BP_redbear

Is the Benfield manual a good investment?

Being in my 1st year of IBEW apprenticeship, one of the subjects in our class is conduit bending. I have some experience hand bending EMT before the apprenticeship, and even more experience now, even before we start studying it in class.

I have been reading and studying the different bends and different methods that are described and illustrated in our book, just wondering if Benfield's book would be a good addition to my learning tools.

One of the aspects that I like about apprenticeship so far is working with different journeymen, and learning their differing methods of arriving at their goals, unlike when I worked Industrial electrical & maintenance, where I had to self-teach (and learn from the instructions that come with a new Greenlee bender, haha!). I like to have different methods at my disposal, because I know that one method does not always work in all circumstances.

Frasbee

Damn dude, you're a machine.

How old are you again?

JRent

That is a very good book, i have found it useful many times. You should buy. I always keep it next to my uglys'(thres another book you need, in case you dont have).

KayJay

I think it’s a great little book. A quick read with lots of good info and small enough to carry in your tool bag for reference if needed.
I still have my copy from 1980 on the shelf to the right of my desk.

Adam12

Its basic at best and only covers the basics. I gave my copy away.
The Richard Cox book is the pros choice and covers everything.

What book does your apprenticeship teach from?

steve134

here's a good link for some conduit bending. a couple of things not covered in the benfield manual.


http://www.porcupinepress.com/_bendi...ndDrawings.htm

sgr1

You can't get enough info on bending pipe it's good to see different ways that guys do it. Here's one.
http://www.mikeholt.com/documents/fr...ndRaceways.pdf

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JohnJ0906

Same here.

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electricalperson

im not allowed to read books while working. my boss said customers call up and complain and think i dont know what im doing but i do have this book and its nice

KayJay

That damn Jack and his simplified bending techniques.
I guess that’s why one manufacturer of fixed radius hand benders chose not to follow Jack Benfield’s design.
But, it seems that just a couple of years ago though, after decades of denial and declining sales, Gardner Bender finally conceded that their outdated hand bender shoe design sucked and decided to offer a Benfield style bender.
So, now it seems every manufacture of fixed radius hand benders uses the Benfield design. Not bad for a simple man.