Magnetic fish tape

[Rawls007]

Anybody ever use one of these? http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/21/goodbye-fish-tape-hello-magnafish/

[iwire]

I may be wrong but it seems to me if the wall was clear enough to have this work that you could snake it pretty easily with a steel tape.

Imagine wood lathe, metal lath, insulation, etc. in the wall and I think that tool gets stuck.

[ultramegabob]

looks like a good way to get grey rub marks all over the wall, i would cover it with fabric or somthing if I was using it.

[ultramegabob]

I have used jack chain for dropping down in walls, gravity pulls it down, and you can make a hook out of a coat hanger to pull it over to your box opening.

[cadpoint]

Protection of painted and various finishs was the first thing that came to mind. I guess it could be used through plastic, wax paper, or with a cloth wrapper.

[Rawls007]

I may be wrong but it seems to me if the wall was clear enough to have this work that you could snake it pretty easily with a steel tape.

Imagine wood lathe, metal lath, insulation, etc. in the wall and I think that tool gets stuck.


It claims to work in walls with insulation.

[ultramegabob]

It claims to work in walls with insulation.

Maybe if you got it between the vapor barrier and the drywall, I doubt it would work with blown in insulation.

[cadpoint]

Well I do usually have a fish tape I need a fiberglass one though.

I' ve been known to use a lead sinker.

I thought the whole idea of go fishing is to have a sting on the line...

[brian john]

I used a fish tape or washer on a string, took my 25' tape folded it at the 36" mark and filled the void with it, dropped the string/fish tape then pull out the tape out.

[ultramegabob]

I used a fish tape or washer on a string, took my 25' tape folded it at the 36" mark and filled the void with it, dropped the string/fish tape then pull out the tape out.

thats a pretty cleaver use of a measuring tape, I will have to remember that:wink:

[jayrad1122]

we have one called wire python. Although I have never used it. I noticed it has a VERY strong magnet

[Dennis Alwon]

$90 for the magnet seems pretty stiff.

I have played with these magnets and I can tell you that the small ones are so strong that you can barely pull them apart if you don't twist them.

They are from Klutz (http://www.klutz.com/catalog/product/3203). $5.95

http://www.klutz.com/catalog/prodimages/3203-1m-low.jpg

[EBFD6]

other than hitting fire blocking or some other type of obstruction (which this tool would not be of any help with) I can honestly say that I never have that much trouble snaking a wall to justify spending money on something like this. As others have stated there are so many tricks of the trade to accomplish this routine task that my money would be better spent on more useful tool purchases.

JMO:smile:

[bjp_ne_elec]

Brian - I'm a little slow - but I don't see how you're using the 36" of your 25' tape. Can you clarify for me?

Thanks

[ultramegabob]

Brian - I'm a little slow - but I don't see how you're using the 36" of your 25' tape. Can you clarify for me?

Thanks
how I picture it working is you fold it in half, then stick the loop in the hole in the wall and push forward, when it presses against the other side of the wall it will spread out into a loop conforming to the insides of the drywall and studs, then when a string or fishtape is dropped down you just pull the measureing tape out and it snatches it in the loop. (some of us guys cant get our hands in cut-in box holes)

[stickboy1375]

(some of us guys cant get our hands in cut-in box holes)


:grin: , i'm so skinny I can insert my hand up to my elbow in a 1 gang box. Snaking is NOT a problem for me... :grin:

[Jljohnson]

I bought one when they first came out because I am a tool-monger that can't help myself sometimes. It works pretty well but I haven't used it yet where other typical fishing methods wouldn't have worked just as well.

[LarryFine]

:grin: , i'm so skinny I can insert my hand up to my elbow in a 1 gang box. Snaking is NOT a problem for me... :grin:
You must have the shortest forearms in the world. :-?




Unless, of course, you meant a 1-gang box hole. :grin:

[brian john]

how I picture it working is you fold it in half, then stick the loop in the hole in the wall and push forward, when it presses against the other side of the wall it will spread out into a loop conforming to the insides of the drywall and studs, then when a string or fishtape is dropped down you just pull the measureing tape out and it snatches it in the loop. (some of us guys cant get our hands in cut-in box holes)

exactly !

[220/221]

In the demo pics, most people could just stick their hand in the hole and grab the fish.

My LEFT hand fits in a 1G opening.....but not my right. It's always a good idea to have a helper with girly hands :wink:

I get by with various lengths of standard 1/8" fish tape for framed walls and jack chain for block.

[bjp_ne_elec]

brian john - excellent idea!

ultramegabob - thanks for the clarification!

[stickboy1375]

You must have the shortest forearms in the world. :-?




Unless, of course, you meant a 1-gang box hole. :grin:


That was too funny.

[marcerrin]

I have one of these. I've only come across one situation where it came in handy. If I could do it again, I probably wouldn't have bought it.

[quogueelectric]

Fish sticks and versa bits are my answer just get it done.