How to Bend a Conduit With a Hand Bender

You can only use hand benders for EMT (electrical metal tubing) of ½, ¾ or one inch diameter. With larger or rigid conduits, you will need a hydraulic or electric bender. With any conduit bender, you need know how to use bending charts to measure and mark your bend start points. When using a hand bender, always be aware of the pressure you apply, your alignment of subsequent bends with the first bend and the position of the degree marker.

Things You'll Need

• Conduit bending charts
• Tape measure
• Marker, pencil or ink

Instructions

1. Read the bending chart to find the type of bend you want to make. Notice the type and diameter of the conduit you are using, as the bend radius and distance will be different for each diameter of conduit.

2. Use the tape measure and marker to mark your bend points in accordance with the chart.

3. Place the conduit in the bender so that the first bend point mark aligns with the arrow on the bender shoe.

4. Bend the conduit until it aligns with the angle degree marker on the shoe for the angle calculated in your chart. You can use either the handle of the bender or the conduit itself for leverage. Be careful not to overbend.

5. Move the conduit so that the second mark aligns with the arrow on the shoe. Rotate the conduit in the bender so that the bend you are now making will align with the first bend. Slight rotation mistakes will lead to messy and unaligned bends.

6. Move the conduit for subsequent bends at the arrow on the bender shoe. Always rotate the conduit to the correct position to align bends with previous bends.

Tips & Warnings

• Read your bending charts and understand them before trying to bend conduit. Only an experienced professional can bend conduit without charts.

• Remember that professional-looking conduit runs take practice and patience.

References

• Gardner Bender: Conduit Benders
• Gardner Bender: Guide to Profitable Bending