How to Bend a 90 Degree Stub Using 1/2" EMT

In terms of conduit bending, a simple 90 degree bend is referred to as a "stub". A 90 degree bend is measured from the back of the completed bend to the bottom of the pipe. Another method when determining if the stub is a perfect right angle, place the 90 degree stub against the corner of a doorway, take into consideration that all doorways have perfect right angles, so if you were to put a stub against any corner than we know for a fact that our stub is indeed a perfect 90 degree bend.

In the electrical industry, a 90 degree bend is not only a commonly used bend, it's also the easiest bends you'll ever make.

The only way in determining what your stub height is, is by finding the required "take up" length. Take-up is the measurement you need in order to determine the height of the stub.

So let's say for example you need to make a stub, take out your tape measure or stick ruler and measure from point A (being the wall) to point B (being the corner) it's exactly 18 inches. Not only do you have your stub height which is 18 inches (take-up) but you also have your shrink value (decrease) since ½" EMT (has a minus 5 shrink value) you now have your given formula, 18 inches minus 5 is a total of 13 inches, by knowing this you can now mark the pipe at 13 inches and place it in the ½" EMT Bender, line it up with the arrow and bend it all the way until you think you've completed a perfect stub or until the bender handle looks like its in a 45 degree angle. Check the completed bend by placing your level on the stub and if it's right on the money you've just completed the perfect 90 degree bend. If your stub's not leveled than place the bender handle over it while maintaining constant foot pressure on the pipe and moving it to the required direction until you reach level.

So let's give you the steps in what you'll need to make a perfect 90 degree bend all on your own.

-A tape measure or stick ruler
-12 inch level

-A pencil
-A stick of ½"EMT pipe
-½" conduit bender

A Little Practice Test

-Land a 90 degree stub into a 4 by 4 box.

-From the wall to the 4 by 4 box it's 16 inches, it's the required measurement that you'll need to make your 90 degree bend.

1. You already know that the stub height has to be 16 inches because that's already given.

2. Take a stick of ½" EMT pipe and mark it at 11 inches since we already know that the stub height is 16 inches (take-up) minus the shrink value of ½" EMT pipe which is 5 inches therefore 16 inches minus 5 equates to 11 inches.

3. Make a mark at 11 inches on the pipe and place it on the inside of the ½" bender, place your foot on the shoe of the bender until you've reached your desired stub height (constant foot pressure), take the pipe out of the bender and check to see if it's leveled. If it's leveled great but if it's a little out of whack or way over bent there's no need to worry, simply take the bender handle place it over the stub with your level on it and move it in the required direction until the bubble on your level says it's leveled.

4. Now measure the stub length if it's 16 inches than it means you've done everything right, it was exactly the required length you needed in order to land the pipe into the 4 by 4 box.

Always remember one thing practice makes perfect. The more and more 90 degree stubs you continue to make in your electrical career the better you'll be at making that particular bend, as the same principle applies to many things in life.