Klein Tools 56206 User Manual

Arrow

saddle b

ends.

Star Point

Angle Marks

situations

Conduit Bender Guide

Center

of Bend Rim

Notches

Klein Tools

1-¼”

EMT: #56211

Klein Tools

Conduit Bending Basics:

The line of Klein Tools conduit benders have been designed for performance and durability exceeding
the expectations of today’s professional. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with bending
concepts, techniques and learn the bender’s functionality to provide you a positive experience while
greatly improving the overall outcome of your project.

Conduit come in two types, EMT and Rigid conduits and can be found in various sizes. Klein Tools
provides conduit benders for EMT in ½”, ¾”, 1” and 1-¼” conduit and ½”, ¾”, and 1” Rigid conduit.

To aid bending when performing a ground or air bend, the benders are marked with different alignment
symbols to help the operator create the bends necessary to accomplish any project. The symbols found
on the Klein Tools benders are the arrow, the teardrop, the star point and angle markings. These
markings are found on various sides of the bender head.

Ductile Iron Series:

½” EMT: #56203
¾

” EMT: #56204

1” EMT: #56205

Uses: Locates the center of a

saddle bend.

Aluminum Series:

½” EMT: #56206
¾” EMT: #56207

Uses: Stub-up, Offset
and outer marking of

Stub Height

Uses: Number to use

for bender take-up.

The 4 most common bends to know how to make are the 90° Stub-Up, Back to Back, Offset and the 3
Point Saddle bends. It is common to use a combination of the bender markings when making certain
tube profiles. Knowing the proper technique and method of making the bends will allow you to
accomplish most projects efficiently.

Things to remember while bending:

1. A proper bend is made by rolling the conduit about the bender in the conduit’s cradle using all foot pressure.

2. Use the correct size bender for the conduit size being bent.

3. Some over bending may be required to allow for spring back of the conduit. The resting condition of the conduit is to be at
the final angle desired.

4. Measure and properly mark your conduit using the tables and information provided.

5. Floor bending: Make sure conduit is secure so it does not slide prior to bending. Apply ample foot pressure to the benders
heel while minimizing the use of the handle as a lever but more of a guide.

6. Air Bending: Make sure handle’s hilt is secure on ground and is reinforced by your foot so it does not slide out. Make sure
you are balanced and apply force close to the tool and your body controlling the tubing as you bend it around the bender’s
cradle making sure the conduit does not slide in the bender head.

7. To prevent injury, always wear protective gear and do not over exert.

Uses: Back bends.

Uses: Offset, saddle bends

and various installation

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90° Stub-Up Bend:

½”

EMT

5”

¾” EMT

6” 1” EMT

8”

1-¼” EMT

11”

The stub bend is made by bending a piece of conduit into an L shape or 90° bend by placing the free end
(short end) of the tube to a predetermined length as indicated in the diagram below. This is the most
common bend and is a building block for other bends. Common uses for this bend are: Running conduit
into electrical boxes, running conduit up or down walls, running conduit into walls through floors and
ceilings and making inner and outer corner turns.

Bender Take Up Table

90° Stub-Up Bend

Conduit

Size

and ½” Rigid

and ¾” Rigid

and 1” Rigid

1. Determine the overall free end height of the conduit you want after the bend.

2. From the overall free height, subtract the stub height listed in the Bender Take-Up Table for the

conduit size you are bending. Klein Tools has provided the correct stub height on each bender head.

3. On the conduit, measure from the free end to be bent up the calculated number and mark the

conduit.

Stub

Height

Amount to subtract

from Measurement

As an example, to bend 3/4” EMT conduit have a free end height
of 8.5”, the table indicates to subtract 6” from the 8.5” which
leave 2.5” from the end to bend up to make the mark.

Advanced benders can lay a tape measure next to the conduit and perform the
bending operations if the bend does not call for high degree of accuracy.

4. Always use the proper size conduit bender for the conduit size being

bent. The conduit will not bend properly and/or will be damaged if a
mismatch of bender and conduit size is used. Place the bender onto the
tubing with the hook pointed towards the free end to be bent upwards.
Make sure the conduit is resting properly in the bender’s hook and
lineup the arrow symbol with the mark you placed on the tubing.

Tip:

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5. Keeping the conduit flat, apply ample foot pressure to the bender’s heel minimizing the use of

the handle as a lever, rolling up the free end into the 90° position checking the degree with a
level. When done properly the free end will be at the desired height and the arrow will be at
the stub height as indicated.

In some installations there will be a need to cut down the
unbent side of the conduit to another desired length to fit
the installation. Use a tube cutter for smooth precise
cutting and burr removal to ensure the safety of the
electrical wiring when pulled through. A hacksaw can be
substituted as long as the tubing’s cut edge is prepared
properly.

Klein Tools Tube Cutter: #88975 & 88977
K

lein Tools Hacksaw: #701-10, 701 -12 &701 -S

Klein Tools Level: #931-6RE & 931-7RE

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Back to Back Bends:

The back to back bend is the next style of bend that is needed while running electrical conduit. In reality
the concept is formulated by the need to know the distance from the back edge of a 90° bend to a fixed
point down the conduit to mark for other bend operations to meet the installation requirement. As you
will see it builds on the 90° stub bend and when done the most common use of this bend will look like
an elongated U.

You will need to know this bend method when you want to fit conduit between two parallel surfaces
such as two walls or joists while keeping the U’s outer edges of the legs touching the two surfaces. This
allows for proper anchoring and a nice clean appearance.

1. Determine the distance between

the two parallel surfaces to get the
dimension for back to back bend.

2. The first bend for the back to back bend is the 90°

stub-up bend. Follow the steps from the 90° Stub­Up section to create the ideal bend for the
connection on the first side.

3. From the back edge of the 90° stub-up bend,

measure the distance found in step 1 and make
your mark on the conduit.

4. Place the bender on the conduit with the bender’s hook facing the free end of the tube to be

bent opposite the original bend side. Make sure the conduit is resting properly in the bender’s
cradle and lineup the Star Point Symbol with the mark you placed on the tubing.

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