Cutting RNMC in place

[nhfire77]

Anyone have a trick for cutting PVC in place?

I am trying to avoid removing conductors from PVC before cutting into it. I have to splice in a box and alter the circuits direction.

It is attached to a ceiling 12' up. Its quite a long pull with two nineties. and its a, almost full, piece of 3/4"

I know. I know... I can damage the conductors and you are supposed to pull in only in a completed raceway. If I nick them, I am pulling them out anyway .

I looking to ease my work load. Its in a plant that plates metal with cyanide involved. The work isn't in the plating room but I want to minimize my time in there. This is a very safety conscious business, I just don't like the smell of the place. I am charging enough for the hassle of it all, but I thought you all might have some in site.

 

[iwire]

String, use string to cut the PVC.

 

[nhfire77]

String, use string to cut the PVC.

String? OK you mean those string cutters plumbers use?

 

[iwire]

I have done it with pull string, you may break a few sections of string before your done but it works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS7szCZrNXE

 

[macmikeman]

Masons line tends to not break as much as pull string. Thats what I use.

 

[benaround]

Use a regular pipe cutter, but only go about half way , then 'snap it'.

 

[mxstar211]

If you have a military backgound use 550 cord and pullout a strand. It cuts through pvc pretty easy.

 

[Article 90.1]

Not sure if you have the access to do it, but I have sleeved a 1/2" emt over the conductors and then spun a ratcheting PVC cutter around the pipe, works great and the wire is protected.

 

[iMuse97]

The thing Frank mentioned: score it deeply with your Rigid 150 tubing cutter and then crack it.

 

[infinity]

In the past I've used a Dremel but the string idea does work. Just requires a little more effort.

 

[ultramegabob]

I just had to do the same thing with several 4" scedule 80 pvc pipes that were side by side next to wall, I went to lowes and bought a few feet of the lightest gauge steel cable, two tear drop shaped cable eyes, and a couple of cable crimps and made my own cable saw. It worked like a charm and cost about eight bucks.

 

[CopperTone]

for small pvc cuts like this I've taken a hack saw blade and taped up one half of the blade so it looks like a jail bird's knife - then use the blade by hand to slowly cut around the pvc - go slow and be careful - snap it off when it is very close to going through all the way around

 

[nhfire77]

I love all the ideas. Thinking outside the box is great. 550 yes sir. I will have to make a few cuts I will try different ideas. I like the sleeve with 1/2" might work.

Keep em' coming!

 

[hillbilly]

I have used a ratcheting pvc pipe cutter to do this.
It's the small one that most plumbers use.....$10

I ratchet it onto the pipe until the blade touches the pipe, and then sink the blade into the pipe about 1 click on the ratchet.
I then spin the cutter around the pipe.
This will cut a groove in the pipe about half the wall thickness deep.
I then snap the pipe in two with my hands.

Works well....with practice.:roll:

steve

 

[Cow]

I have used a ratcheting pvc pipe cutter to do this.
It's the small one that most plumbers use.....$10

I ratchet it onto the pipe until the blade touches the pipe, and then sink the blade into the pipe about 1 click on the ratchet.
I then spin the cutter around the pipe.
This will cut a groove in the pipe about half the wall thickness deep.
I then snap the pipe in two with my hands.

Works well....with practice.:roll:

steve

I've used this same method many times with conductors in pipe. I really like my Klein ratcheting cutters, up to 1.25" sch. 80, if you don't already own a pair, now is the time to buy one. You'll never go back to a sawzall for cutting small pvc again.

 

[mivey]

Use a regular pipe cutter, but only go about half way , then 'snap it'.

That's the best way (or scoring) if you don't want to damage the wire.

Sawing the string through is great if you don't care. I use a piece of thin aircraft cable because I got tired of the string breaking. A saw-zall is much better for this app if you can fit it in the space.

 

[mivey]

I've used this same method many times with conductors in pipe. I really like my Klein ratcheting cutters, up to 1.25" sch. 80, if you don't already own a pair, now is the time to buy one. You'll never go back to a sawzall for cutting small pvc again.

I bought a cheap pair and it did not ratchet well. You have to use two hands to keep the blade ratcheting. I guess if I had bought the Klein I would not have been so disappointed with the device.

 

[LarryFine]

I've used the wire cutting tool they sell in the plumbing department. I've also used an internal cutting wheel that you chuck into a drill.

 

[RH1]

I use a PVC cutter, I squeeze down until the blade has penetrated the conduit wall, then I drag the cutter 360 degrees around the tubing. Works every time.

 

[LJSMITH1]

Here's what I have used...and it works like a charm! You can buy them at a plumbing supply house, Lowes or HD...