How to Pipe Bend a Saddle

Pipe bending a saddle or making a three-bend saddle is used when electrical conduit that is placed along a surface, exposed wall or ceiling, runs into an obstruction. This obstruction is generally another piece of pipe that is perpendicular to the pipe being run. By following a basic set of processes you can bend a saddle over any obstruction.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Conduit
• Pipe bender the size of conduit being bent

Instructions

1. Measure the height of the object in which the saddle is to cross, and then the distance from the end of the conduit to the center of the obstruction to which the new pipe is to be attached. Use the pencil and place a mark on the pipe to be bent at the center location of the saddle. The center location of the saddle is the center measurement of the obstruction in relation to the end of the pipe.

2. Place a new mark on the pipe to be bent by adding 3/16 inch for every inch in rise. In other words, if the pipe saddle were to be centered 18 inches from the end of the pipe and the total height of the obstruction is 2 inches, then add 3/8 of an inch to the 18 inches for a total length of 18 3/8 inches from the end of the pipe. This is the new center of bend.

3. Understand that the center bend will be a 45-degree angle. In order to flatten this bend out, make a saddle; you will have to bend two more angles on the pipe on opposite sides of the center bend at 22 ½ degrees each. Use the pencil and place a mark 2 ½ times the height of the center bend. In other words, since the height will be 2 inches, place a pencil mark 5 inches from either side of the center saddle mark.

4. Place the marked pipe into the conduit bender and place the new center saddle mark, 18 3/8 inches, on the center mark of the bender. This is generally identified by a star with a line on it. Pull the pipe to a 45-degree angle and then stop.

5. Rotate the pipe 180 degrees in the pipe bending shoe and place the 5-inch mark on the star centerline of the bender and pull the pipe or handle to a 22-½ degree bend. Perform the same process to the other 5-inch mark and make the bend.

6. Remove the pipe from the bender and test fit the bent saddle by laying it up on the wall or ceiling. You can "tweak" the pipe saddle placing it back into the bender and applying some more angle on the pipe.

Tips & Warnings

• All pipe bending takes practice: as any electrician will tell you, the more pipe you bend, the better you will become.

References

• Three Bend Saddles