74-020 - Uncategorized IDEAL - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Conduit Bender with Handle
Model Number (Handle)	74-020
Handle Length	44 inches
Handle Material	Extra High Strength Steel
Bender Head Material	Ductile Iron or Lightweight Aluminum
Compatible Conduit	1" EMT, 3/4" and 1" Rigid/IMC
Bender Marks	Arrow, Rim Notch, Star-Point, Degree Scale
Bending Capabilities	Stub, Back-to-Back, Offset, Saddle, Hickey
Take-Up For Stubs	6 inches (for 3/4" EMT)
Offset Bending	22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60° angles supported
Saddle Bend Angles	45° center with 22.5° outer, or 60° center with 30° outer
Operation	Heavy foot pressure when bending on floor; body pressure close when in air
Correction for Overbend	Use back pusher or expanded end of handle to straighten
Shrinkage Consideration	Allow for shrink amount when bending offsets (see table)
Maintenance	Keep conduit in bender groove to prevent kinking; clean after use
Safety	Use proper foot pressure to avoid slipping; wear protective gear
Included Accessories	None (handle only; bender head sold separately)
Warranty	Manufacturer warranty applies (details not specified)

Frequently Asked Questions - 74-020 IDEAL

How do I bend a stub using my IDEAL bender?

Measure the desired stub height, subtract the take-up (e.g., 6 inches for 3/4" EMT), mark the conduit, align the Arrow mark on the bender with the conduit mark, and bend to 90° using heavy foot pressure.

What is the take-up value for 3/4-inch EMT conduit?

The take-up for 3/4" EMT is 6 inches. This is the amount subtracted from the stub height when marking the conduit.

How do I make a back-to-back bend?

After making the first 90° bend, measure to the point where the second bend's back is desired (mark B). Mark the conduit at that same distance, align the mark with the Star-Point on the bender, and bend to 90°.

What is the Star-Point used for?

The Star-Point indicates the back of a 90° bend and is used for back-to-back bends to ensure accurate alignment.

How do I perform an offset bend?

Measure the distance to the obstruction, add the shrink amount from the table, make the first mark. Place the second mark at the distance between bends. Align the Arrow with the first mark, bend to the chosen angle using the Degree Scale, then rotate the conduit 180°, align the Arrow again, and make the second bend.

What angles can I use for offset bends?

Common angles are 22.5°, 30°, 45°, and 60°. Shallow angles make wire pulling easier; steeper angles conserve space.

How do I make a saddle bend to go over an obstruction?

Use a 45° center bend and two 22.5° outer bends (or 60° center with 30° outer). Mark the center at the obstruction location plus a move-ahead per inch (3/16"), and outer marks at 2.5 inches per inch of obstruction height from center. Bend center mark at Rim Notch to 45°, then outer marks at Arrow to 22.5°.

What is the Rim Notch used for?

The Rim Notch locates the center of a saddle bend. Align the center mark with the Rim Notch when bending the center of the saddle.

Can I use the bender with rigid or IMC conduit?

Yes, the handle model 74-020 is compatible with 3/4" and 1" Rigid/IMC conduit when used with the appropriate bender heads (e.g., 74-003, 74-006).

How do I fix an overbent conduit?

Use the back pusher or the expanded end of the bender handle to gently straighten the conduit to the correct angle.

USER MANUAL 74-020 IDEAL

Close-up of a person's foot stepping on a metal bicycle pedal, showing tread pattern and measurement markings (no text or symbols)

Bender Guide

Features

Your IDEAL Bender has engineered features which include:

1. Arrow

To be used with stub, offset and outer marks of saddle bends.

2. Rim Notch

Locates the center of a saddle bend.

3. Star-Point

Indicates the back of a 90° bend.

4. Degree Scale

For offsets, saddles and those special situations.

5. A Choice

High strength ductile iron or light weight aluminum.

The above are features that lead to perfectly predictable and repeatable bends.

Instructions

Bend conduit with skill and professionalism. Take the guess-work out of bending.

Steps to Remember

Step 1. Measure your job.

Step 2. Mark you conduit using the recommended tables.

Step 3. Use your bender's engineered marks.

Note: Reference to the above Steps 1, 2, and 3 will be made throughout this booklet.

Don't Forget

• When bending on the floor, pin the conduit to the floor. Use heavy foot pressure.
• When bending in the air, exert pressure as close to your body as possible.

- In case you overbend, use the back pusher or the expanded end of the bender handle to straighten your conduit to fit the job.

How to Bend a Stub

The stub is the most common bend. Note that your bender is marked with the "take-up" of the arc of the bender shoe.

Example:

Consider making a 14" stub, using a 3/4" EMT conduit.

Step 1. The IDEAL bender indicates stubs 6" to ↑. Simply subtract the take-up, or 6", from the finished stub height. In this case 14" minus 6" = 8".

Step 2. Mark the conduit 8" from the end.

Step 3. Line up the Arrow on the bender with the mark on the conduit and bend to 90°.

Remember: Heavy Foot pressure is critical to keep the EMT in the bender groove and to prevent kinked conduit.

How to Make Back-To-Back Bends

A back-to-back bend produces a "U" shape in a single length of conduit. Use the same technique for a conduit run across the floor or ceiling which turns up or down a wall.

Example:

Step 1. After the first 90^ bend has been made, measure to the point where the back of the second bend is to be, "B".

Step 2. Measure and mark your conduit the same distance, mark "B".

Step 3. Align the mark on the conduit with the Star-Point on the bender and bend to 90°.

Star-Point on bender must be referenced for accurate bends.

How to make an Offset Bend

The offset bend is used when an obstruction requires a change in the conduit's plane.

Before making an offset bend, you must choose the most appropriate angles for the offset. Keep in mind that shallow bends make for easier wire pulling, steeper bends conserve space.

You must also consider that the conduit shrinks due to the detour. Remember to ignore the shrink when working away from the obstruction, but be sure to consider it when working into it.

Example:

Step 1. Measure the distance from the last coupling to the obstruction.

Step 2. Add the “shrink amount” from the table on page 5 to the measured distance and make your first mark. Your second mark will be placed at the “distance between bends.” (Refer to table on page 5.)

Step 3. Align the Arrow with the first mark and using the Degree Scale bend to the chosen angle. Slide down the conduit and rotate conduit 180°, align the Arrow and bend as illustrated.

Bend offsets in the air. Remember to keep your body pressure close to the bender.

First Bend

Example:

30° Bend with a 6" Offset Depth

Distance Between Bends ← 12" | 1-1/2" → Shrink Amount

Reference Table for Offset Bends

Degree of Bend

Offset Depth (Inches)	22-1/2°		30°		45°		60°
	2" 5-1/4" 3/8"
	3" 7-3/4" 9/16" 6" 3/4"
	4" 10-1/2" 3/4" 8" 1"
	5" 13" 15/16" 10" 1- /4" 7" 1-7/8"
	6" 15-1/2" 1-1/8" 12" 1-1/2" 8-1/2"	2-1/4" 7-1/4" 3"
	7" 18-1/4" 1-5/16" 14" 1-3/4" 9-3/8" 2-5/8" 8-3/8" 3-1/2"
	8" 20-3/4" 1-1/2" 16" 2" 11-1/4" 3"	9-5/8" 4"
	9" 23-1/2" 1-3/4" 18" 2-1/4" 12-1/8"	3-3/8" 10-7/8"	4-1/2"
	10"	28" 1-7/8" 20" 2-1/2"	4" 3-3/4" 12" 5"

How to Make Saddle Bends

The saddle bend is similar to an offset bend, but in this case the same plane is resumed. It is used most often when another pipe is encountered.

Most common is a 45^ center bend and two 22-1/2^ outer bends, but you can use a 60^ center bend and two 30^ bends.

Simple line drawing of a curved pipe or duct with a circular opening, no text or symbols present.

Important: Use the same calculation for either set of angles.

Example:

Step 1. You encounter a 3" O.D. pipe 4 feet from the last coupling. The formula shown in the chart below indicates that for each inch of outside diameter of the obstruction, you must move your center mark ahead 3/16" per inch of obstruction height and make your outer marks 2-1/2" per inch of obstruction height from the center mark.

Step 2. The following table gives the actual mark spacings. In this example, the center mark is moved ahead 9/16" to 48-9/16". The outer marks are 7-1/2" from the center mark, or 41-1/16" and 56-1/16". Mark you conduit at these points.

If Obstruction is	Move Your Center Mark Ahead	Make Outside Marks From Center Mark
1" 3/16" 2-1/2"
2" 3/8" 5"
3" 9/16" 7-1/2"
4" 3/4" 10"
5" 15/16" 12-1/2"
6" 1-1/8" 15"

Step 3.

(A) Align the center mark with the Rim Notch and bend to 45^ .

(B) Do not remove the conduit from the bender. Slide the bender down to the next mark and line up with the Arrow. Bend to 22-1/2° as indicated.

(C) Remove and reverse the conduit and locate the other remaining mark at the Arrow. Bend to 22-1/2° as indicated.

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Line drawing of a mechanical clamp or bracket assembly (no text or symbols)

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Be sure to line up all bends to be in the same plane.

Hickeys

Hickeys require a different approach to bending. It is not a fixed radious device but rather one that requires several movements per bend. The hickey can give you the advantage of producing bends with a very tight radius.

Pure mechanical diagram showing a lever and shaft assembly without any text or symbols

Order Information

Conduit Size	Ductile Iron Bender	Bender	Aluminum Hickey	Handle
EMT
1/2"	74-001		74-031	74-010	74-019
3/4"	74-002		74-032	74-011	74-019
1"	74-003		74-033	74-012	74-020
1-1/4"	74-006		74-036	74-013	74-021
Rigid/IMC
1/2"	74-002		74-032	74-011	74-019
3/4"	74-003		74-033	74-012	74-020
1"	74-006		74-036	74-013	74-021
Handles
3/4" IPS 38" Long Expanded Extra High Strength Handle					74-019
1" IPS 44" Long Extra High Strength Handle					74-020
1-1/4" IPS 54" Long Extra High Strength Handle					74-021

The IDEAL bender line gives you the engineering design, indicator marks and durability to bend conduit with ease and confidence.