A debeading tool capable of internally debeading butt-welded pipe made of PVC and similarly hard plastics has a work head that can be coupled to a distal end of a torque tube. The work head includes a motor carrying a cutter which is oriented at an angle, e.g., 12 degrees, to the interior pipe wall for cutting the weld bead as the tool is rotated inside the pipe. The work head cutter can be moved between an insertion/removal position away from the side wall and a cutting position against the bead on the side wall. A locator assembly that contacts the bead during insertion of the work head aids in positioning the cutter to straddle the weld bead. A pipe cleaner can be prepositioned in the pipe before butt-welding to be engaged upon removal of the work head to pull weld bead chips and fines from the pipe.