Greenlee 555 vs 855GX electric benders
By Andrew ·
Quick answer
Both are Greenlee electric benders for EMT, rigid and IMC, but their shoes differ. The 555’s single-shoe groups run from 1/2" to 2"; the 855GX’s standard shoe, as Greenlee’s manual lists it, covers 1" to 2". Where both take the same conduit, the 855GX deducts more, 11 7/8" against 11" for 1" EMT, so never mark one machine from the other’s chart.
Shoe by shoe
| Shoe | Greenlee 555 (Single shoe): radius | Greenlee 555 (Single shoe): deduct | Greenlee 855GX: radius | Greenlee 855GX: deduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" EMT | 4 5/16" | 7 1/2" | — | — |
| 3/4" EMT | 5 1/2" | 9" | — | — |
| 1" EMT | 7" | 11" | 7" | 11 7/8" |
| 1-1/4" EMT | 8 13/16" | 13 5/8" | 8 1/4" | 14 3/8" |
| 1-1/2" EMT | 8 3/8" | 14 7/8" | 8 3/8" | 15 3/8" |
| 2" EMT | 9 1/4" | 16 3/8" | 9 1/4" | 16 7/8" |
| 1/2" rigid (RMC) | 4 1/4" | 7 1/2" | — | — |
| 3/4" rigid (RMC) | 5 7/16" | 9" | — | — |
| 1" rigid (RMC) | 6 15/16" | 11" | 6 15/16" | 11 7/8" |
| 1-1/4" rigid (RMC) | 8 3/4" | 13 5/8" | 8 3/16" | 14 3/8" |
| 1-1/2" rigid (RMC) | 8 1/4" | 14 7/8" | 8 1/4" | 15 3/8" |
| 2" rigid (RMC) | 9" | 16 1/8" | 9" | 16 5/8" |
| 1/2" IMC | 4 1/4" | 7 1/2" | — | — |
| 3/4" IMC | 5 7/16" | 9" | — | — |
| 1" IMC | 6 15/16" | 11" | 6 15/16" | 11 7/8" |
| 1-1/4" IMC | 8 3/4" | 13 5/8" | 8 3/16" | 14 3/8" |
| 1-1/2" IMC | 8 1/4" | 14 7/8" | 8 1/4" | 15 3/8" |
| 2" IMC | 9" | 16 1/8" | 9" | 16 5/8" |
What each one takes
| Greenlee 555, single shoe | Greenlee 855GX, standard shoe | |
|---|---|---|
| Models in the manual | 555C Classic, 555CX and 555DX | 855GX IntelliBENDER |
| Conduit | EMT, rigid and IMC | EMT, rigid and IMC |
| Trade sizes | 1/2" to 2" | 1" to 2" |
| Most in one shot | 90° | 90° |
| Rigid and IMC | The same radius and deduct | The same radius and deduct |
| Other shoe groups in BendMate | Multi-shoe, combo and two PVC-coated rigid groups | None |
The 555 has the wider range of shoe groups. Besides the single shoes compared here, BendMate has its multi-shoe groups, whose rigid (28007) and PVC-coated rigid (37279) groups bend up to 180° in one shot; a combo-shoe group for the 555CX and 555DX; and a single-shoe group for 40 mil PVC-coated rigid. Each has its own deducts. For 1-1/2" and 2" IMC on the 555’s single shoe, Greenlee adds an IMC roller support.
Greenlee’s catalog also lists a 3/4" rigid radius for the 855GX, bent in the 1" groove, but its manual prints no deduct for it, so that size isn’t built in. Greenlee also makes a PVC-coated shoe group for the 855GX, which BendMate doesn’t include.
Same radius, different deducts
Where both take the same conduit, the radii mostly match: 7" for 1" EMT, 8 3/8" for 1-1/2" and 9 1/4" for 2" on both. The exception is 1-1/4": 8 13/16" on the 555’s single shoe against 8 1/4" on the 855GX.
The deducts never match. The 855GX’s are longer at every shared size, by 1/2" to 7/8": 16 7/8" against 16 3/8" for 2" EMT, for example. With the same radius, a longer deduct means the benchmark sits farther ahead of where the bend starts, so the mark goes closer to the end of the conduit.
- Stub length
- 24"
- 555 single-shoe deduct
- 11"
- 855GX deduct
- 11 7/8"
- Mark on the 555
- 13" from the end
- Mark on the 855GX
- 12 1/8" from the end
- Swap the charts
- The stub comes out 7/8" long or short
Which one fits your work
- 1/2" and 3/4" conduit: the 555’s shoes take it. The 855GX’s manual starts its deduct table at 1".
- Lots of 1" to 2" work: both cover it. Use the deduct chart for the shoe on your machine.
- More than 90° in one bend: only the 555’s 180° shoe groups do it. Greenlee rates the 855GX shoe to 90°.
- PVC-coated rigid: BendMate has the 555’s PVC-coated groups, but not the 855GX’s.
Often the choice is made by what the shop owns or rents. What matters on the day is using the numbers for that machine and that shoe group, because the 555’s groups differ from each other too.
Both in BendMate
Both are built in with Greenlee’s published radii and deducts, and both are part of Pro, $5.99 once, along with the other mechanical, electric and hydraulic benders, every other bend type and several bends on one stick. Pick the machine and shoe group, and every mark is worked out from that shoe. If a test bend runs long or short, correct the deduct in Bender Specs. The free version covers offsets, 3- and 4-point saddles, 90s and kicks with any hand bender, so you can try it first.
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.
Free for offsets, saddles, 90s and kicks with a hand bender. No signup.
Common questions
What is the difference between the Greenlee 555 and 855GX?
They take different shoes. In Greenlee’s manuals the 555’s single-shoe groups cover 1/2" to 2", and the 855GX’s standard shoe covers 1" to 2" with longer deducts, such as 16 7/8" against 16 3/8" for 2" EMT.
Can I use 555 deducts on an 855GX?
No. Even where the radius is the same, the 855GX deducts 1/2" to 7/8" more, so a stub marked from the 555’s chart comes out long.
Does the 555 deduct depend on the shoe group?
Yes. For 2" EMT the single shoe deducts 16 3/8" and the multi-shoe group 15 3/8". Use the chart for the group on your machine.
What sizes does the Greenlee 855GX bend?
Greenlee’s 855GX manual gives deducts for 1" to 2" EMT, rigid and IMC on the standard shoe. Its catalog also lists a 3/4" rigid radius in the 1" groove, but with no deduct.
BendMate is independent and not affiliated with QuickBend, any bender manufacturer or their makers. Product names are used only to identify what people search for.