Conduits are tubes that are used as a shield on electric wires; they are made out of different kinds of materials and are either flexible or rigid. Many people prefer using a flexible conduit over a rigid conduit because of their ease to fit in tight and angled spaces. This flexible conduit comes in various materials like plastic, metal, etc.
A flexible conduit is specially used in areas where a rigid conduit cannot be used. The tasks for which a conduit is used varies, which is why each conduit needs to be customized depending on the job. Knowing how to cut flexible conduit is not a very difficult task. Anyone can master it with a little practice and tips.
Contents
How To Cut Flexible Conduit – Step By Step Guide
Total Time: 1 Hour
Step 1: Measurement Of The Project
The first step is to know how many conduits your project will need. You should measure your project when measuring the turns, ensure that you measure them separately. This will help you know the distance where the conduit will be routed. The conduit measurement should match your project’s measurement.
Step 2: Check The Size And Material
Flexible conduit comes in different sizes and materials, so based on the measurement of your project, you can check the size of the conduit and see it approximately is the right one for you.
The sizes can range from ½, 1, 2, 31/2, and 6 inches.
They also come in different materials, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Step 3: Measurement Of Conduit
A conduit is very flexible, so when you are cutting, make sure that you never cut it when it is extended or else when you try to fit it into your work, it will end up being too small.
Make sure the conduit is not extended and use a tape to measure the length of the conduit that you want to cut and put a mark on it.
To make a clean cut, it is said that you should bend the conduit and cut it, and do not worry when it returns to the normal position. It will not be distorted.
Step 4: Using A Vise Or A Jig
A vise is used to hold the object in place when your working with it, so the next step, if you are using a vise, is to place the conduit in the vise; by doing this, you can easily cut the conduit without it moving.
There are many different vises built to cut flexible conduits, but if you do not use it regularly, then you can use a basic bench vise or woodworking vise.
A jig is another device used to hold the piece of work, and it guides the tool. You can either use a jig or a vise.
Tip: If you are using a hacksaw to cut your conduit, then you should use a vice or a jig. If not, then you can skip step 4 and cut your conduit.
Step 5: Cutting The Conduit
There are different tools you can use to cut the conduit.
Hacksaw: when it comes to cutting into materials other than the wood, you should use a hacksaw, the teeth of a hacksaw are smaller and shorter than a typical saw, which makes it the perfect tool to cut through pipe and conduit, and all the blades are replaceable.
Lesser teeth per inch will give you rougher edges, but you can cut more faster and aggressively. If you are just cutting a piece or two of a conduit, then you should use a hacksaw. For a more professional cut and if your conduit needs more cutting, then a bandsaw is the preferred option.
A bandsaw is quick and easy to use; it gives a perfect and clean-cut. To use a bandsaw, you need to first turn the saw on, then bend and put in conduit through the saw very slowly. As the blade is cutting the conduit, you need to rotate the conduit up and down at 90 degrees. The blade does most of the work here.
When using a hacksaw, ensure that you use a sharp blade that has 24-32 TPI. This will ensure accurate and clean cuts. It is essential that when you cut the conduit, you make sure that you are not cutting or disturbing the conductors.
Step 6: Smooth The Edges
No matter what tool you use after cutting, the edge of the conduit will be sharp, so the next step is to smoothen out the edges. You can do this by using a small file or diagonal pliers.
If there’s still any small edges left that need to be trimmed, then you can use a hacksaw.
Step 7: Clean Up
The last but significant step is to clean up your work area.
Tools Required To Cut Flexible Conduit
When it comes to the kind of tools required to cut flexible conduit, you can use tools that you already have, such as:
- A Hacksaw
- A Bandsaw: A band saw is preferred if you’re going to be cutting lots of conduits.
- A Bench vise or a cutting jig.
- A Tape Measure.
- A Marker.
- A Metal file.
- Shears.
- And Work Gloves.
Difference Between Flexible And Rigid Conduit
| Specification | Flexible | Hilti Vs Dewalt |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Long-lasting | Average |
| Market Value | High | Moderate |
| Audience | Professionals | Beginners and Professionals |
FAQs
1. Where can flexible conduits be used?
Flexible conduits are used to protect wires. They are used in exposed locations, unfinished surfaces, attics, buildings, etc.
2. What is a liquid-tight flexible conduit?
Liquid-tight flexible conduit provides extra protection from water and corrosion. They are made with galvanized steel and PVC coating; they keep moisture off.
3. What is a conduit?
A conduit is a tube for protecting electric wires. It is also called a duct, pipe, tube, channel, gutter, or a trench.
Conclusion
Flexible conduits are flexible and strong. They can protect the wiring around tough to reach and bent or angled areas; if you know how to cut flexible conduits, it is straightforward to work and install them.
There are many different materials and sizes available, so you should get the one that is right for you. To cut a flexible conduit, you don’t need to go to professional work; you can do it yourself with just a few tools.
Leave a Reply