3-point saddle bend chart
By Andrew ·
Quick answer
For a 3-point saddle with a 45° center and 22.5° outer bends, put the center mark on the centerline of the obstruction and the outer marks about 2 1/2 times the obstruction height either side of it. The exact distance is height × 2.613: a 3" obstruction puts the outer marks 7 13/16" from the center.
3-point saddle marks
| Obstruction height | 22.5° / 45° / 22.5° | Shrink | 30° / 60° / 30° | Shrink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 2 5/8" | 3/8" | 2" | 9/16" |
| 2" | 5 1/4" | 13/16" | 4" | 1 1/16" |
| 3" | 7 13/16" | 1 3/16" | 6" | 1 5/8" |
| 4" | 10 7/16" | 1 9/16" | 8" | 2 1/8" |
| 5" | 13 1/16" | 2" | 10" | 2 11/16" |
| 6" | 15 11/16" | 2 3/8" | 12" | 3 3/16" |
| 8" | 20 7/8" | 3 3/16" | 16" | 4 5/16" |
| 10" | 26 1/8" | 4" | 20" | 5 3/8" |
| 12" | 31 3/8" | 4 3/4" | 24" | 6 7/16" |
How to read the chart
The chart lists, for each height of obstruction, how far from the center mark to put the two outer marks. The center mark goes on the centerline of the obstruction. The outer marks go one distance each side of it, the same distance both ways.
- Measure the height of the obstruction, from the surface the conduit runs on to the top of the obstruction.
- Find the height in the chart and read the distance from the center mark to each outer mark.
- Mark the center on the obstruction’s centerline, then mark the outer marks that distance each side.
- Bend the center to 45° lined up with the center notch, then the two outer bends to 22.5° with the conduit rolled half a turn.
Where the distances come from
Each half of the saddle is an offset the height of the obstruction. With 22.5° outer bends, the distance from the center mark to an outer mark is the height times 2.613. The trade rounds this to 2 1/2 times the height, which is a hair short, so the chart shows both.
| Obstruction height | Outer marks (2 1/2 × height) | Outer marks (exact) | Between outer marks | Total shrink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 2 1/2" | 2 5/8" | 5 1/4" | 3/8" |
| 2" | 5" | 5 1/4" | 10 7/16" | 13/16" |
| 3" | 7 1/2" | 7 13/16" | 15 11/16" | 1 3/16" |
| 4" | 10" | 10 7/16" | 20 7/8" | 1 9/16" |
| 5" | 12 1/2" | 13 1/16" | 26 1/8" | 2" |
| 6" | 15" | 15 11/16" | 31 3/8" | 2 3/8" |
Other saddle angles
A 45° center is the usual choice but it is not the only one. The outer bends are always half the center, and the distance from the center mark to each outer mark is the obstruction height times the multiplier of the outer angle.
| Center bend | Outer bends | Multiplier | Center mark to outer mark, 3" obstruction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° | 15° | 3.864 | 11 9/16" |
| 45° | 22.5° | 2.613 | 7 13/16" |
| 60° | 30° | 2.000 | 6" |
Choose a shallower saddle for a long, gentle jump over a small pipe, and a steeper one for a tight space. A 45° center is the compromise most crews settle on. For a wider obstruction such as a beam, use a 4-point saddle instead.
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
How far apart are the marks on a 3-point saddle?
For a 45° center, put the outer marks about 2 1/2 times the obstruction height either side of the center mark. Exactly, it is height × 2.613: 10 7/16" for a 4" obstruction.
Where does the center mark go on a saddle?
On the centerline of the obstruction, the middle of the pipe or box the conduit has to clear.
What angles do I use for a 3-point saddle?
A 45° center and two 22.5° outer bends are the usual choice. The center bend is always twice the outer bends.