Conduit Saw

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

AzVoltage

Member
Location
Kearny, Arizona
Im in the market for a conduit saw. Any ideas? I would like a cordless model and would like opinions of others in this trade. Normally, I just cut EMT or Unistrut. I'm tired of cutting with a tubing cutter....time to invest in a power tool that does this job well. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
I have used the Panasonic and the Dewalt. I prefer the Dewalt due to fact that blades are easier to find, and uses the same battery as the drill. I find that it cuts a straighter line than a sawzall. What ever you choose make sure you wear safety glasses and carry a file for the rough edges. nothing wore that a sharp edge on uni-strut...
 
sawzall-smiley.gif

​
 
I use a Dewalt cordless metal saw, it also works great for cutting down sections of gutter, misc. sheetmetal, etc. I use it to cut wood for blocking too.

I usually only use a sawzall or portaband when I need to cut 2.5" pipe and larger. But for most everything else, the metal saw cuts it with ease. My sawzall doesn't hardly get used anymore.
 
8thdwarf said:
I have used the Panasonic and the Dewalt. I prefer the Dewalt due to fact that blades are easier to find, and uses the same battery as the drill. I find that it cuts a straighter line than a sawzall. What ever you choose make sure you wear safety glasses and carry a file for the rough edges. nothing wore that a sharp edge on uni-strut...
Click to expand...



What tool are you talking about?
 
If you buy a cordless port-a-band pay attention. I've used a couple of different ones - one was junk, the other would run quite a while on a single charge. Sorry, can't remember brands, but something to consider.
 
charlietuna said:
Bet those tubing cutter edges caused a few call backs ! Hacksaw mine up to 2 inch then sawzall or port-a-band .
Click to expand...

I always reamed mine out. Used to drive my boss nuts, but I never shaved the FPLP pulling it through anything I put up!
 
We did electrical maintainance for a building management company and one site had two - 276 unit apartment buildings. The installing contractor used tubing cutters and the job was all EMT. After two years we knew what the problem was before ever entering the apartment. Those raceways that met code, but were crowded, were a big problem. Reaming a pipe cut with a tubing cutter still leaves a sharp surface for the wire to rest on !
 
I still pull out the hacksaw on occaision but I started using the Dewalt cordless sawsall several years ago.
 
charlietuna said:
We did electrical maintainance for a building management company and one site had two - 276 unit apartment buildings. The installing contractor used tubing cutters and the job was all EMT. After two years we knew what the problem was before ever entering the apartment. Those raceways that met code, but were crowded, were a big problem. Reaming a pipe cut with a tubing cutter still leaves a sharp surface for the wire to rest on !
Click to expand...

Not if you're thorough. I'd ream it until there was a slight cone on the inner surface and also break any burrs on the outside. And yeah, back in the day I could crush walnuts with one hand. Now, not so much :roll:. Lucky if I can break a pencil :grin:.
 
Ken In NJ said:
We have two of these.
Click to expand...
Ah, the Stout. They sent me one as a sampler a few years ago, when they came out. It seemed adequate, but we don't need one often enough, so I sent it back. I believe it was $300.

Now, if DeWalt ever comes out with a 36v to match the rest of my cordless tools, I may just buy one.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top