I've done that before when tuning my high e string, it broke and snapped back at me. But since I have the reflexes of a mongoose (sp?), I was able to quickly dodge out of the way.

On a serious note, bending is pretty easy to judge (not an exact science). To bend up a half step, bend the string half way to the next string. To go up a whole step, bend the string up til it touches the next string. I dunno after that but that's how I judge it when playing live. When I first read Az's post I though he meant 3 whole steps. I was thinking yeah right, unless you tune strings down a string (E-B). I know what you meant in a few thoughts later. 'lol'