Is a 24" radius elbow really 24"?

[Innovate1]

I got a 2" dia 24" radius bend from a local distributor and didn't measure but it seemed close to that so no issue. I just got a 1-1/2" x 24 radius bend from another place and had to order it since it wasn't stocked. It seems very undersized. I put in on top of my tractor tire that is almost exactly 48" outside diameter (24" radius) and it's nowhere close. It's from a big local distributor so didn't expect any issue. I put it over a front tractor wheel that is about 2'7" diameter and it is a bit tighter than that so I estimate slightly less than 15" radius. 18" is a standard large radius size so I am guessing they gave me an 18" by mistake. How much variation should I expect in these? On top of that they charged me a a hefty shipping charge even though I picked it up at their branch and no shipping was ever mentioned when I ordered and they took my credit card number.

 

[nadogail]

If the store wont make it right, call your credit card company.

 

[Innovate1]

Will see what they say. Looks like I may be back to bending my own. Have done a few before. Sizes below 2" are hard to find and most places can't get less than a box since they don't stock them.

 

[Innovate1]

When I went to return it they pulled out a tape measure and measured to the end of the conduit, including the straight end that was about 8" long and claimed it was 24". I pulled out my picture and said no way, that it was more like 18". They took it back with only a little grumbling, refunded the full amount, and claimed they didn't have 18" radius parts so it couldn't be that. Their supplier must define 24" radius pretty loosely. Hence, my original question of is this normal or are large radius elbows typically the radius they claim or at least reasonably close.

 

[mm08822]

Depends what is stocked or ordered.
http://www.primeconduit.com/Brochures/Sch_4080_Conduit.pdf

 

[MattT]

Radius is measured at the pipe centerline, not on the inside, so a 24" bend isn't going to be a tight fit on a 48" tire. Just eyeballing the picture it looks closer to 24" than 18" to me.

 

[Innovate1]

Radius is measured at the pipe centerline, not on the inside, so a 24" bend isn't going to be a tight fit on a 48" tire. Just eyeballing the picture it looks closer to 24" than 18" to me.

The tire in the picture shown is about 30" od - I went back and see I didn't make that clear. I didn't post of pic of the 48" OD rear tire as it wasn't even close. Even allowing a couple inches for the width of the conduit making it 32" that would make the radius 16". Willing to allow a bit more and call it 18" and I know those are made. No way it is 24".

 

[MattT]

The tire in the picture shown is about 30" od - I went back and see I didn't make that clear. I didn't post of pic of the 48" OD rear tire as it wasn't even close. Even allowing a couple inches for the width of the conduit making it 32" that would make the radius 16". Willing to allow a bit more and call it 18" and I know those are made. No way it is 24".

Now you mention it 48" would be a bit large for a front wheel

An 18" centerline radius should be about 17" inside radius. That bend is a good bit under 15" so not even close to an 18".

 

[Zeke]

I wonder if the distributor is calling that a 24" by laying one leg flat on the floor and measuring to the top of the other. By the pic, that would seem to be the case.

 

[Innovate1]

I wonder if the distributor is calling that a 24" by laying one leg flat on the floor and measuring to the top of the other. By the pic, that would seem to be the case.

Yes. That is how they measured to try to show me it was 24" radius but that gives a number greater than the actual bend radius. It adds the 6 - 8" of straight section at the end. Other bends I have seen carry the bend much closer to the end.

 

[Zeke]

Well, there's a true radius bend and there's a 24" bend.