bending EMT conduit

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RustyShackleford

Senior Member
Location
NC
Occupation
electrical engineer
Hope folks don't mind this question here, it's not about electrical, but it's a question I'll bet the electricians can answer ...

I'm going to be using 10ft pieces of 1-1/2" trade-size EMT (steel not aluminum) for a home project. To make it work, I need to bend the EMT slightly, so that there's about 1/2" warp (the middle of the conduit is 1/2" off a straight line connecting the two ends). How hard will this be to do ? I'm thinking to support it by two trees roughly 8ft apart and then pull on the middle with a come-a-long.

The obvious answer is a conduit bender, but I need a gradual bend along the entire length, not a "local" bend (the beginning of a 45 of 90 or whatever).
 
I have never done anything like that because it would be illegal 😇 for an electrical installation, so don't ask me how I know that will be fine. You may want to put a piece of 2x4 in so you don't dent the conduit at the pull point. I am also aware of someone else, not me obviously😇 who has put it between a couple saw horses and uses sandbags and a$$ to bend it. Or set it on the ground on a parking space bumper and driven up on it in a truck, once again not me.😇
 
Your method sounds as good as any although you could try elevating the ends and step in the middle. A bender is probably not going to allow you to bend an arc that is only 1/2" wide in the middle.
 
I like the come along idea because you can bend and release to see how much bend you have and add more bend as needed. The step method might be a one shot deal especially you overbend it.
 
Thanks folks. Need step, how to drill holes - that are inline and 180-degrees apart on the two sides ... probably 4 pairs.
 
RustyShackleford said:
Thanks folks. Need step, how to drill holes - that are inline and 180-degrees apart on the two sides ... probably 4 pairs.
Click to expand...
Got a drill press? Could set up a jig quick. Use a center drill to start the hole. Also might help to get a screw machine length drill bit instead of the usual jobber length.
 

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RustyShackleford said:
Hope folks don't mind this question here, it's not about electrical, but it's a question I'll bet the electricians can answer ...

I'm going to be using 10ft pieces of 1-1/2" trade-size EMT (steel not aluminum) for a home project. To make it work, I need to bend the EMT slightly, so that there's about 1/2" warp (the middle of the conduit is 1/2" off a straight line connecting the two ends). How hard will this be to do ? I'm thinking to support it by two trees roughly 8ft apart and then pull on the middle with a come-a-long.

The obvious answer is a conduit bender, but I need a gradual bend along the entire length, not a "local" bend (the beginning of a 45 of 90 or whatever).
Click to expand...
go to home depot, most of their emt is already bent.
 
If you only need a slight bend, tractor trailer rig dually’s work well. Do it on the trailer though, because if you do it on the truck, you might get your butt kicked by the driver! LOL!
 
I went to a residential service inspection and the 2" RGS riser was "less than plumb' and had a tire mark on it. The electrician accidentally ran it over in the driveway and then installed it. He had more pipe that was not damaged and decided to use the bent piece on the front of the house. You could see it from a block away. Thankfully he changed it.
 
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