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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?

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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.

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  • 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.
    – dfitzgerald
    Oct 8 '19 at 3:33
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    @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.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Oct 8 '19 at 3:42
  • A toner can help you track it through your walls since the conduit is metal.
    – Fresh Codemonger
    Oct 8 '19 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.
    – manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
    Oct 8 '19 at 14:14
  • @FreshCodemonger Brilliant. Put the toner on the conduit...
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Oct 8 '19 at 18:17
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Try a reciprocating saw with a blade designed for metal. Big brand name is Sawzall but all the major tool companies have them.

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They are available both corded and battery powered.

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maybe you can get the hackaw blade (without the handle) into the hole beside the pipe and then saw through it holding the blade in you hand, in locking pliers, or in a special blade handle. enter image description here

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  • Yep. Flex it tight to the floor. A rag around the handle end will prevent injury.
    – isherwood
    Oct 8 '19 at 14:46
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A dremel with a metal cutting wheel will work.

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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.

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