (15 mm) | Up to 0.78″ (20 mm) | Up to 0.78″ (20 mm) | Up to 0.78″ (20 mm) |
| Rotation speed, pneumatic | 0–66 rpm | 0–66 rpm | 0–61 rpm | 0–50 rpm | 0–18 rpm |
| Rotation speed, electric | 0–65 rpm | 0–65 rpm | 0–65 rpm | 0–24 rpm | 0–20 rpm |
| Air pressure (pneumatic) | 90 psi (6.2 bar) | 90 psi (6.2 bar) | 90 psi (6.2 bar) | 90 psi (6.2 bar) | 90 psi (6.2 bar) |
| Air volume (pneumatic) | 30 CFM (0.9 m³/min) | 30 CFM (0.9 m³/min) | 30 CFM (0.9 m³/min) | 41 CFM (1.2 m³/min) | 41 CFM (1.2 m³/min) |
| Electric motor | 1.38 hp (1.05 kW), 50/60 Hz, 220–240 V | 1.38 hp (1.05 kW), 50/60 Hz, 220–240 V | 1.38 hp (1.05 kW), 50/60 Hz, 220–240 V | 1.6 hp (1.2 kW), 50/60 Hz | 2 hp (1.5 kW), 50/60 Hz |
| Machine weight, pneumatic | 15.4 lb (7 kg) | 18.7 lb (8.5 kg) | 35.2 lb (16 kg) | 57.2 lb (26 kg) | 101.2 lb (46 kg) |
| Machine weight, electric | 17.6 lb (8 kg) | 19.8 lb (9 kg) | 37.4 lb (17 kg) | 61.6 lb (28 kg) | 105.6 lb (48 kg) |
| Shipping weight, pneumatic | 30.8 lb (14 kg) | 33 lb (15 kg) | 63.8 lb (29 kg) | 90.2 lb (41 kg) | 149.6 lb (68 kg) |
| Shipping weight, electric | 35.2 lb (16 kg) | 35.2 lb (16 kg) | 68.2 lb (31 kg) | 96.8 lb (44 kg) | 154 lb (70 kg) |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 21″ × 16″ × 6.7″ (540 × 410 × 170 mm) | 21″ × 16″ × 6.7″ (540 × 410 × 170 mm) | 22″ × 21.6″ × 10″ (560 × 550 × 250 mm) | 22″ × 11″ × 10″ (650 × 280 × 250 mm) | 32.6″ × 17″ × 16″ (830 × 430 × 410 mm) |
Flange Facers
Flange facers machine flange surfaces for repair and maintenance.
| OD Ranges | 1″–13.7″ (25–348 mm), 2″–24″ (51–610 mm) and 6″–40″ (152–1,016 mm) |
|---|---|
| Larger Sizes | OD range up to 236″ (5,994 mm) on request |
Online Tools for Pipeline Safety & Standards
Frequently Asked Questions
Split-Frame Clamshells
What is a split-frame clamshell?
An OD-mounted cold cutting machine with a split frame that mounts around the pipe. It cuts, bevels, faces and counterbores pipe or tubing with no heat-affected zone.
What pipe sizes do the clamshells cover?
Standard models CS6 to CS48 cover a working range of 2″ to 48″ (50 to 1,230 mm). Larger and custom sizes are available.
What drive options are available?
Pneumatic, electric and hydraulic.
What comes in a clamshell rental kit?
One frame, one air motor, one air caddy, two standard slides, one trip assembly, one set of standard feet per machine, a storage box and a tool box. Standard kit sizes go up to 42″.
How do I choose the right clamshell size?
Use Pipe Calc to find the pipe OD, ID and wall thickness from the NPS size and schedule, then match the OD to the working range in the model table.
ID Pipe Bevelers
What sizes do the ID pipe bevelers cover?
Five models cover 0.62″ to 14″ (16 to 355.6 mm), with wall thickness up to 0.78″ (20 mm).
How does the ID beveler mount in the pipe?
A three-leg wedge system self-centers the tool inside the pipe for accurate machining.
What air supply does the pneumatic beveler need?
90 psi (6.2 bar) at 30 CFM (0.9 m³/min) for BT1, BT3 and BT6, and 41 CFM (1.2 m³/min) for BT8 and BT14.
What operations can the ID beveler perform?
Beveling, facing and counterboring, plus chamfering, deburring and countersinking, typically in about two minutes.
Flange Facers
What sizes do the flange facers cover?
OD ranges of 1″ to 13.7″, 2″ to 24″ and 6″ to 40″, with OD up to 236″ available on request.
Rental, Purchase and Quotes
Are the tools available to rent or buy?
Both. For rental, most sizes up to 42″ are in stock and ready to ship within 24 hours. For purchase, sizes are available up to 60″, most ready to ship within 24 hours.
What information is needed for a quote?
The pipe diameter or diameters to cut, and the tooling quantity, size and angle needed. One to two tooling pieces per cut is recommended.
Rent or Buy Cold Cutting Tools
For a quote, provide the pipe diameter or diameters to cut and the tooling quantity, size and angle needed.
Split-frame clamshell cutting machines are also available from ESI Flange Spreader Rentals, Enerteq’s flange-tool division. See split-frame clamshell machines and the cold cutting video.
