I need to remove this metal conduit or at least bring it even with the floor. I don't need to worry about preserving the wires inside the conduit. I only have a little hacksaw, but I'm open to buying other tools if needed. What's the best way to get rid of this conduit so that it's even with or below the floor?
-
2I’d use an angle grinder with a metal cutting disk– KrisOct 8, 2019 at 2:20
-
1Possible duplicate of How can I cut a metal pipe while preserving the wires inside?– Solar MikeOct 8, 2019 at 2:37
-
1@SolarMike it's the same building site, but he's decided no to preserve the wires.– JasenOct 8, 2019 at 2:46
-
I don't think this is a dup.– Harper - Reinstate MonicaOct 8, 2019 at 3:23
-
1pull up the boards– jsotolaOct 8, 2019 at 5:35
5 Answers
I'm assuming you don't have access to the backside of this conduit. If you did, you would just disassemble it - find the nearest coupler, uncouple it, and remove the pipe.
Remember to remove these orphan wires entirely; all the way back to the previous junction box (or past it, if they go past it). You're not supposed to leave orphan wires, though.
-
I can't seem to pull the wires out no matter how hard I pull, but I have confirmed there's no power going through them. Is that good enough? I don't know how I would remove the wires completely. Oct 8, 2019 at 3:33
-
1@dfitzgerald You're pulling from the other box, right? You shouldn't pull from the pictured end. 2 wires shouldn't pull that hard out of 1/2" conduit, so if 10 pounds of pull doesn't do the job, there must be an intermediate box or conduit body somewhere. Again, Code requires it be accessible. Oct 8, 2019 at 3:42
-
A toner can help you track it through your walls since the conduit is metal. Oct 8, 2019 at 5:33
-
@dfitzgerald You show no power now. The concern is, what if the other end is not simply chopped off somewhere but switched off (breaker or a regular switch) and someone flips it back on, not knowing where it goes. If all goes well, either nothing happens or a breaker trips quickly. But if it doesn't go well, you end up with a fire. Oct 8, 2019 at 14:14
-
@FreshCodemonger Brilliant. Put the toner on the conduit... Oct 8, 2019 at 18:17
Try a reciprocating saw with a blade designed for metal. Big brand name is Sawzall but all the major tool companies have them.
They are available both corded and battery powered.
A dremel with a metal cutting wheel will work.
-
Yeah, that's exactly what I'd do under the circumstances. Oct 8, 2019 at 3:23
4.5" angle grinder. Pick one up at harbor freight for $15. They are so cheap I just keep 3 around with different thickness discs attached instead of fumbling to change them. If one dies you have spares.
The other tools - oscillating/reciprocating/dremel generally are going to be more expensive, slower, and harder to get a flush cut. While I tend to buy cheap grinders I don't recommend cheaping out on the other tools.
-
1Interesting use of cheap tools. That said, don't use cheap discs. Oct 8, 2019 at 18:17