Flexible conduit protects electrical wiring from environmental influences. Flexible conduit can be used to ground wires and has a neat appearance. Each job will be different so you’ll need to cut each piece of conduit individually.
It is easy to learn how to cut flexible conduit. You should be able do it in a matter of minutes. Although it might seem daunting at first, you will soon be able cut conduit easily if you follow these tips.
What You’ll Need
You only need a few tools to learn how to cut flexible conduit. Here’s what you need to do the job:
- Hacksaw
- If you plan to cut lots of conduit, use a bandsaw
- Bench vise or cutting jig
Step 1: Measurement For The Project
Measure how much conduit is needed to complete your project.
Your project will determine the path that the conduit takes. It is common for the conduit’s to bend or condense to meet your requirements.
Begin by measuring the first wire box. If you have any turns that you need to account, measure them separately and add them to the total. You will need to measure the length of the conduit once it is cut.
Step II: Preparing Your Conduit
The Basics
Once you have determined the length of the conduit, you can use your tape measure and mark the conduit with a marker to indicate where to cut.
Conduit can be extended lengthwise and is very flexible. It is important to never cut conduit when it is being extended. Otherwise, it will shrink back to its original size. This will result in a conduit piece that is too small for your needs.
Bend the conduit to cut it properly. Bending conduit will hold the convolutions in place so that you can get a clean cut that won’t distort when it returns back to its original shape.
This next step can vary depending on what tool you used to cut the conduit.
Do A Little Jig
You will need to place the conduit in a vise or jig if you are using a hacksaw for cutting the conduit. You can skip to step III if you’re using a bandsaw.
There are many jigs that can be used to cut conduit. If you are not regularly working with conduit electrically, it is unlikely that buying one would be worthwhile. A bench vise is just as good for our purposes.
Then bend the conduit and place it in your vise. Do not tighten the vise too much, as this can cause damage to your conduit. This will make it more difficult or impossible to load the wire into your vise when you are done.
Step 3: Cut The Conduit
A bandsaw makes it quick and easy to cut conduit. If you are working in the field, or just need to cut a small piece of conduit, it might not be worth the effort to get your bandsaw running.
Turn on a bandsaw and bend the conduit. Then feed the conduit through it, allowing the blade do the majority of the work. The blade will cut the conduit. Continue to rotate the conduit around 90 degrees until it has gone through the entire conduit.
A hacksaw is the best tool to use when you are working in the field, or simply cutting a few pieces of conduit. You will need a sharp, 24-32 TPI blade before you start cutting. Poorly cut conduit will lead to a dull or less-than-perfect cutting experience.
Once you have your conduit loaded in your vise or jig, begin to cut the conduit along the markings. Be mindful of your work and ensure that you achieve a neat, even cut.
Step IV: Clean Up The Edge
Clean up your conduit’s edges is the last thing you want to do. It will be more difficult to install the conduit if it has a sharp or burred edge. It is possible to remove the edge with a few passes of a metal file. This will make it easier to work with.
The Final Word
Every DIYer and novice electrician should know how to cut flexible conduit. It is easy to cut flexible conduit. You can do it yourself using a few tools that you likely already own. Remember to work smart, be safe, and have fun with your project.
