ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area 1-1/4 EMT bending

I'm feelin good now, I thought I was the only guy who struggled so much bending 1-1/4" emt. I too have to have my bags on to get the bender handle to come uphill. 1 weigh 145 pounds when I am soaking wet. Helps to own a 555 bender, but that thing usually stays back in my shop until a big job comes along.

One of theproblems with being a man of your size is people expect you to be able to muscle things around that they cannot.

Do you back a favor and get a mechanical bender for anything over 1" EMT. You'll last a lot longer in the trade.

two hints:
1) Big helper
2) Young helper

Did a Gondola job once, the millwrights saw our predicament and made us a solid handle 4' long. It weighed about 75 lbs but boy did it ever make 90's easy.

I too think its a two man job!

However, BS'ing around the supply house I heard about this gem.... (I have not tried it, but will next time a real op arises for lots of it.) 10,000Lbs ratheting cargo strap, and 2 vise grips! This guy was telling me about, and says he's been doing it for years? Lock one vise grip to the bender, and the other to the pipe so the strap wont slide, and crank up the strap. Disclaimer, not sure how well it would work, but sounds like it would.

I can actually bend the 1 1/4 in the air with out stepping on the bender. Did a 4 point saddle that way not long ago. Now mind you it was a struggle.

I only have the buck-eighty for mass, but a 6'4" frame. I'm never intimididated by 1-1/4". Good balance and being able to throw your weight around goes a long way.

great upper body strength, too

I second some of the previous comments. Why waste time, your back and energy that could be used eleswhere to making 90s? Premade ones work great. Nobody thinks twice about buying 1 1/2 or 2" premade 90s.

Now,for the other side of the coin.
*My hat is off to you sir for bending your own tubeing,and not short-cutting the craftmanship in your 1.25 raceway(s).

I have always believed in the bending of 1.25 tubeing, in lew of the pre-fab.I didn't purchase my 1.25 bender for show-in tell,but to utilize in the tubeing.Gentlemen,I just don't believe in short-cutting raceway(s)presentation.

*A much more neater,professional installation.In light of the ameturish looking raceway(s) with a hideous looking slew of couplings.

~a senario~
Put the (2)two racked methods side-by-side.And in all honesty, which do you really believe is going to make sale, in presentation(s) of the professional installation.




[This message has been edited by dillon3c (edited 10-30-2005).]