bender markings?

[shputnik]

Some benders have lines that you bend the conduit parallel with. Other benders have a different marking to designate the different degrees.
Is there a download that would describe how to manipulate the pipe to the appropriate degree. The bender with the lines is easier than the other style. Would like to use the other bender more efficiently.
Thx

 

[Smart $]

I refer to these two types as handle up and handle down benders respectively, as pictured.

With the former, when the bend-angle arrows are pointed straight down, assuming conduit is on a flat, level floor, you have achieved that angle of bend. IMO, not as accurate as the handle up (latter type), which you just align the conduit to the line, maybe a tad of overbend to allow for springback, and that's that.

Regardless of which, most are designed for handle up bending so that the handle straight up is either a 30? (most) or 45? (a few) bend. Another method to do more accurate handle-up bending is to use a magnetic protractor or multi-angle level (digital?) attached to the handle. The biggest problem with doing this is you are typically not in a position to read the device while bending.