Conduit Bender Take-Up Explained
By Andrew ·
Quick answer
Take-up, also called deduct, is how much of a stub a bender uses up in a 90: the distance from the bender’s arrow to the back of the finished bend. Subtract it from the stub length to find where to mark the conduit. A 12" stub on a bender with a 5" take-up is marked at 7". Gain and shrink are different numbers.
What take-up means
When you bend a 90, the stub you measure from the end runs to the back of the finished bend, the outside of the corner. But the bender’s arrow does not sit at the back; it sits some distance short of it. That distance is the take-up. Mark the conduit that far short of the stub length, put the mark on the arrow, and the back of the bend lands where you measured.
mark = stub length − take-upTake-up and deduct are two names for the same number. Heads print it in different ways, such as “DEDUCT n” or “STUBS n TO”.
Where take-up comes from
It is built from the shoe. The conduit has to go round the shoe’s radius, and the arrow sits a little before the bend starts.
take-up = centerline radius + OD ÷ 2 + straight from the arrow to the start of the bendTake-up, gain, shrink and multiplier
| Term | What it measures | What you use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Take-up (deduct) | Distance from the bender’s arrow to the back of a 90 | Where to mark a stub |
| Gain | Conduit saved by going round a bend instead of to a sharp corner, counted to the back of the 90 | Cut length: stub + other leg − gain |
| Shrink | How much shorter a run gets after an offset or a saddle | Allowing for the run’s length |
| Multiplier | Distance between bends for each inch of offset height | Marks for an offset or a saddle |
Typical take-up by EMT size
| EMT size | Typical take-up |
|---|---|
| 1/2" | 5" |
| 3/4" | 6" |
| 1" | 8" |
| 1-1/4" | 11" |
These are typical figures. Your head may differ slightly, and rigid and IMC shoes have their own.
- Stub length
- 18"
- 3/4" take-up
- 6"
- 1" take-up
- 8"
- 3/4" EMT: mark at
- 12"
- 1" EMT: mark at
- 10"
The same stub is marked closer to the end on the larger conduit, because the bigger shoe uses up more of it.
When take-up is different
- Rigid and IMC. At the same trade size the conduit is fatter and the shoe is bigger, so the take-up is different from EMT’s.
- Power benders. The take-up is measured to the benchmark the manual names, often the front edge of the hook or saddle, and the numbers are much bigger.
- Push-type hydraulic benders. The mark goes on the middle of the shoe, so the take-up is measured to the middle of the bend and is far smaller.
- Between brands. Hand heads of the same EMT size often share a take-up, but not always. Check the one you are using.
Check yours on a scrap
- Mark a scrap at stub − take-up, and bend a 90.
- Measure the stub from the end to the back of the bend.
- If the stub is short, lower your take-up by the difference. If it is long, raise it.
BendMate lets you correct the take-up in its bender specs, or add your own bender from the numbers printed on it.
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 take-up on a conduit bender?
It is the distance the bender uses up in a 90, from its arrow to the back of the finished bend. Subtract it from the stub length to find the mark.
Is take-up the same as deduct?
Yes. They are two names for the same number. Some heads print DEDUCT n, others STUBS n TO.
Why is take-up bigger on larger conduit?
It is built from the shoe’s radius and half the conduit’s diameter, and both grow with size.
Do I subtract the take-up for an offset?
No. An offset uses the multiplier. Take-up is for stubs, and for back-to-back 90s if you mark for the arrow.