GB Sidewinder User manual

Instruction
Sheet
Sidewinder®
Mechanical Bender
Bend Only Conduit Size and Type as Marked on
Each Shoe:
Attempts to bend conduit size and type other than that
marked on a shoe could result in breakage. (Do not
attempt to bend 2" rigid or IMC steel conduit on this
bender shoe).
When Bending 2" EMT Conduit:
Always use the steel roller and strap provided. Failure
to do so could result in breakage.
Important: The bender carriage must be on a solid,
level surface during operation.
IMPORTANT: RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS: Visually inspect all components for shipping damage. If any shipping damage
is found, notify carrier at once.Shipping damage is NOT covered by warranty. The carrier is responsible for all repair or
replacement costs resulting from damage in shipment.
IMPORTANT — USER SAFETY AND PROTECTION: In setting up systems to fit your operations, care must be taken to
select the proper components and design to insure appropriate integration with your operations and existing equipment and
that all safety measures have been taken to avoid the risk of personal injury and property damage from your application
or system. GARDNER BENDER CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE OR INJURY CAUSED BY UNSAFE USE,
MAINTENANCE OR APPLICATION OF ITS PRODUCTS. Please contact Gardner Bender for guidance when you are in
doubt as to the proper safety precautions to be taken in designing and setting up your particular application.
Preliminary Procedure: Read all instructions carefully before attempting to assemble or operate your
mechanical conduit bender.
Strap
Roller Assembly Position:
Always place roller assembly and ratchet handle in
proper frame hole according to the size and type of
conduit being bent (as shown on Bender Frame).
Mounting of Bender Frame:
If bender frame is to be mounted on a bench or support
other than the SAF-T-Bender Carriage, drill four (4)
holes in the support, in-line with the mounting slots of
the frame. Attach the frame to the support with four (4)
5⁄16" cap screws of proper length and secure with four (4)
nuts. A plain washer should be used between the head
of each cap screw and the bender frame.
Keep hands clear of bending shoe and
rollers during operation.
Ratchet
Handle

2
B. Shoe Installation
1. Select the shoe which is marked for the size and type
conduit to be bent. The diameter and material it is
designed for is marked on the flat end of each shoe.
2. To mount the shoe, pull the ratchet release lever back
against the handle, figure 3.
3. Raise the ratchet handle approximately 60°, then
lower it back to the rest position.The ratchet pawls will
move upward to permit shoe installation.
4. Remove the hairpin cotter and washer from the pivot
shaft, figure 4. Position the shoe on the shaft with the
ratchet teeth facing the frame.
Bender Set-Up
A. Ratchet Handle
1. The bender frame has two mounting holes for the
ratchet handle and a locating pin in the area between
the two holes, figure 1.
2. The upper hole is used when bending 1⁄2", 3⁄4" and 1"
conduit. The lower hole is used when bending 11⁄4", 11⁄2"
and 2" conduit. Check the markings on the frame.
3. Two of the three holes in the back of the ratchet handle
are for the locating pin on the frame. When bending 1⁄2",
3⁄4" or 1" conduit, the lower left hole is used. When
bending 11⁄4", 1" or 2" conduit, the top center hole is
used, figure 2. The third hole is not used.
4. Insert the ratchet handle shaft into the frame hole
which is marked for the size conduit to be bent. Guide
the locating pin into the correct hole and press the
ratchet against the frame. Secure the ratchet with the
nut, tighten finger tight.
NOTE: The mounting nut must be completely threaded
on the shaft and the ratchet must be against the frame.
Do not use a wrench to tighten the nut. Fig. 4
Fig. 1
Locating Pin
Ratchet Handle
Mounting Holes
Fig. 3
Release
Lever
Ratchet
Pawls
Fig. 2
For 1⁄2",
3⁄4" &1"
For 11⁄4",
11⁄2" & 2" Frame

3
5. Slide the shoe on the shaft and secure it with the
large washer and hairpin cotter, figure 5.
C. 2" EMT Shoe Only (BT2000)
1. The shoe is placed on the pivot shaft in the same way
as other shoes. The washer is not used to secure the
shoe. Instead a shaft and strap assembly is used. See
figure 6.
2. Assemble the shaft by placing the strap on the small
shaft, then sliding the steel roller over the small shaft.
3. Insert the shaft and strap assembly into the frame
opening marked 2T. Place the strap over the pivot shaft
and insert the hairpin cotter in the pivot shaft, figure 6.
4. Soft roller assembly is not used when bending 2" EMT.
D. Bending Conduit
1. Press the shoe lock pin, figure 7, rotate the shoe until
the lock pin seats in the shoe notch and holds the
shoe in place.
NOTE: Before starting a bend, be sure lock pin has
released from shoe.
2. Place the conduit under the shoe and in the groove.
The other end of the conduit must rest on the black
roller assembly. Check the charts on the last page for
exact conduit positions for various type bends.
3. When the conduit is properly positioned, install the
shoe jaw on the shoe until it rests against the stops,
figure 8.
NOTE: 2" EMT Conduit Only: When the conduit is
positioned and the jaw in place, install the follow bar.
The tapered end (marked Start) slides under the
conduit and against the jaw. The follow bar must rest
on the roller assembly, figure 9.
Fig. 5
Hair Pin Cotter
Washer
Pivot
Shaft
Bender Shoe
Fig. 6
2" EMT
Only Pivot
Shaft
Strap
Steel
Roller
Shaft
Fig. 7
Shoe
Notch
Lock Pin
Fig. 8
Shoe Jaw

4
4. To use the bender, a 5-foot length of 1-inch standard
pipe, schedule 40 or 80, is needed for bending 1/2"
through 2" conduit. The 1' pipe is placed into the
ratchet handle and used as an extension handle to
make bending easier.
NOTE: When bending 1-1/2" thru 2" conduit, a heavy
duty piece of 1" pipe must be used, due to greater
bending forces required. A 3/4" pipe can be inserted
in the 1" standard pipe for added strength.
5. Insert the 1" pipe into the ratchet handle, figure 10.
Push the release lever forward to set the ratchet
pawls. Raise the ratchet handle until the pawls
engage the shoe teeth, figure 11.
6. Using the 1" pipe, pull the ratchet down to begin
bending, check the angle indicator (on the frame) and
the pointer on the shoe to determine what degree of
bend has been accomplished, figure 12. Repeat
raising and lowering the ratchet as often as needed to
make the desired bend.
7. A small overbend is usually desirable to compensate
for conduit spring-back. Various types and grades of
conduit will spring-back in different amounts.
Fig. 9
Jaw Flush Against Shoe Stop
Conduit Resting In
Follower Bar Groove
Fig. 10
Ratchet
Handle
5' of 1"
Pipe
Fig. 11
Ratchet
Pawls
Shoe Teeth
Fig. 12
Pointer
Angle
Indicator

5
E. Removing Conduit
1. After a bend is complete, pull the release lever back.
2. Move the ratchet handle up until the pawls “click”
together and release the shoe teeth, figure 13.
3. Place foot on conduit. Keep your knee away from the
handle.
4. Pull down firmly on the ratchet handle. A sharp click
will be heard when the pawls release.
5. Remove the shoe jaw. Remove the conduit from the
bending shoe.
6. If the conduit will not slip out of the bending shoe,
place the pipe handle in the bending shoe, figure 14.
7. Hold the conduit against the soft roller, at the same
time push the pipe upward, moving the shoe counter-
clockwise. The conduit will be forced out of the shoe.
Note: Removing 2" conduit requires removing the
follow bar prior to removing the conduit.
Maintenance (Performed Monthly)
1. Use heavy duty grease to coat the soft roller inner
bearings and roller shaft.
2. The roller mounting holes and ratchet mounting
holes in the frame should be coated with a film of
lightweight oil.
3. Lightly coat the shoe pivot shaft (on the frame)
with grease.
4. Oil the wheel axles and the moving points of the
ratchet handle.
5. Do not lubricate threaded shafts or hardware pieces
(cotter pins, nuts, etc.).
Fig. 14
1" Pipe
Handle
Bender
Shoe
Fig. 13
Release
Lever
Ratchet
Handle

6
Charts & Instructions
Turn-Up
or
Rise (H)
D
Angle
A
S
D
2nd Mark
1st Mark
B
B
Offset
Or
Rise (H)
Angle
C
1st Mark
2nd Mark
BD
Diagonal Distance (D) Chart
(Dimensions in Inches)
Bend Angle
Rise
30o 45o 90o
(H)
2 4 213⁄16 2
4 8 511⁄16 4
6 12 81⁄2 6
8 16 115⁄16 8
10 20 141⁄8 8
12 24 17 12
14 28 1913⁄16 14
16 32 225⁄8 16
18 36 257⁄16 18
20 40 285⁄16 20
22 44 311⁄8 22
24 48 3315⁄16 24
Diagonal Distance Chart
Offset Bend Chart For
Offset Measurement (B) All Sizes
Desired (Dimensions In Inches)
(H)
15o 30o 45o
2 73⁄4 4 21⁄2
4 157⁄16 8 53⁄8
6 233⁄16 12 83⁄16
8 307⁄8 16 11
10 385⁄8 20 1313⁄16
12 463⁄8 24 1611⁄16
14 541⁄8 28 191⁄2
16 6113⁄16 32 225⁄16
18 699⁄16 36 251⁄8
20 771⁄4 40 28
22 85 44 3113⁄16
24 923⁄4 48 335⁄8
Offset Chart
Conduit Set-Back Dimension (S) Chart (Dimensions In Inches)
Nominal Stub-Ups Kick Bends
Type Size 90o 45o 30o
1⁄2 51⁄4 11⁄2 1
3⁄4 81⁄8 25⁄16 11⁄2
1 91⁄2 215⁄16 17⁄8
11⁄4 113⁄4 311⁄16 23⁄8
11⁄2 141⁄4 43⁄8 27⁄8
2 (Alum.) 141⁄2 43⁄8 23⁄4
1⁄2 55⁄8 11⁄2 1
3⁄4 71⁄2 25⁄16 11⁄2
1 93⁄4 215⁄16 17⁄8
11⁄4 131⁄4 43⁄8 27⁄8
11⁄2 153⁄4 51⁄8 31⁄4
2 123⁄4 49⁄16 3
Conduit Set-Back Dimension Chart
Rigid
EMT
90o Stub-Up And Kick Bend Instructions
1. Determine (H) dimension by measuring rise or height
needed. From “Diagonal Distance Chart”, determine
straight length of pipe (D) needed to reach desired
turn-up height (H) at desired bend angle.
2. Lay off distance (D) from end of conduit and make
1st mark.
3. From “Set-Back Chart”, select proper set-back
dimension (S) corresponding to conduit size and bend
angle desired.
4. Measure distance (S) back from 1st mark, and make
2nd mark (see Figure B).
5. Align forward edge of bending shoe with mark on conduit,
and bend to desired angle, allowing for spring back.
Offset Bend Instructions
1. Make first mark at location on determined by edge of
obstacle or by following kick bend instructions.
2. From the “Offset Bend Chart” for the size conduit to be
bent, obtain measurement (B) for offset height (H) and
bend angle desired.
3. Make second mark at distance (B) beyond mark as
illustrated by Figure D.
4. Place conduit in bender aligning first mark with
forward edge of bending shoe and make bend to
desired angle, allowing for spring-back.
5. Rotate conduit 180° and align second mark with
forward edge of bending shoe and make bend to
same angle as in step 4.

7
Developed Length Of Bend When conduit is bent, the length along the bend at the neutral axis (i.e.,
approximately the centerline of the pipe) is commonly called “developed
length” of the bend.
Gain Of Bend The difference between the “squared off” distance (AB+BC) around a corner
and the “developed length” (AC) along a bend is commonly called “gain” of
the bend. (Measurements should be made at the pipe centerline.)
A
BC
Pipe Bend
Size Type Centerline Developed Length of Bends (inches)❉ Gain of Bends (inches)❉
Radii 15o 30o 45o 90o 15o 30o 45o 90o
1⁄2 35⁄16 7⁄8 13⁄4 29⁄16 53⁄16 0 1⁄16 1⁄8 13⁄8
3⁄4 51⁄16 15⁄16 211⁄16 4 8 0 1⁄16 3⁄16 23⁄16
1 67⁄16 111⁄16 33⁄8 51⁄16 103⁄16 0 1⁄16 1⁄4 23⁄4
11⁄4 915⁄16 25⁄8 53⁄16 713⁄16 159⁄16 0 1⁄8 7⁄16 41⁄4
11⁄2 113⁄8 3 515⁄16 815⁄16 177⁄8 0 1⁄8 1⁄2 47⁄8
2 97⁄16 21⁄2 415⁄16 73⁄8 1413⁄16 0 1⁄8 3⁄8 41⁄16
1⁄2 31⁄4 7⁄8 111⁄16 29⁄16 51⁄16 0 1⁄16 1⁄8 13⁄8
3⁄4 5 15⁄16 25⁄8 315⁄16 77⁄8 0 1⁄16 3⁄16 23⁄16
1 63⁄8 111⁄16 33⁄8 5 101⁄16 0 1⁄16 1⁄4 23⁄4
11⁄4 81⁄16 21⁄8 41⁄4 63⁄8 1211⁄16 0 1⁄8 5⁄16 37⁄16
11⁄2 99⁄16 21⁄2 5 71⁄2 15 0 1⁄8 7⁄16 41⁄8
2(Alum.) 95⁄16 27⁄16 47⁄8 75⁄16 145⁄8 0 1⁄8 3⁄8 4
Rigid
❉ At Pipe Centerline
EMT

PARTS AND SERVICE: For quality workmanship and
genuine Gardner Bender parts, select an Authorized GB
Service Center for your repair needs. Only repairs
performed by an Authorized Service Center displaying the
official GB Authorized sign are backed with full factory
warranty. Contact Gardner Bender [phone] for the
name of the nearest GB Authorized Service Center.
WARRANTY: Gardner Bender warrants its product against
defects in workmanship and materials for 1 year from date
of delivery to user. Chain is not warranted. Warranty does
not cover ordinary wear and tear, abuse, misuse,
overloading, altered products or use of improper fluid.
WARRANTY RETURN PROCEDURE: When question of
warranty claim arises, send the unit to the nearest GB
Authorized Service Center for inspection, transportation
prepaid. Furnish evidence of purchase date. If the claim
comes under the terms of our warranty the Authorized
Service Center will REPAIR OR REPLACE PARTS
AFFECTED and return the unit prepaid.
REPAIR AND SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS: For repair service and parts contact your nearest Gardner Bender Service Center. The
Gardner Bender Service Center will provide complete and prompt service on all Gardner Bender products.
Gardner
Bender 6101 N. Baker Road, Milwaukee, WI 53209 • Phone: [phone] • FAX [phone] RPS-0045 0510