How do I cut through a metal conduit without cutting the cable inside?

Question

I am looking at taking out a metal conduit that is carrying a large phone wire. I am wondering if anyone knows how to cut through this soft steel or galvanized steel conduit pipe. Is there a tool that will cut it like a copper pipe cutter? Or should I just use a hack saw? Any thoughts?

Answer 1

A hardware store should sell a special cutter for this. I think a copper pipe cutter would work.

Answer 2

You could use a hacksaw if you're real careful but can you just disconnect the wire and pull it out one of the ends?  

Answer 3

I have done this before. It is not easy. If you have a sawzall, or surface grinder, the process is the same. Don't cut the wires! The secret is don't cut through completely, then break the piece when finished. It's not easy, but if done deliberately, it can be done. Good luck.

Answer 4

Yes a tubing cutter will work.  Are there no couplings, or connections you could seperate?

You could use a hack saw too, but you would have to constantly move around the pipe before cutting into the wire inside.

Answer 5

A tubing cutter.You know,the same one you use to cut a copper pipe.

Answer 6

When you say "large phone wire" just what do you mean? Something along the lines of the bundle that might bring in a number of phone lines into an apartment building? Or something along the lines of a wire slightly smaller than a pencil?

What are you planning on doing once you cut the conduit? Moving a phone jack?, tapping your neighbors phones, or shutting down everyones phone, alarm, and internet service?

You can cut through with a hacksaw, a recip saw (if you are careful) or a tubing cutter. You still have to get the free end of the cable out before you can move anything. Just be careful when cutting.

Answer 7

The only way I can see you doing that is having to cur the pipes dia. on both ends with out cutting the wire, then cut the pipes length on both sides without cutting the wire.  A  pipe cutter would work on the ends  but the length I am not sure what to do there.  

  good luck

Answer 8

Use tubing cutters like the tool  to cut copper piping, works great. once you score it you can just give it a push and it will break