ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Quality of conduit cuts

How square should comduit be cut? 90º 87º
On a 2" EMT, is 1/8" off from one side to the other acceptable?
I ask this because many of my co-workers use sawzalls to cut the conduit and the results, I feel, are horrible. As I mentioned, 1/8" per 2" and the cut itself is very ragged. Comments are appreciated.
~Peter

Seems a little overzealous to me. As long as there are no burrs and grounding integrity is not compromised, I don't see a concern with a cut that's not perfectly square.

One of the reasons I prefer a tubing cutter for the small stuff... Thought about a mini-chop saw, but then it's another tool to tote and find an outlet for...

Dare I say it.... Its hard when you try, easier if you don't

Most people who cut pipe all day will get a straighter cut by eye, than trying to shoot for 90. If your consintrating too much on it, it seems your cut will drift more, while you try to fight it. 87 is acceptable, rather than wasting pipe, or worse backing up to re-aim an already started cut.

90 great, 87 fine, too much more than that you'll start to feel it when you pull, and thats a little unsettling.

As for the saws all I completely agree! I have a porter cable that just ripps pipe apart. I only use it for scrap and demo. For the stuff that actuall goes in, is done with a band saw.

Recently I saw on the supply house counter, a mini-bandsaw. Fantastic idea, I have been waiting for.... But, it was some wierd brand, and cordless, which means its toast when they fold, and it breaks.

This is that bandsaw, I saw....
http://www.stouttool.com/index.asp


http://www.mytoolstore.com/stout/stondex.html




[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 04-05-2005).]

Peter,- Tell your guys to slowly let the sawzall do the cutting and less "pushing" through the cut.
I use a sawzall all the time, looks like it was cut with a band saw.

Sawzall user here.

But get the right blade, them 14 teeth/in bi- metals will tear up the pipe, and your left filing and reaming alot.

I use the 32 teeth/in ones, and they do a fine job.

Agreed that band saws are alot better.

We don't use steel conduit down here in NZ, apart from in heavy Industrial areas, but for all of the PVC stuff, I use a Tube cutter.
It gives a nice clean, straight edge.
Pushing a saw through a cut always makes the blade go all wonky.

I often use a tube cutter on small EMT jobs up to 1".We used them in school but some guys hate them.Like Trumpy said a tube cutter dosen't leave a burr on the outer edge of the pipe and garantees a square cut.I also use a stepper bit for reamming.Beleve it or not it puts a nice smooth uniform taper in place the inner edge.Any cut that didn't at least look staight was not accepted.

[This message has been edited by frank (edited 04-05-2005).]

Sawzall user here
Like was said above the correct blade and let the sawzall do the work. Just hold the pipe steady and apply light pressure. Then ream it properly. It's easy and fairly quick.