Bending EMT conduit

[JoeFahey]

For my project I need to make a couple of "U" shaped pieces of EMT piping. The side lengths would be 2 feet long. Is it reasonable to bend the piping without a standard bender and just pull by hand in a vise? Would this create pinches in the bend? This would be for 2 90 degree bends (2 feet in between).

 

[waffleironhead]

For my project I need to make a couple of "U" shaped pieces of EMT piping. The side lengths would be 2 feet long. Is it reasonable to bend the piping without a standard bender and just pull by hand in a vise? Would this create pinches in the bend? This would be for 2 90 degree bends (2 feet in between).

yes

 

[TwiceOver]

Standard Conduit? Rent a pipe bender tool or take it to someone who does electric installations and they'll have the right tool.

A vice would work, but if you pull too much on it the tube will definitely crimp.

 

[D1gger]

Just get some flexible Electrical Metallic Tubing and you should be good to go. Otherwise it can be very easy to kink it when bending it without a proper bender.

 

[PottedMeat]

Depends on the diameter.

You can buy a bending tool + metal pipe for the handle at a hardware store for 1/2" or 1/2" and 3/4" EMT. They handle up to 90deg bends. They don't pinch the tubing very much - definitely not as much as you would if you did it by hand on a vise or something.

like this:
http://www.amazon.com/GB-931B-Gardn...ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1270837745&sr=1-2

 

[edro]

If you have a small torch, you could probably heat it up and bend it around a large pipe to get the radius you need.

Without heat or a pipe bender, I doubt it's possible without creases.

 

[feralkid]

Just get some flexible Electrical Metallic Tubing and you should be good to go. Otherwise it can be very easy to kink it when bending it without a proper bender.

EMT IS "conduit" (otherwise known as "thinwall") and it is NOT flexible.
What you linked is called FMC, commonly referred to as BX or armored cable,

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

impossible without a conduit bender. For what you need if you stop by an electrical contractor's shop in your area and ask them nicely they will probably bend your conduit for you in their shop.

 

[JEDI]

For my project I need to make a couple of "U" shaped pieces of EMT piping. The side lengths would be 2 feet long. Is it reasonable to bend the piping without a standard bender and just pull by hand in a vise? Would this create pinches in the bend? This would be for 2 90 degree bends (2 feet in between).

goto home depot
goto their electrical dept
get stick of 1/2" emt
get 1/2" bender

bend stick into shape you want.
(Bonus: use level from tool section to make sure your at 90 degrees)

goto cashier and pay for stick