Cutting pvc conduit without damaging wire inside
- Thread starter PoorOwner
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Keithinsc
Well-known member
Yup. I have used a hacksaw and an abrasive disc also to cut PVC. Easy to work with.
there are tubing cutters with a larger flange on the cutting wheel for plastic pipe . or use a regular cutter and cut as deep as you can, then a oscillating tool or hacksaw for the last bit ,
I assume you're disconnecting the wires , form or get a pc of metal that slips over them and inside of the current conduit to act as a shield
I assume you're disconnecting the wires , form or get a pc of metal that slips over them and inside of the current conduit to act as a shield
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
A piece of nylon mason's string will cut through without damage to the conductors.
It's flexible so can be used to work around the diameter , and leave the conductors intact.
It's flexible so can be used to work around the diameter , and leave the conductors intact.
I think I will try the copper cutter to score as much as I can, then try to snap it or finish with the PVC scissors, I tried to spin the scissors around but the cut is always crooked, with the score around it may work better until I can carefully snap it apart.
This! Or purchase this: Cuts PVC/ABS, etc: https://www.homedepot.com/p/General...BEgKFFPD_BwE&dclid=CJ6vs8DrhdsCFVELDAodzKcCcQ
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snickers muncher
Well-known member
That's what I did for my hot water heater with 10/3 inside.
samss
Well-known member
copper tubing cutter and snap it. works for me every time.
This for the scissor cutters works. I've also used a regular old tubing cutter.
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Careful! mason’s string WILL cut through the sheathing of most cables. THHN or comparable wire used in all residential buildings can’t hold up to a nylon string saw. I’ve made a fair amount of money in the past fixing burned wires that arched. IF you are careful, this can work well. Just remember to do this in 5 cuts around the pipe. My preference, if space allowed was a standard pipe cutter. Run it all the way around and snap then pipe. Use 1/2 of a piece of copper pipe slid into the pipe to protect the wires as I cut the pvc conduit lengthwise w/a grinder. I found these easier to use than an oscillating saw. Hope this helps for future projects.
Innovate1
Well-known member
Sounds like you are working near the end so I would try to shove some tubing slightly smaller than the conduit in past the cut point. If you scratch that up it's no big deal.
driftpin
Well-known member
I've used a piece of monofilament fishing line to cut PVC, but never with energized leads inside. I just wrap it 360 degrees-past itself, and carefully saw-away. Some careful dressing of the inside cut, to eliminate an edge on the cut-line area of the PVC, is advised. Maybe a piece of sandpaper in a cylindrical fashion and a slightly-smaller inside diameter tubing of some sort, to bring pressure to bear on the edge should work. I suppose you could use a half-round & flat other side ******* file would work, also.
TexMedium
Well-known member
A tubing cutter with a blade for copper will make short work of Sch.40 PVC, without reaching the wire inside. It WILL leave a raised burr, just like with copper, though. Easy enough to remove, which should be done if there is any possibile need in the future to pull more wire.
Zeke
Well-known member
Yeah, the little cutters don't work but a full sized one will do it handily. But, as mentioned, the small cutter will establish a straight cut line. So will masking tape.
kaffine
Well-known member
Attach pull string to the wire then backpull them a little bit. Try to push some extra pull sting in the conduit past where you need to cut. Then you don't need to worry about damaging the wire.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I've done it with the pipe in a trench using a 6" piece of hacksaw blade. Of course there was about 100 gallons of water in the pipe. Fun times.
^^^this^^^
BreeStephany
ALLIANCE MEMBER
For anything under 1-1/2", I have a ratcheting PVC cutter that I use to deeply score the PVC and then just snap it. For anything larger than 1-1/2", I have a PVC cable saw. I try to deeply score and then snap the remaining thin layer if there are conductors to prevent any damage to the conductors.
Generally not a practice I do too often, as most of the time its quicker and easier to tie a pull string to the existing conductors and yank them out or to just yank the conductors, modify the conduit and then vacuum in a pull string.
Just my two cents.
Generally not a practice I do too often, as most of the time its quicker and easier to tie a pull string to the existing conductors and yank them out or to just yank the conductors, modify the conduit and then vacuum in a pull string.
Just my two cents.
Jim greengo
Well-known member
Hacksaw,just go slow.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
I use my oscillating cutter with a dull blade.
klassenl
Well-known member
I have done it with a hacksaw more times than is reasonable. Score it and snap it. Carefully.