Conduit Whoops

smalltown · Oct 17, 2015

Slowly installing my conduit. Thought I had everything planned out.
I want to install a 12x12 junction box directly above my sub panel, and now realize that the two 1" knockouts on the junction box do not line up with the two on the sub panel.
Measuring on the junction box my two connectors are 2" apart center to center. On the sub panel they are 4" apart. I don't have a conduit bender, and would hate to buy one for a one time bend.

I have checked out rigid ****** offsets, but only found ones that move the conduit over 3/4 ", and even they had threads on both ends. (I would need threads on one end, and an EMT coupling on the other). I wondering about two 45 degree elbows?

Any advice?

P.S. I see know why electricians would opt for a junction box without knockouts, and make their own holes where needed.

thewatusi · Oct 17, 2015

Why do you want a junction box above the panel?

rkevins · Oct 17, 2015

do you have room to drill 2 holes in one of the boxes so they match, you can use a holesaw

AndyCBR · Oct 17, 2015

Gonna have to drill/knockout new holes.

Yes to blank boxes, it seems the prepunched ones never work out right and then they are a ***** to drill.

If it is indoor can you flip the junction box to a different side?

smalltown · Oct 17, 2015

thewatusi my garage was planned to have all the wiring in exposed conduit. I really dislike rodents. This time of year especially they are making runs to get inside.

Hate to try and make new holes, but if that's what it takes.

No the box knockouts are the same on four sides.

thewatusi · Oct 17, 2015

So connect the conduit directly to the panel. what am I missing?

Slowgsr · Oct 17, 2015

Make your own holes, standard practice.

1 3/8" hole saw if using 1" emt
1 1/4" - 3/4 Emt
7/8" - 1/2" Emt

Charles (in GA) · Oct 17, 2015

Why the junction box? Just something to have to keep track of for fill purposes, etc.

Charles

zmaxmotorsports · Oct 17, 2015

Picture?

Cmreschke · Oct 18, 2015

1 1/8" for 3/4. Not 1 1/4".

Shiftless · Oct 18, 2015

You probably wouldn't like the look of flexible conduit but that might be one solution.

So go ahead and buy a conduit bender. You said you like exposed conduit so you'll probably get a chance to use it in the near future. Another option is to sell it on Craigslist after you're done with it. Somebody would buy an essentially new tool like that. Or might a buddy have one he could loan you? Or find a tool rental yard? If it was me, I'd just buy one.

ford33 · Oct 18, 2015

Conduit benders sell on Craigslist quickly. I see them all the time and for a fair price. Buy one on Craigslist and then sell it when finished. Might cost you nothing in the end.

NUTTSGT · Oct 18, 2015

My step-dad always said, make the holes fit the conduit, not vice-versa. He was an industrial electrician.

Red_Rattller · Oct 18, 2015

or if theres a correct but wrong size K/O in the panel just drill it out to the proper size with a uni-bit

smalltown · Oct 19, 2015

Well after checking HD and Lowe's I found a private seller selling some older benders for a good price. Made arrangements to pick them up tomorrow. For my needs they should be more than adequate. They are older benders, but sometimes older tools are more robust.
I post a picture tomorrow.

smalltown · Oct 20, 2015

Well I brought them home what do you think?
First photo from the left 3: 1" benders, 1: 3/4", and 1: 1/2".
Slightly below is some sort of bender that I have never seen. I added a close up in photo 4.
Photo 2 , and 3 show some sort of cutter: jaws are not open all the way in the photo 2, closed in photo 3. Seller did not know anything about the "cutter"
From the look of the cutter" I am guessing it's a large cable cutter?

I was pleasantly surprised after shiftless, and Ford 33 suggested l look on Facebook. Seller asked for $50 for all the pieces shown.

Now I've got to learn how to bend that 1" EMT conduit offset.

LutzTD · Oct 20, 2015

smalltown said:
Well I brought them home what do you think?
First photo from the left 3: 1" benders, 1: 3/4", and 1: 1/2".
Slightly below is some sort of bender that I have never seen. I added a close up in photo 4.
Photo 2 , and 3 show some sort of cutter: jaws are not open all the way in the photo 2, closed in photo 3. Seller did not know anything about the "cutter"
From the look of the cutter" I am guessing it's a large cable cutter?

I was pleasantly surprised after shiftless, and Ford 33 suggested l look on Facebook. Seller asked for $50 for all the pieces shown.

Now I've got to learn how to bend that 1" EMT conduit offset.

wow, great score. blue ones for cutting big cable. little ones great for making tight jogs to clear some small obstruction or for a level change

lots of good how to videos on the web for reading the bender markings to get the bend you want

MikeYC · Oct 20, 2015

#4 is a hickey

zmaxmotorsports · Oct 20, 2015

smalltown said:
Well I brought them home what do you think?
First photo from the left 3: 1" benders, 1: 3/4", and 1: 1/2".
Slightly below is some sort of bender that I have never seen. I added a close up in photo 4.
Photo 2 , and 3 show some sort of cutter: jaws are not open all the way in the photo 2, closed in photo 3. Seller did not know anything about the "cutter"
From the look of the cutter" I am guessing it's a large cable cutter?

I was pleasantly surprised after shiftless, and Ford 33 suggested l look on Facebook. Seller asked for $50 for all the pieces shown.

Now I've got to learn how to bend that 1" EMT conduit offset.

The first lesson in bending conduit is to remember 5"/6"/8",Thats your take ups for 1/2" ,3/4" and 1" emt when bending 90s.
Others will add to this as we go Im sure.

Hangar Pilot · Oct 21, 2015

Smalltown the blue tool is for cutting slotted angle (metal lumber). Here is an example.

http://akflow.com/index.cfm?mf=browse.showPart&partClassID=3916&PName=Slotted Angle

It works like a shear. It's made to set on the floor. You open it up, slid your piece of material in and push down. It makes a nice clean cut.

ford33 · Oct 21, 2015

Nice score!

To learn to bend conduit, visit Gardner Bender site and download the "How to Guide" for bending conduit. Practice on some 1/2" conduit. It is not that difficult to get it right but does take practice.

zmaxmotorsports · Oct 21, 2015

ford33 said:
Nice score!

To learn to bend conduit, visit Gardner Bender site and download the "How to Guide" for bending conduit. Practice on some 1/2" conduit. It is not that difficult to get it right but does take practice.

If you can get your hands on any of jack benfields books theyre really good also,He was actually one of the developers of emt back in the day.

raddksn · Oct 21, 2015

MikeYC said:
#4 is a hickey

Yes #4 is a hickey. And used on GRS (galvanized ridged steel), if you try it on thin wall it will kink and or crush it!

Some times also used to carefully bend larger cables.

Smoking deal also!!!

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