DeWalt Conduit Reamer Replacement Blades

Why I reached for these

My conduit reamer earns its keep on nearly every EMT run I do. After a couple years of cutting and cleaning up 1/2-, 3/4-, and the occasional 1-inch EMT, the cutting edges had lost their bite. Rather than toss a perfectly good reamer head, I swapped in these DeWalt replacement blades. If you’re already invested in the DeWalt reamer that rides in an impact driver, this kit is the logical way to restore performance without adding another full tool to the bag.

What’s in the kit and setup

The kit is simple and complete: two cutter blades, two set screws, and a hex key. That’s all you need to refresh the reamer head. The blades are direct replacements; there’s no fiddly shimming or odd alignment procedure. I backed out the old screws, noted blade orientation (snap a quick photo before you pull them out), seated the new blades, and snugged the included screws. The whole swap took maybe three minutes.

A couple of small but useful notes:
- The included hex key fits well and avoided rounding out the screws.
- I lightly cleaned the blade pockets in the head before installing; grit or metal fines can prevent the new blades from seating fully.
- A tiny drop of blue threadlocker on each set screw isn’t a bad idea if your reamer sees daily rattling in an impact driver.

Once installed, the system goes back into an impact driver via the hex shank on the reamer body. That impact-ready interface is why the DeWalt setup is popular: you can deburr quickly right after cutting without swapping to a hand tool.

On the job: 1/2-, 3/4-, and 1-inch EMT

With fresh edges, the reamer returned to the way it performed when new—quick, controlled, and consistent.

• 1/2-inch EMT: The blades bite immediately and produce a clean, smooth edge in a second or two. I run my impact driver on low speed and keep light pressure; that avoids chatter and keeps the cut even.
• 3/4-inch EMT: Still fast. I usually give the pipe a gentle rotation as I ream so the blades touch all around evenly, then a brief second pass to knock any lingering high spots.
• 1-inch EMT: It takes a touch more patience, but the blades handled it. I prefer short bursts on the trigger and light pressure. Trying to force the cut is the easiest way to dull blades prematurely.

The end result in each size was a smooth edge that plays nicely with fittings and doesn’t leave shavings inside the line. If you’re starting from a rough saw cut, it helps to square the end as best you can first. The blades aren’t meant to fix a wildly crooked cut; they’re for cleaning and beveling the rim.

The front bit holder is more useful than it looks

One of the perks of the DeWalt reamer system is the bit holder integrated into the front of the head. With the new blades on, I still used that feature constantly—tightening set-screws on couplings, running small fasteners, and snugging locknuts without swapping tools. It’s a small workflow win that becomes second nature on repetitive runs: cut, ream, seat the fitting, tighten—all with the same tool in your hand.

If you haven’t used the front holder before, a tip: keep a quality bit in there and check it for wear as often as you check the reamer blades. A rounded bit defeats the convenience.

Control and technique

Because the system rides in an impact driver, control is on you. A few habits keep the blades sharper longer and produce more consistent results:

• Use low speed. High torque is fine, but high rpm just chews edges and can chatter the cut.
• Let the blades work. Light pressure, brief bursts.
• Clear the chips. A quick back-off mid-cut ejects fines and keeps the blades from loading.
• Eye protection always. The shavings are small but sharp.
• Keep the set screws tight. Give them a periodic check, especially after the first few uses.

With those basics, the blades do exactly what they’re supposed to do—clean edges without drama.

Durability and maintenance

After several days of work—dozens of cuts across 1/2- and 3/4-inch EMT with a handful of 1-inch—the blades still felt crisp and left a clean finish. Like any cutting edge, they’ll wear faster if you plow into rough, jagged cuts, or if you lean on the tool. Careful technique goes a long way.

The nice part about a replacement kit is easy maintenance: when performance tails off, swap again. That keeps the reamer head in service and avoids landfill waste. The included hardware means you’re not reusing fatigued screws, which I appreciate. I’ve had older set screws eventually back out or strip; fresh fasteners buy confidence.

Limitations and fit

A few boundaries to keep in mind:
- These blades are intended for EMT. If you regularly work rigid or IMC, use the appropriate reaming solution for those materials.
- This is a blades-and-hardware kit. You need the compatible DeWalt reamer head to make use of it.
- On larger EMT (1-inch), plan on a little more time and a lighter touch.

As for fit, the replacements aligned perfectly in my DeWalt head. If your reamer is heavily dinged or the blade pockets are deformed, the best blades in the world won’t seat well—inspect the body before you invest in replacements.

Value and buying advice

On a pure performance basis, refreshing the cutting edges is a smarter use of money than buying a whole new reamer, assuming your head and shank are in good shape. The kit includes everything needed—no hunting for tiny screws or guessing at sizes.

One practical note from my experience: the unit price is reasonable, but shipping costs can skew the math if you’re buying the kit by itself. I’d pair it with other consumables you already need or pick it up locally to keep the total cost sensible. If shipping pushes the price near a full replacement, compare options.

Either way, the time saved by keeping a sharp reamer ready is worth it on any job with repetitive cuts. Clean edges go faster into fittings, you fight fewer burr-related hang-ups, and you reduce the chance of shaving contamination in the run.

Who it’s for

• Electricians, HVAC installers, and general trades who cut EMT regularly and already use the DeWalt impact-ready reamer head.
• Anyone who prefers an impact driver workflow and wants to maintain the tool rather than replace it.
• Crews standardizing on DeWalt accessories who want predictable fit and simple maintenance.

Who might skip it:
- Folks without the compatible DeWalt reamer head—this isn’t a standalone reamer.
- Shops primarily working rigid or IMC where a different reaming solution is more appropriate.

The bottom line

These replacement blades bring a tired DeWalt reamer back to life with minimal fuss. Installation is straightforward, the included hardware is thoughtful, and performance on 1/2-, 3/4-, and 1-inch EMT is clean and consistent when used with good technique. The integrated front bit holder remains a small but meaningful productivity boost in day-to-day work, and the impact-ready setup keeps your flow moving from cut to clean to tighten without bouncing between tools.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit if you already own the compatible DeWalt reamer head and want to keep it performing like new. It’s a cost-effective, low-waste refresh that restores clean, efficient deburring. Just be mindful of how you buy it—bundle with other supplies or source locally to avoid paying more in shipping than you should. If your reamer body is damaged or you don’t have the head at all, you’re better off purchasing a complete assembly.