1/2" EMT bender deduct (take-up)
By Andrew ·
Quick answer
On most hand benders the deduct for 1/2" EMT is 5". Subtract it from the stub length to find where to mark the conduit, measured from the end, and line that mark up with the arrow on the bender. A 12" stub is marked at 7". Individual benders differ, so check the number on yours.
1/2" EMT deduct by bender
Most hand benders deduct 5" for 1/2" EMT.
| Bender | Deduct (take-up) | Centerline radius |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner Bender Big Ben (Aluminum hand bender) | 5" | 4 1/16" |
| Greenlee aluminum hand bender | 5" | 4 3/16" |
| Greenlee iron hand bender | 5" | 4 3/16" |
| IDEAL aluminum hand bender | 5" | 4" |
| IDEAL ductile iron hand bender | 5" | 4" |
| Klein Tools aluminum hand bender | 5" | 4 5/8" |
| Klein Tools iron hand bender | 5" | 4 5/8" |
| Milwaukee aluminum hand bender | 5" | 4" |
| Milwaukee iron hand bender | 5" | 4" |
| Southwire aluminum hand bender | 5" | 4 1/2" |
| Gardner Bender Sidewinder (Mechanical, Chicago-style) | 5 5/8" | 3 5/16" |
| Current Tools 77 Series (Multi-shoe) | 7" | 4 1/4" |
| Gardner Bender Electric Sidewinder (Multiple 180° shoes) | 7" | 4 1/4" |
| Greenlee 555 (Multi-shoe) | 7" | 4 1/2" |
| Current Tools 747 Omni (Combo shoe) | 7 1/2" | 4 5/16" |
| Current Tools 77 Series (Single shoe) | 7 1/2" | 4 5/16" |
| Greenlee 555 (Combo shoe) | 7 1/2" | 4 5/16" |
| Greenlee 555 (Single shoe) | 7 1/2" | 4 5/16" |
| Gardner Bender B2000 Cyclone (Large combo shoe) | 7 5/8" | 4 1/4" |
| Greenlee 854DX (Large combo shoe) | 7 11/16" | 4 5/16" |
What the deduct is on a 1/2" EMT bender
The deduct, also called take-up, is how far the back of a finished 90 sits from the arrow on the bender. The bend itself takes up conduit, so you mark the pipe short of the stub height by that amount. For 1/2" EMT on most hand benders it is 5".
mark at = stub length − deduct- Stub length
- 12"
- Deduct
- 5"
- Mark at
- 7"
- Arrow on the bender
- lined up with the mark
Marks for common stubs
| Stub length | Mark at |
|---|---|
| 8" | 3" |
| 10" | 5" |
| 12" | 7" |
| 14" | 9" |
| 18" | 13" |
| 24" | 19" |
Half-inch EMT has the shortest deduct of the four hand-bender sizes, so it is the one that makes the shortest stubs. It is also the size most electricians bend by feel, which is a good reason to check the number rather than trust it.
Check the deduct on your own bender
The figure above is the most common one across hand benders, not a promise about yours. Greenlee, Klein, IDEAL, Milwaukee, Southwire and Gardner Bender heads agree on many sizes and differ on others.
- Look for a "stubs" note or number cast near the arrow. Many heads print the deduct there.
- Bend a test 90 with a stub of 12", marked at 7". Measure from the end of the conduit to the back of the bend.
- If the stub comes out long, your deduct is larger than you used; if it comes out short, it is smaller. Adjust by the difference and keep the number with the bender.
Where 1/2" EMT 90s get used
Half-inch EMT is the size most hand benders are bought for. Stub-ups out of a slab or a floor, drops from a ceiling, and the turn up into a panel or a box are all 90s, and each one starts from the same subtraction. Heads come in aluminum and in cast iron, from Greenlee, Klein, IDEAL, Milwaukee, Southwire and Gardner Bender.
Once you have the mark, the other leg is a separate job. To cut a length you also need the gain, which is the conduit a 90 saves by going round the corner instead of out to it. The deduct only gets the first leg right, so keep the two numbers apart.
Get the marks for your bender
BendMate works this out from your bender’s radius and deduct, flags a bend that won’t work, and shows you every mark.
Common questions
What is the take-up for 1/2 EMT?
5" on most hand benders. It is the distance from the arrow to the back of the 90, so subtract it from the stub length to find the mark.
How do I mark a 12 inch stub in 1/2 EMT?
Subtract the deduct: 12" minus 5" is 7". Mark the conduit there, measured from the end, and line the mark up with the arrow.
Is the deduct the same on every bender?
No. It is close on most hand benders, but Greenlee, Klein, IDEAL and others can differ, and the printed number on your bender is the one to trust.