Beginner starting out with emt

[Marctrees]

Bert - The problem is the majority of guys out in the field will not take the time and effort to deburr fully as you did.

Marc

 

[Bert_]

Bert - The problem is the majority of guys out in the field will not take the time and effort to deburr fully as you did.

Marc

I get what you're saying but I timed how long it took to make the cut and ream it. 25 seconds was all.

I just want to make the point that it isn't necessary bad just because that's what we've been told. I don't use a tubing cutter that much but it definitely has a place.

 

[Shiftless]

I get what you're saying but I timed how long it took to make the cut and ream it. 25 seconds was all.

I just want to make the point that it isn't necessary bad just because that's what we've been told. I don't use a tubing cutter that much but it definitely has a place.

If it made sense to agree MORE than 100% I would.
For mass production, maybe an abrasive wheel in a chop saw would be faster. I mostly use the tubing cutter and then ream. Use the right tool for the right job.

 

[BigGarage]

At least in MN, where I was an Elect contractor for 25 years from approx 1982 to 1997,

Marc

That's some trick

Dennis

I dunno, too far back, it was something like that.


Marc

It's just not funny if I have to explain it.

Dennis

 

[BigGarage]

I started the thread?

You just go ahead and ask about kangaroos or kazoos, that's the universal rule for a thread-starter after the original question has been answered.

Dennis

 

[PugetDude]

FWIW, a 1/2” diameter abrasive drum in a Cordless M12 rotary tool fits perfectly inside 1/2” EMT...takes about 3 seconds to remove the burr from a Hackzall with a fine tooth blade...

 

[alfredeneuman]

You just go ahead and ask about kangaroos or kazoos, that's the universal rule for a thread-starter after the original question has been answered. Dennis

I didn't realize that he started the thread

 

[Terry D]

Could you point out this sharp ridge for me?

Its not a argument that it wont work, and its not a code violation either. Its just not common practice to do it in some parts. In my 25 plus years as a electrician/contractor, I can honestly say I have never seen a electrician pull out a tubing cutter for EMT. Its just not taught in any apprentice schools here to do it. As you have shown, it can be done with no burrs or ridges, but its that person that doesn't do that good of job deburring it, that people are worried about. It creates more of a sharp edge that any other way of cutting it. I have tried it, I like using my Klein reamer that does 1/2 3/4 and 1" and it took a long time to ream it, almost felt like I was going to break. But I would imagine if you had a unibit in a cordless drill, it would do a great job. If someone worked for me, and I saw them use a tubing cutter, I would defiantly let them know to use a different method.

 

[Bert_]

Its not a argument that it wont work, and its not a code violation either. Its just not common practice to do it in some parts. In my 25 plus years as a electrician/contractor, I can honestly say I have never seen a electrician pull out a tubing cutter for EMT. Its just not taught in any apprentice schools here to do it. As you have shown, it can be done with no burrs or ridges, but its that person that doesn't do that good of job deburring it, that people are worried about. It creates more of a sharp edge that any other way of cutting it. I have tried it, I like using my Klein reamer that does 1/2 3/4 and 1" and it took a long time to ream it, almost felt like I was going to break. But I would imagine if you had a unibit in a cordless drill, it would do a great job. If someone worked for me, and I saw them use a tubing cutter, I would defiantly let them know to use a different method.

No uni bit or drill needed just the reamer that pops up on the tubing cutter. Spin it around twice and it's done.

Seems like many union apprentices are made to use a hacksaw. That takes more time and effort than the same cut I just did with my tubing cutter. You will leave a sharp edge no matter what you cut with if you don't use a reamer.

I wasn't taught to use a tubing cutter. Infact the Milwaukee one I like came from a plumbing supply house. But it's one of those things were you find out it is absolutely the right tool in some circumstances.

I've got a portaband that I hardly ever use because it's to much stuff to drag along unless you're making a ton of cuts. The tubing cutter is the opposite, takes almost no effort to bring along. The portaband would cut it quicker but the tubing cutter beats out a hacksaw by a mile. I don't see anybody badmouthing hacksaws. If I had an employee that wanted to use a hacksaw we would be having a talk about how much time and money he was wasting.

 

[Terry D]

No uni bit or drill needed just the reamer that pops up on the tubing cutter. Spin it around twice and it's done.

Seems like many union apprentices are made to use a hacksaw. That takes more time and effort than the same cut I just did with my tubing cutter. You will leave a sharp edge no matter what you cut with if you don't use a reamer.

I wasn't taught to use a tubing cutter. Infact the Milwaukee one I like came from a plumbing supply house. But it's one of those things were you find out it is absolutely the right tool in some circumstances.

I've got a portaband that I hardly ever use because it's to much stuff to drag along unless you're making a ton of cuts. The tubing cutter is the opposite, takes almost no effort to bring along. The portaband would cut it quicker but the tubing cutter beats out a hacksaw by a mile. I don't see anybody badmouthing hacksaws. If I had an employee that wanted to use a hacksaw we would be having a talk about how much time and money he was wasting.

I agree about the hack saw, they are taught use it. I will use it maybe if I have one piece of pipe and don't feel like getting any other tool out of the truck. My go to tool for cutting conduit is my 6 1/2 inch circular saw with a metal cutting blade ( not abrasive ) It cuts 2 inch HW with no problem

 

[Bert_]

I agree about the hack saw, they are taught use it. I will use it maybe if I have one piece of pipe and don't feel like getting any other tool out of the truck. My go to tool for cutting conduit is my 6 1/2 inch circular saw with a metal cutting blade ( not abrasive ) It cuts 2 inch HW with no problem

That's exactly when I use the tubing cutter. Just a couple cuts to make and don't want to drag in a bunch of stuff.

I have the same circ saw with the ferrous metal blade. I love it. Cuts a huge variety of stuff very quickly. Conduit, strut, threaded rod, even cut sheets of steel with it a few times.

 

[tonyprovo723]

Bert - Do you cut all the way through with the tubing cutter or most of the way through and snap it. I heard and used both.

For reaming with a unibit, are you folks using a large bit say 7/8 or larger and reaming on a single step? If so, that is a lot of money.

I've always heard using the nose of channel locks inside and the jaw teeth on the outside. Milwaukee promotes this on their T&G pliers and also on lineman pliers. Also don't see grips left on pliers from electricians as they use the handles to ream as well. Lots of ways to skin this cat. Most already on hand.

Sent from my SM-G965U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Bert_]

Bert - Do you cut all the way through with the tubing cutter or most of the way through and snap it. I heard and used both.

For reaming with a unibit, are you folks using a large bit say 7/8 or larger and reaming on a single step? If so, that is a lot of money.

I've always heard using the nose of channel locks inside and the jaw teeth on the outside. Milwaukee promotes this on their T&G pliers and also on lineman pliers. Also don't see grips left on pliers from electricians as they use the handles to ream as well. Lots of ways to skin this cat. Most already on hand.

Sent from my SM-G965U using The Garage Journal mobile app

Cut all the way.

 

[sberry]

You could ream 1000's of them with a 5$ HF uni bit. It's a tool can be powered easy, tool I all ready got and carry. Anyway, this is about the perfect place for starter conduit job. The tools are simple and cheap, last a long time.

 

[tonyprovo723]

Reaming video.

Sent from my SM-G965U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Marctrees]

 

[like2wheel]

That actually made me laugh out loud.

 

[My Old Tools]

1/2" EMT is a breeze to bend. I still struggle with collapsing 3/4".

 

[Sno-Pro]

It's just not funny if I have to explain it.

Dennis

I got it.

 

[nadogail]

I was taught that plumber's tube cutters and abrasive wheels were 'wrong' for EMT. The former pinches down the tube at the cut for a reduced diameter, and the latter creates razor sharp ends. The 'right' way is a hacksaw or bandsaw. (de-bur also)

When installing 1/2" EMT I use a simple hacksaw. Squat using the back of one knee to hold the conduit secure. Use your opposite thigh for support. That's all you need. I use the Klein reamer on the smaller stuff. If I'm cutting a lot, I'll break out a power tool.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/klein-tools-conduit-fitting-and-reaming-screwdriver/1000421454

This link covers a lot of the basic principles:
https://www.wikihow.com/Bend-EMT-Conduit

I was taught the same, one employer told me “if I ever again see you cut EMT with a tubing cutter you will be fired.

 

[Norcal]

I was taught the same, one employer told me “if I ever again see you cut EMT with a tubing cutter you will be fired.

It is a lot easier to ream the tube when cut with a hacksaw/Sawzall®/portaband saw then a tubing cutter & any pipe I cut will be reamed to my satisfaction.

 

[Digster]

I'm not a Electrician, so I went to a Pawn Shop and got EMT benders for $10.00 ea...... it was suggested to me by a friend and I saved a bunch

 

[alfredeneuman]

Greenlee makes a tubing cutter specifically for EMT. I bought one. I think it's a POS.
Apparently other people do too.

 

[Norcal]

Greenlee makes a tubing cutter specifically for EMT. I bought one. I think it's a POS.
Apparently other people do too.

Bought one too, wasted money & even saw the POS when looking for something else Sunday.

 

[Jim greengo]

So I've been checking in the local county and to do the electrical work to install LED strip lights, the permit application requires an electrician's license, which I don't have. They said that even fixture replacements are included in that, so I guess they don't trust residents to change a wirenut.

They have a homeowner's exam, which I could probably take (I have a master's in EE, but all that was years ago). I haven't really studied the NEC in any detail. It's only offered twice a year, so if I wanted to do the work myself, I'd have to pass that exam, which would be months away.

Haven't bought anything yet other than fixtures, but now I'm wondering what the best course of action is. How likely is it that I can find an electrician to take the risk to sign off on a homeowner's pet project?

Just do it and dont say anything,as long as it's your own place.