The freezing weather busted it and I need to replace it. I need a tube cutter for tight spaces. General Pipe Cleaners makes AutoCut copper tubing cutters that will fit in tight spaces but you have to know what size the copper tubing is.They seem to measure 5/8 in diameter, but maybe this doesn't mean 5/8 inch copper tubing? Is 5/8 even a common size? I'm pretty sure that 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch are both common sizes, based on my vague recollection from working on this over the past day.
5/8 is a normal size, according to the Copper Tubing Sizes for Plumbing (called the Nominal Size). does the Outside Diameter read 3/4? that might be what the cutter reads. (though tubing is always designated by its nominal size.)
Cut you off apiece and take it with you and match it up at the store.
Match up your tubing cutter to the outside diameter, OD, that is what tubing goes by in AC sizing. Plumbing sizes go by inside diameter, ID. normally when going by id, you jump up one size for od, 1/2 Id is 5/8 od.
Copper pipes are classified by OUTSIDE diameter and their nominal size, i.e., what you call it. A copper pipe with a 5/8 outside diameter is CALLED a 1/2-inch; the 5/8 nominal size would have an outside diameter of 3/4. Make sure you get the proper type of pipe: Type K or L are used for domestic water lines, Type M is used for hydronic heating systems (thinner wall, not as much pressure). The outside diameter of Type K, L, M is the same for any given nominal size, only the INSIDE diameter changes, meaning you can use all the same fittings (elbow, tee, valve, couplings) regardless of which Type you have.
