Working at a site as an electrician may at times expose you to conditions where wirings would appear to be more exposed to elements without bolstered shielding. Every skilled person in the trade knows that this creates a situation where the electrical system is rendered susceptible to damage.
When mere insulation that comes with wires is not enough to provide protection in a given schema, it often takes another layer of “insulation” in the form of electrical conduit to do the job. Often, among other things, it has to be a rigid conduit.
Best Mechanical Conduit Benders for Electricians
Rigid conduits are indeed just that—they are stiff and “seemingly unbending” which comes in a form of straight metallic pipe. But “seemingly invulnerable to bending” does not makes it so. These tough metals will also bend when a right tool is employed which renders the right level of force—specifically, a conduit bender.
There is already a wide assortment of conduit benders in the market, each classification of which catering to specific demand of their consumers—typically on factors of efficiency, relative ease of use, and cost.
If cost is a major concern and finding a working tool is a must, often a mechanical conduit bender makes for an easy choice as it can be the least expensive of all available options and yet still get the job done.
If that is indeed the predicament, all the more reason you should opt for a mechanical conduit bender. But do not settle for just anything that comes your way, choose only the best.
1. Imperial Tool 470FH
It is a common standard that a mechanical conduit bender must be many times stronger than the pipe it bends. Otherwise, a non-satisfactory outcome will ensue.
The Imperial Tool 470FH lives up to this notion by bearing the strength and ruggedness of one of the strongest metals known in science, with it essentially being aluminum in build. While, technically, the 470FH is not capable of bending conduits of all sizes, it, however, does its job perfectly for pipes having the following sizes: 3/16″, 1/4″, 5/16″ and 3/8″.
One major advantage of a mechanical conduit bender like the Imperial Tool 470FH among other products of its kind is that of its relative portability. With a design that is light enough—thanks to the “lightweight” nature of aluminum— to be carried literally anywhere by hands, the 470FH is an easy companion at any working site that requires pipe-bending.
Furthermore, the 470FH also makes for a lovely tool to use in that it’s ergonomically-made with the human hands in mind. Even when bare-handed, this tool can easily be employed when needed.
2. Gardner Bender 931B
If you are in the lookout for a non-clamp type mechanical conduit bender that could bend wither a ¾” or ½” metallic pipe, the Gardner Bender 931B’s adherence to the “hand bender” schematics makes its overall design simple, yet relatively easy to use and very functional. Unlike the clamp design which insinuates the need for greater force when making a bend, the hand bender structure makes the process significantly less effort-intensive and even less time-consuming.
Another major convenience with comes with a hand bender like the Gardner Bender 931B is its incorporation of the foot pedal which promotes a level of consistency for every bend. It makes for a very handy feature especially for a task which involves the bending of multiple conduits with relative uniformity.
But like any top-quality mechanical conduit bender available in the market, the source of Gardner Bender 931B’s power and durability come from the aluminum to which it is built.
There is also a layer of sophistication employed with the 931B’s appearance as seen on the elaborate physical layout which significantly separates it from the plain and the crude. If looks mean anything to you as a consumer, then the 921B’s overall presentation will not disappoint.
3. OTC 6515
At almost half the price as the Imperial Tool 470FH, the OTC 6515 reduced capability makes it a cheaper alternative and may not be a major concern if the subject of its use ranges only between three dimensions: 1/4″, 5/16″, and 3/8″ (significantly lacking the 3/16” support which the 470FH is capable of).
In terms of looks, this clamp style mechanical conduit bender is also plainer-looking and is less ergonomic-inclined. This is that kind of tool that can leave a mark on your hands if used without the right protective equipment.
Yet, while it “pales” in comparison when it comes to overall capability, aesthetics, and comfort, the OTC6515 is no slouch when it comes to actual performance, which is why it made this list. Consumers swear that, with relative familiarity, the OTC6515 is able to deliver the ideal result which many of its users would typically demand.
If, therefore, you are looking for a cheap tool for your conduit-bending needs, but one that does the deliver good quality to its intended functionality, you can never go wrong in choosing OTC 6515.
4. Klein Tools 56206
The label “Klein Tools” is an icon among crafts people with it being in business for the last 162 years. Not only is it a brand that has been tested with time, it is one that also learned to evolve as it innovates on its products with the purpose of boosting performance and making jobs done with relative ease.
Although most electricians would already familiarize themselves with Klein Tools based one of the many tools they have in their overall arsenal, the Klein Tools 56206 would easily make for a great addition, as far as pipe-bending is concerned.
Essentially another “hand bender” tool to make the list, it is hard not to compare Klein Tools 56206 with the Gardner Bender 931B in all aspects of comparison.
Appearance-wise, the Klein Tools 56206 is less ornate of the two. But being less embellished does not necessarily makes it shabby—it only employs less sophisticated aesthetics which, often is the case, does nothing but make a product glamorous to the eyes.
However, looks aside, the Klein Tools 56206 makes for a great contender whose premium build is able to deliver a world-class performance similar to Gardner Bender 931B.