Electric Bendersįor high production conduit bending, you need an electric model. Most mechanical benders can handle ½ inch to 2-inch IMC, EMT, rigid piping and PVC coated conduit. There are several interchangeable shoes to accommodate various types and sizes of conduit. It still takes manual force to make the bend, but they do have several features that make them more convenient. Most benders will include a ratcheting mechanism to increase the force you can apply to thicker conduit sizes and allow you to bend to the correct angle more easily. The unit is mounted to a small carriage that you can easily roll to wherever you need it and has a platform for working at a comfortable height. Some models have a removable frame, so you can mount it to your workbench or truck bed. This type of bender is a step up from hand benders. For extremely tight radii, you would use a Hickey bender. Both models work the same, but Benfield models are made of iron and are marked with bend angle reference points. Gardner models are made of die cast aluminum and have built in spirit levels to indicate 45 and 90 degree angles. Hand operated conduit benders include Gardner-style and Benfield-style models. Shoes for hand benders are available in sizes from ½ inch to 1 ½ inches in diameter. Hand operated benders are the simplest in design and have changed very little over the years. It is basically a shoe and a handle that rolls the conduit between the floor and the tool, gradually increasing the bend as it rolls. For PVC conduit, you need a bender with a heating component to soften the plastic so it can be shaped the way you want. There is a groove in the bending shoe that matches the outside diameter of the conduit and supports the inner radius and outer wall as the bend is formed. From hand operated tools to larger benders for forming electrical metallic tubing, intermediate electrical conduit, rigid piping and PVC conduit, the type you need largely depends on the size and type of conduit you are working with and how much bending needs to be done.ĮMT, IMC and rigid piping needs a bender with a bending shoe. There are a wide variety of benders available. When used properly, they make accurate and consistent bends without damaging the conduit. Electricians often need conduit benders and other bending tools to form electrical conduit and pipe to make it fit where it is needed.

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