3-Point Saddle Bend
60° Center Saddle Bend
Everything for a 60 degree 3-point saddle: the center-to-outer multiplier, the shrink, a worked example, and the calculator, all from the same math your bender uses.
The 60° Saddle Numbers
| Center bend / outer bends | 60° / 30° |
| Center-to-outer multiplier (applied / exact 1/sin) | 2.0 / 2.00 |
| Shrink per inch of depth | 1/4″ (0.2500″) |
| 3″ saddle: center to each outer mark | 6″ (not bendable in 1-1/4" EMT) |
| 3″ saddle: shrink to shift the center | 0.75″ |
Distance from center to each outer mark = saddle depth × 2.0, which is what the calculator applies (the value printed in Klein's Zip Guide for Saddles (2" per inch of depth), and exact 1/sin(30°) is the same 2.00). Shrink = depth × 1/4″. Center bend 60 degrees, both outer bends 30 degrees.
Bender saddle tables print 2.0 per inch of depth for a 60° center, which this calculator uses, and exact 1/sin(30°) is the same 2.00, so the marks at that spacing lay out the peak exactly at the depth you asked for, before the bend radius rounds the top. The calculator and its 3D show the centerline peak those marks reach once the center arc at the NEC Chapter 9, Table 2 radius is counted, which sits below the depth you enter on every saddle: 2.38″ for the 3″ example in 1/2″ EMT, so enter about 3.62″ there for a 3″ peak. The calculator prints the depth to enter for the peak you need.
Calculate Your 60° Saddle
The calculator opens in 3-point saddle mode on the worked example, 3″ entered at a 60° center (the peak that depth reaches is given above). Enter your own saddle depth for the exact mark spacing and shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the multiplier for a 60 degree saddle?
The center-to-outer multiplier for a 60 degree 3-point saddle is 2.0, which is what this calculator applies (the value printed in Klein's Zip Guide for Saddles (2" per inch of depth), and exact 1/sin(30°) is the same 2.00). The center bend is the full 60 degrees and the two outer bends are half that, 30 degrees. Multiply the saddle depth by the multiplier to get the distance from the center mark to each outer mark. For a 3 inch saddle that is 3 x 2.0 = 6 inches. In 1-1/4 inch EMT a 3 inch saddle at a 60 degree center cannot be bent (the 30 degree outer arc and the 60 degree center arc on its 7.25 inch bend radius would overlap); the smallest saddle at a 60 degree center in that size is 3-1/8 inches.
How much does a 60 degree saddle shrink?
A 60 degree saddle shrinks 1/4 inch for every inch of saddle depth. A 3 inch saddle shrinks about 0.75 inches, so shift the center mark toward the free end by that amount before bending so the saddle lands centered over the obstruction.
How do you bend a 60 degree 3-point saddle?
Find the center of the obstruction and mark it on the conduit, then shift that mark 0.75 inches (the shrink for a 3 inch saddle) toward the free end. Bend the center mark to the full 60 degrees. Measure 6 inches (for a 3 inch saddle) to each side of the center and mark the outer bends. Rotate the conduit 180 degrees and bend each outer mark to 30 degrees. The three bends lift the conduit up and back down over the obstruction. In 1-1/4 inch EMT a 3 inch saddle at a 60 degree center cannot be bent (the 30 degree outer arc and the 60 degree center arc on its 7.25 inch bend radius would overlap); the smallest saddle at a 60 degree center in that size is 3-1/8 inches.
When should I use a 60 degree saddle?
A 60 degree saddle is a tight, steep saddle. The outer bends are 30 degrees, so the marks sit close together (multiplier 2.0) and it clears the obstruction in a short length, but it shrinks more (1/4 inch per inch) and pulls harder. Use it for a tall obstruction in a short run.
Other Saddle Angles
45° Center Saddle
Multiplier 2.5, shrink 3/16″ per inch, 22.5° outer bends.
30° Center Saddle
Multiplier 3.8637, shrink 0.1317″ per inch, 15° outer bends.
22.5° Center Saddle
Multiplier 5.1258, shrink 0.0985″ per inch, 11.25° outer bends.
Saddle Calculator + All Angles
3-point and 4-point saddle marks, multipliers, and shrink with the calculator.