ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area benders

Has anyone tried to use one of those cheap hydraulic benders from harbor freight? Can they bend offsets? I've thought about getting one.

Several of them state "NOT FOR BENDING CONDUIT", probably due to the thinner wall dimensions.

Wondered that myself.

Those units work just fine for rigid metal conduit, but the bending shoes are the wrong sizes for EMT.

I have used mine to put small bends in 2" EMT a few times, but the pipe walls start to wrinkle and kink if you try to bend beyond 25-30 degrees or so.

[This message has been edited by NJwirenut (edited 02-16-2007).]

I use one fairly often for bending EMT up to 1 1/2".

Bends need to be made in stages, and be exceptionally gentle. I suspect a 15 degree bend is about the best you can do. As noted already, the shoes are not really sized for EMT.

As you might guess, the main use is for bending offsets.

I have been told that you can do 2" ... I have not had any luck on the two bends I've tried .... as well as more aggressive bends if you fill the pipe with sand.