Thanks for your input, Alfred. The cut must be relatively clean and not have any "chads" that may impede the sealing of it with the fitting. It doesn't have to be perfect, however. Good, clean cuts can be made with a rotational cutter. As the pipe is about to be separated, simply wiggle the 2 pieces until they separate. This generally provides a very good, clean cut. Past that, our fittings only have 3 pieces . . . male side, female side, and a retainer ring. Cut back the yellow outside coating 2 valleys of CSST (about 1'), slide on the female side of the fitting on to the pipe, affix the retainer ring in the last valley of the csst (no need to have the tips of it touching . . . just tight enough not to become dislodged), and tighten down the male side to where there are no threads showing (or to the approved torque as stated in the instructions). More often than not, this creates a gas tight seal.