How to bend and install electrical conduit

Before I was a builder I spent many years as an electrician and roughing in and bending electrical conduit or EMT for new construction. A few weeks ago I decided to film a how to video about the basics that I use when bending conduit for a new construction house.

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[davenag]

A few tips from a guy bending in Chicagoland since 1977. Loose the loaded toolpouch when running pipe. You don't need all that weight slowing you down. All you need are uninsulated 420 channelocks, a screwdriver with a Klein reamer attached, tape measure, pencil and 4 pocket nail apron. You want to be able to work light and fast and have everything you need right in that nail apron. Using a marker is bad for exposed work as it bleeds through paint and you're always having to take the cap off and on the marker which slows you down. Upgrade to a small battery impact for mounting boxes and tightening fittings. Wear sturdy shoes or your right foot will kill you at the end of the day from the bender. Get a short radius bender as you may need it for close quarter work. I used a hand hacksaw thirty-plus years. It killed my shoulder. If you're going to do a lot of this get yourself a small metal cutting circular saw such as a Bosch or Makita. It really speeds up the job and saves your body. After a while the math gets easy so strive to do the numbers in your head. Avoid coming into the side of any switch boxes. The fittings extend into the box and will obstruct any large size dimmers or timers that you may want to install later, especially if you're going to have a 2 Gang installation. I try to just use top and bottom knockouts everywhere. Switch boxes should be 2 1/8 in deep instead of the standard inch and a half deep 1900 bracket box. They cost a little more but you have more room in the box for dimmer's, timers and more wires that are required with multi-location switches. Believe it or not you can put in 400 or 500 ft 1/2 inch thin wall a day once you're proficient at it. Try to make it look good even though it's going to get covered with drywall. Inspectors love to see good pipe work as it's a key indicator that you know what you're doing.

[Jumaforever]

Thank you for showing your mistakes and fixing them. <3

[dreadheaddj]

im an electrician and ive been watching youtube videos just to re learn what i forgot & you are amazing a guy that actually knows what he's doing and talking about

[vobinh]

Hello, I am a civil electrical and water construction repairman in Vietnam, I really admire your work. I have learned many things about electrical system construction techniques that you have instructed on this YouTube channel. Wishing you good health and success

[HelloDapp]

Great video! Electrician here as well. Just a little 2 cents for anyone interested; since he was using 1/2 inch pipe, the take up (or deduction, the part you subtract when bending a 90 on the arrow) was 5". However, keep in mind, that these change from size to size. So if you're using 3/4", the deduction is 6". If you're using 1", the deduction is 8". As he said in the video, it will be listed on the bender. Also, if you don't want to do the deduction, you can do something called "bending on center". Usually this is denoted on the bender by a star, and this allows you to just mark your exact measurement, and line the mark up with the star, as opposed to the arrow. Just a little less math involved is all.

I work mainly commercial, but most of this information was very useful for anyone just starting off/doing a home project. This is stuff i only learned after being at many sites. I've never seen those bracket 1900s though, those are pretty nice!

[rayjackson]

Bob- I am a carpenter, contractor and home inspector. I learned a lot of little trick from you
Nice job explaining.

[thatroll]

Nice and concise. I, as an apprentice struggle with efficiency and its nice to see someone finally describe a good workflow.

[jstone]

so nice to see a pro admit he missed it...then showed how to fix it. that is my life, fixing my little mistakes. I have a job that I need to use EMT....looks easy enough..(LOL)

[trackdork]

This is one of the best tutorials. So many show everyone going right and make it simple looking. He shows what can go wrong and how to fix that. Because I know I'm going to run into so many problems.

[mr.g]

That's pretty boss you called yourself out on that small mishap with the conduit... RESPECT!! Showing how to measure the bend properly is going to be very helpful...ty. I've just been eyeballing it, and believe me, alot of wasted time having to recut

[scottsmith]

Great job. I retired from the trade after 50 years. Worked on everything from 115k on down to 24vdc. Had a great time too. Take care and best of everything.

[ncameron]

The name 1900 Electrical Box comes from the part number given by the Bossert Company almost a hundred years ago.

[boing]

I want to get into this. Im tired of doing nothing in my life. I wanna feel accomplished and do work that makes me feel good that I or we did this. On monday im going to a school for electrical work. Im gonna make a difference in my life. I want change..

[philliprgarcia]

I am learning how to add an extra power outlet in my garage as I only have two on two walls but need one on the third. This video was helpful. thank you.

[Dynamice]

Those shallow boxes really cramp my style. I always use deep 4s boxes, 2-1/8" deep. They cost a bit more but the extra room is golden for installing dimmers and GFCI's

[funnyharleyman]

I’m retired now but for years (and still do) I have a 12volt Milwaukee powered hacksaw, it’s small and light. Hand hacksaws are disappearing. I’ve seen some of the new guys coming up using small battery bandsaws! And I always use 1900SPD (deep boxes) for switches and a given for GFI’s, for the small price difference they give you extra room and less of a headache. Also, when your done, step back and look at everything, better to change it now than when the walls are rocked.

[raphaelsanchez]

You are not just a masterful technician, you are a masterful teacher. Thank you!

[nealheardjr]

Thank you man, i knew conduit bending but you explained the whole process from bracket box to installing conduit. Youre a good guy.

[bocaveli]

Great video. I like that you showed the hiccups also and what to learn from for someone that has never done it. I wouldn't worry about talking slower. It's a video so we can always pause, rewind, but slow deliveries take forever to get through. Wouldn't change a thing.

[ybeykoz]

whoever built that shed, they did an excellent job looks like. they built that like a house, more than a shed which is awesome.