SEPT 6 - FOUR POINT SADDLE TIPS
DAILY REFLECTIONS OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AS AN ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE
🚧 DAILY OVERVIEW
JOB SITE: PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL
PROJECT: LIGHTING RETROFIT
WHAT DID I DO TODAY?
The past few days, a mechanic showed me how to bend 3/4” EMT into a four-point saddle.
👨🏻🔧 LEARNING SKILLS
What did I learn today — technically or practically?
Tips to remember when bending four point saddle:
Conduit comes in 10 foot lengths. When bending a four point saddle, start at the center of the pipe. This makes it easier to handle the material and prevents dog legging.
Measure the rise and run of the obstruction.
Measure the distance from the box to the center of the obstruction.
Mark the center of the full length of EMT.
Mark the center of the 10 foot length of conduit, at the 5 foot mark.
Divide the run in half. Mark either side of the center mark.
Memorize the multiplier for 30° and 45°. The multiplier for a 30° bend is two. The multiplier for a 45° band is 1.4.
Multiply the rise by the multiplier to get the distance between bend marks.
When using the center of the conduit to create a four point saddle, there is no need to calculate shrinkage.
When bending get in a crouched position, face the bender and pull with both arms as I press downward into the heel of the bender.
The real skill in bending is not only making a straight bend in the same plane but being able to correct when there is a dog leg, over bend or under bend.
Keep a level handy when bending.