Cutting steel conduit in a confined space

[scot-canuck]

So whilst replacing some sockets and adding some new sockets to my parents home I've discovered some obsolete steel conduit left in the wall and down under the floor with a 90 degree bend in it and screwed into a conduit box, which means it can't be removed without cutting it.
I'm asking in the metalworking section as its in a confined space, and close to the joist...so thinking angle grinder is out - fire risk and access difficulties, hacksaw will take an age as there is only about 5 to 6 inches of cavity and its half way down so about 2 inches of cutting stroke....

Multi tool ( fein clone) might cut it....Carbide blade any good?

Otherwise.....
Thinking Recip saw might be on the purchase list (one tool I don't currently own) unless anyone has any other suggestions?

[Hitch]

Difficult to picture the scene.


I have a handy little saw thing that takes standard reciprocating
saw blades, in a screwdriver type handle. Great in confined spaces....




Shouldn't take much to cut through a bit of conduit by hand.


I have seen a few of the powertool companies do mini reciprocating saws in the 10.8/12v sizes. Look handy, but never tried one.

[scot-canuck]

cavity between floor of bedroom and ceiling of living room below, conduit is dead centre between the ceiling below and the floorboards. Gap is about 5 inches high. about 3 to 4 inches from the joist on the right hand side and about 9 inches to the joist on the left.
Conduit is 1950s and original to the house walls of it are 1mm - 1.5mm thick (its solid stuff), obsolete as the house was rewired in 1988 before they moved into the house and all the electrical wiring was replaced, but the conduit was just left in place and now is blocking a new socket.

Thanks Hitch, will have a think....Will let you know how I go

[scot-canuck]

.......I'm thick...I have a box of metal jigsaw blades.......that I never use....think I've found my solution....

[ultimatehandyman]

The reciprocating saw would be my choice. I used a recip saw regularly when sub-contracting for ripping out disused steam pipe/conduit/armoured cable. It’ll cut through 3 inch steam pipe and the lagging with no difficulty.

Last week there was some trunking attached to a ceiling, the cable tray was fixed to some unistrut pieces, but they unistrut was sticking out by a couple of feet. I was asked to cut the unistrut as close as possible to the cable tray, so I used a portable scaffold and cut about 12 lengths of unistrut flush with the cable tray. The only other option would have been the 9 inch Angle grinder, which is not easy to use at heights as you have the cord, plus you have to wear a visor and get a stand by man to fire watch.


This is mine in use-

[Hitch]

I must admit, i have only ever used them for metal a few times, wasn't all that impressed.

Every time though, it has been where hot works wouldn't be a good idea. Any other time, break out the grinder

[scot-canuck]

Cut it today with the jigsaw and a metal cutting blade (LIDLs finest )
Cut it no problem.....one hassle out of the way.
Thanks guys