steel conduit help

[h901]

hi everyone

i've recently started using steel conduit and so far most of the jobs where i've used it have been fairly simple (straight runs). i've got a job that requires quite a few 90 bends to be made (i've bought a hilmor bender and have been practising using it) i've just got a few questions which i'm hoping the members with more experience than me can help with. any other tips and tricks will be very helpful too

1) should the saddles be installed first?

2) how would one connect conduit with a 90 bend to a straight piece, if for example the run is quite long - something like - I________I
is this done before or after fitting it to the wall, as i tried doing it once when it was already fitted to the wall and couldn't get the couplers to hold (before fitting to the saddles), as i was screwing one side on, the other side of the coupler was screwing off the other conduit

3) what are conduit nipples used for exactly?

4) when trying to make a 90 bend at around 1.5m in the conduit, i wasn't able to do it with the hilmor shorty as the conduit hit the floor before the bend reached the correct angle, so instead i cut off the top of the conduit and then re-attached it later with couplers (was this correct)

apologies for the long questions and thanks in advance

 

[Pete999]

Not one of my favourite things, my old gaffer taught me bends using a wood block with holes at either end. He was a master, could turn out perfect swan necks every time.

For some reason I got a name as being the conduit King, the Boss would say "conduit, give it to Pete" don't know what it was, I was just good at it, never had any special tuition, some folk are good at something and can't explain it that was me.

 

[7029 dave]

Shame these skills are not being taught any more.I read a post long time ago, chap was saying that conduit work was labourers work. Don't think so.!!

 

[Pete999]

Shame these skills are not being taught any more.I read a post long time ago, chap was saying that conduit work was labourers work. Don't think so.!!

What planet was that idiot from?

 

[Rocboni]

It is still being taught, well it is on the SVQ3. Was part of the of the Scottish apprentice of the year competition aswell (which I came 2nd)

 

[Leesparkykent]

Still taught in my local college.

 

[Flanders]

Just to add do not put any more 2 bends or 1 bend and a double set in a run without a draw through point

 

[Midwest]

Think that was a have.

Also useful accessories for conduit installations, are sky hooks for mounting fluorescents and long weights for cable pulling. All available from your local wholesalers.

 

[Pete999]

Also useful accessories for conduit installations, are sky hooks for mounting fluorescents and long weights for cable pulling. All available from your local wholesalers.

What about running couplers?

 

[Midwest]

What about running couplers?

Don't be so ridiculous Pete!

 

[Pete999]

Don't be so ridiculous Pete!

OK Sorry

 

[Flanders]

What about running couplers?

No you just need elbow grease for them !!!

 

[Midwest]

I'm off to get some tartan paint and a left-handed screwdriver.

 

[Pete999]

I'm off to get some tartan paint and a left-handed screwdriver.

I knew it I just Knew it bound to get stupid once everyone got back home

 

[Risteard]

Forgive me for asking but why was steel conduit not on the curriculum when the OP was training? I didn't think it had been removed. Or was a non-electrical Apprenticeship undertaken?

 

[Midwest]

Think OP installs cctv, and is using steel conduit now.