Re: Your Favorite Install Tool?

[Sylvain Robitaille <syl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

JoeRaisin wrote:

>> Thanks for the link.  These look somewhat like thinner versions of the
>> rods I use with my chimney brush.  Is that a fair description?
>
> Probably, but far more flexible

Ok, then that's what I was picturing.

> The creepzit rods are handy in most cases but for more flexibility
> the 10', 15' or 30' fiberglass fish tape works best.

I'll try to see what I can find locally, and if I have to I'll mail
order.

> Metal fish tapes aren't my favorite but I have seen one of the techs
> I work with do wonders with them even in insulated walls.  He puts
> a bend in the end and can "drive" it right up the wall around switch
> boxes and end up with it right where he wants it...

This is the part I don't get ...  If that were me, that fish tape would
have headed straight for the first small gap between the switch box and
the wall stud, and wedged itself in there real good, without my even
applying any kind of force, which it would of course respond to by
wedging itself in even further.  That's just how fish tapes are with me.
:-(

I even managed very recently to put in what must have been a nearly
straight bend in a fish tape, simply by feeding it down a hole in the
top plate (correct term?) from the attic, and trying to get it to come
out a switch box.  I eventually managed, but only after cutting off the
bend, putting in a new hook, and trying again.  And this is in an inside
wall (no insulation)!

>> How does the "egg beater" head work, ...
>
> It helps it bounce over obstacles and if your rods start to veer off
> course you can spin them and it will "walk" you back onto your line.

Got it, ok.  Like the idea.  Am expecting to buy backup "egg beaters" to
replace those that will certainly unscrew themselves while wedged
between a switch box and wall stud ...  :-)

> Typically in these applications you will connect your wire to the back
> of your last rod after you have the front end where you want it.

... and your wife/girlfriend/significant-other is up in the attic
pulling the rod up from there then?

>>   - working with fish tapes
>
> Helps to have an assortment of various kinds as they each have strengths
> and weaknesses.

I've only ever worked with the one kind, and it has never been a
pleasant experience.  Thanks for explaining the others.

--
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Sylvain Robitaille                              syl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Systems and Network analyst                       Concordia University
Instructional & Information Technology        Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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