How do you guys do it?

[Vinniem]

When I rough a house/addition, I try to drill my holes and staple my wires as straight as possible.

Some how it never looks as good as some jobs that i've seen other contractors do.

I try taking pride in my work and try to do the best job possible. What am I doing wrong?

Any suggestions?

[busman]

If you have not been shown how to "train" the cables to follow the surfaces, that could be your problem. This involves bending the cable towards the surface in short increments (about 1 foot) as it is placed. It's hard to describe, but easy once you see it done. It's also important to properly unroll the cable to avoid the "slinky" effect. Once it goes "slinky", it's hard to tame it.

Mark

[360Youth]

It's also important to properly unroll the cable to avoid the "slinky" effect. Once it goes "slinky", it's hard to tame it.

Mark


Thank-you, thank-you. I can't tell you how much I hate to see wire pulled w/o unrolling it.

[tallguy]

If you have not been shown how to "train" the cables to follow the surfaces, that could be your problem. This involves bending the cable towards the surface in short increments (about 1 foot) as it is placed. It's hard to describe, but easy once you see it done.

Definitely hard to explain this one... You have to sort of overbend the cable a bit (at least versus what is intuitive) to get it to press up flush against the surface.

As for drilling holes, I just eyeball it from the last couple holes (like lining up a putt using the golf club and pin). If you want to get neurotic you could try snapping chalk line.


It's also important to properly unroll the cable to avoid the "slinky" effect. Once it goes "slinky", it's hard to tame it.

Unless you have it on a 1000' spool, try uncoiling the whole run (or at least a significant portion of it) before you start. If you try to go piecemeal you will drive yourself crazy flipping the coil over repeatedly.

[busman]

If unrolling from a roll (not a spool) of Romex, it is better to unroll from the inside, not the outside. It just works better if unrolling by hand. If using an unwinder, then go from the outside.

Mark

[Dennis Alwon]

When I rough a house/addition, I try to drill my holes and staple my wires as straight as possible.


Try using an angle drill and put it up to your hip. Each hole hold the drill at that same spot while drilling, then use one of these---------

http://www.rack-a-tiers.com/images/part_19455.gif

[ptonsparky]

I was trained to pull several feet from the center of the roll, then uncoil it by whipping the end of it around in the opposit direction of the way it came off the coil. Good for short runs and if you don't have room to unroll the whole coil.

We all have seen some pretty installations that did not work so don't stress to much over it. Looks good from here.

[celtic]

Try using an angle drill and put it up to your hip. Each hole hold the drill at that same spot while drilling, then use ....

....1000' spools.

[480sparky]

I use 1000' spools almost exslusively. I stock a few 250' coils on the truck for service calls, though. To unroll those nice & smooth, I take the first foot of the wire and bend it into a Z shape. I place one hand on the top and bottom of the Z. Then, as I walk away from the spool, I twist the end of the wire in the direction needed to remove the twist as it comes out of the coil. (Imagine an auto mechanic using a speed wrench). The NM isn't as smooth as a 1000' spool, but the coils and kinks are removed.

[raider1]

Try using an angle drill and put it up to your hip. Each hole hold the drill at that same spot while drilling,

That is the same method that I use. I use 250' rolls of cable and a couple of wire spoolers that hang on 2x4's.

Chris

[480sparky]

Try using an angle drill and put it up to your hip.
I used to know a builder who wired his own houses.

His method was as follows, believe or not:

Walk around the house with a tape measure, and put a mark on the edge of each stud at 20" off the floor.
When all the studs are marked, he would then take his square to each stud and mark the side of each stud at that same 20" mark.
When he had marked the side of all the studs, he would then measure each stud and mark the exact center of the stud.
Then he would get out his drill and start drilling. And not just the studs he needed to drill. All of them. Everywhere. Backs of closets, both sides of the hallways, bathrooms, you name it.
His reasoning for this two-day affair? He would then save on copper by using as little as possible between receptacle boxes.

[dduffee260]

I used to know a builder who wired his own houses.

His method was as follows, believe or not:

Walk around the house with a tape measure, and put a mark on the edge of each stud at 20" off the floor.
When all the studs are marked, he would then take his square to each stud and mark the side of each stud at that same 20" mark.
When he had marked the side of all the studs, he would then measure each stud and mark the exact center of the stud.
Then he would get out his drill and start drilling. And not just the studs he needed to drill. All of them. Everywhere. Backs of closets, both sides of the hallways, bathrooms, you name it.
His reasoning for this two-day affair? He would then save on copper by using as little as possible between receptacle boxes.

Sound like the type of guy who would drive 50 miles across town in a truck that gets 10 mpg because gas is 2 cents cheaper there.

[celtic]

I used to know a builder who wired his own houses.



His reasoning for this two-day affair? He would then save on copper by using as little as possible between receptacle boxes.

LMAO ...just how long were these houses "his"?

[480sparky]

Sound like the type of guy who would drive 50 miles across town in a truck that gets 10 mpg because gas is 2 cents cheaper there.

Think that's bad? I used to work with a guy who would buy a new car or truck, then have the windshield replaced with one that has the radio antenna in the glass so he could remove the metal antenna sticking out of his fender. "I get better gas mileage this way!"
He also shaved his legs whenever he went on a bicycle trip.... "Cut's down on wind resistance and makes it easier!"

[celtic]

He also shaved his legs whenever he went on a bicycle trip.... "Cut's down on wind resistance and makes it easier!"

TMI !
(Too much information)

[Dennis Alwon]

I would say he has OCD.

[LarryFine]

Sound like the type of guy who would drive 50 miles across town in a truck that gets 10 mpg because gas is 2 cents cheaper there.You mean not everyone does this? ;)


As for drilling holes in a straight line, I simply line the auger up with the hole I just drilled as I start the next hole. In other words, walk forward, not backward, as you drill.

[stickboy1375]

....1000' spools.


I'm not strong enough to lug those babies up a flight of temp. stairs... I'll stick with 250' rolls... :grin:

[480sparky]

I'm not strong enough to lug those babies up a flight of temp. stairs... I'll stick with 250' rolls... :grin:

Why lug 'em in? Set 'em up in the truck! Or at least in the garage. With no twists and kinks, you could set them up down the street!

[360Youth]

250' rolls for me. I can usually roll out the lengths I need faster than I can reset a spinner each time I change location or floors. Everybody has their methods.

[mattsilkwood]

I'm not strong enough to lug those babies up a flight of temp. stairs... I'll stick with 250' rolls... :grin:
1000'ers for me if you have to lug em fire your helper:grin:

[wireman71]

Some people will make a measuring stick to mark hole lines on studs. You can take a 3/4" piece of PVC. Drill a hole in it that a Sharpie will stick into then fast and easily mark the studs. Doesn't take more than a couple of mins with that method and does make your runs nice and straight.

[celtic]

I'm not strong enough to lug those babies up a flight of temp. stairs... .. :grin:
Why bring both ends when you only one end? :wink:

[mdshunk]

I bought one of those spinny laser gadgets to layout receptacles for a tile wall once upon a time. I thought it would be pretty cool to use to make all my holes line up as I drilled them. I used it a few times, but it got to be pretty stupid. I can just park the drill at my hip and get pretty consistant holes. Not laser perfect, but good enough to be covered up. Sometimes, you can be too anal. Choose accuracy when it counts. Choose efficiency when it counts.

[480sparky]

That's the same method I use. Here's what it looks like:

http://www.code-elec.com/userimages/Bundle.JPG

Looks good from my house!

[celtic]

Looks good from my house!

Looks good from my house too. LOL


Right angle drill, extension bit, auger bit - pick a comfortable spot on your hip/upper thigh ...no ladder required for a typical 8' ceiling ~ with the exception of wires running through joists.

[cschmid]

on your thigh just under your pocket with your hand between your leg and the hole hawg. turn up the Ipod and rock and roll. Mount your boxes off top of your hammer which is equal to 16 in on center of box and pull wires. tape measure for switches and odd stuff. 250' rolls for me easy to handle. things they do not teach in school they don't drill holes and it is an art form. LMAO okay just plain hard work.

[celtic]

...things they do not teach in school they don't drill holes and it is an art form. LMAO okay just plain hard work.

You'd be AMAZED what a sharp bit will do to a piece of wood ;)

[bikeindy]

You'd be AMAZED what a sharp bit will do to a piece of wood ;)

Had a "plumber" ask to borrow a bit the other day. The one he had... "Got this at a yard sale about a year ago." Why is it that some guys don't know the way to the hardware and or tool store?

[mattsilkwood]

Had a "plumber" ask to borrow a bit the other day. The one he had... "Got this at a yard sale about a year ago." Why is it that some guys don't know the way to the hardware and or tool store?


did you give him directions?

[masterinbama]

I saw some pictures somewhere of an awesomely neat romex job but now I can't seem to find it anyone know where they are?

[George Stolz]

Is this the one you had in mind (http://www.electrical-contractor.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=5&Number=122256&Searchpage=1&Main=13098&Words=harold+endean+iwire&topic=0&Search=true#Post122256)?

[tallguy]

Is this the one you had in mind (http://www.electrical-contractor.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=5&Number=122256&Searchpage=1&Main=13098&Words=harold+endean+iwire&topic=0&Search=true#Post122256)?

Darn you are fast. You beat me to it...

[cschmid]

I take my hat off to Harold that is a professional job there.

[tallguy]

I take my hat off to Harold that is a professional job there.

For the record, Harold provided the photos, but he was an inspector on the job, not the EC. That was R.F. Romano Enterprises.

[ptonsparky]

A buddy & his helper used the hammer handle method. Flew through the house until they discovered the hammers were different lenghts. :grin:

[SeanKelly]

A good trick stapling homeruns and wiring in general is staple one end, go to the other and snap it tight and staple it. Make sure you measure off of something to get a straight line on both ends. Next one beside that one and so on and so forth. When your done pulling all the wire you plan to go through there, get a handleful of staples and go back through and back staple them all. This keeps the wires from "walking" every four feet and I personally think it's faster. Works very well on trusses, a little trickier when stapling to the side of something :grin:

[cschmid]

For the record, Harold provided the photos, but he was an inspector on the job, not the EC. That was R.F. Romano Enterprises.
Thanks for the correct information.

tom that would be worth a good laugh to see, that is also good point.