Conduit Bender Automatically Finds 0 Degrees on EMT, RMC Installs
Milwaukee Tool recently introduced the M18 FUEL Branch Conduit Bender, which the company lauds is “the most productive way to bend multi-raceway branch installations.” The bender is optimized for 0.75- to 1-inch EMT and 0.5- to 0.75-inch RMC conduit. It features the company’s trademarked AUTO-ZERO technology, through which a sensor detects the starting point—zero degrees—for each bend.
The company emphasizes this new conduit bender was developed to solve real jobsite challenges. “Through working closely with professionals in the field, the pain points and inconsistencies in the current bending processes became clear,” explains Jack Fisher, product marketing manager. “Reworking bends to achieve consistency and battling muscle fatigue were constant frustrations. With the new M18 FUEL Branch Conduit Bender, we’ve reimagined the process for multi-raceway installations, delivering a faster, more-consistent, and more-ergonomic solution.”
Milwaukee adds the AUTO-ZERO technology’s ability to always sense 0 degrees delivers the most consistent bends possible on-site. “Time spent zeroing conduit benders onsite adds unnecessary time and inconsistency to the bending process … Embedded within the tool, AUTO-ZERO technology senses squeeze, automatically zeroing itself regardless of variances in the roller, shoe, and conduit. With this capability, users are delivered unmatched bend-to-bend consistency over the life of the tool, reducing the need for rework and increasing productivity.” By eliminating the physical strain of hand-bending, the tool also drives down peak lower-back muscle effort by a factor of 10, the company points out.
M18 FUEL’s two-piece tool design enables easy carrying and fast setup, according to Milwaukee, which enables it to be used virtually anywhere. Even in remote areas, users can bend up to 110 bends on 0.75-inch EMT when using Milwaukee’s M18 XC5.0 battery pack, the company says.
Along with the M18 FUEL, Milwaukee introduced a line of conduit bending shoes to bend 0.5-, 0.75-, and 1-inch EMT or 0.5- and 0.75-inch RMC. The aluminum bending shoes fit only the M18 FUEL and can be installed without tools.