SCG
Member
- Location
- Austin, TX
So once upon a time I worked in a giant tech fab here in Austin. The guys were installing power to a very expensive tool that is part of micro chip manufacturing process. I believe it was two 2" EMTs. The conduits were installed & wire was pulled. About a month later the equipment was energized and ruined due to the 1/2" hole saw doughnut being lost inside and causing a short. There was a vast meeting with hundreds of electricians seeking to address this issue. They spoke about hole saws being banned, holding boxes inside while drilling enclosures (which is usually the standard), holding linoleum squares with the adhesive side up to catch debris, and various other ideas. I had an idea but kept my mouth shut and incidentally was laid off shortly after when work died out. I built my prototype and filed a patent for it. I have used it many times and its proven pretty valuable. Basically is a c clamp style vise grip with a protruding bottom jaw that has a small mechanic's magnetic dish on the end. You can mark your hole on top of a panel or other enclosure and set the top jaw an inch back which centers the dish underneath. Obviously you can't use a hole saw who's pilot bit protrudes very far (3'4 inch is perfect), but I never do anyway when drilling into something that has wires in it. It also protects wires and parts aside from containing debris. the industry standard seems to be holding a 2100 blank when drilling in the side of a panel to make sure the bit doesn't bite wiring. The other advantage is that it is now a one person operation instead of the apprentice holding a box, or 2100 cover while the electrician drills a hole.
I'm trying to navigate possibly monetizing the idea. Sometimes I feel like it's silly, sometimes I think it's a good idea. Certainly every electrician would not be interested in using this, but in very high dollar facilities, where safely of persons and equipment is very much fixated upon I can see it being a good addition & having a market - especially for hot work protocols. Would you buy one? I would like feed back to see what everyone thinks. One major design limitation that I am trying to work out is using it in busy panels where conduits or cables don't leave room for the dish to clamp flush on the inside - any advice is very much appreciated. Also any advice on manufacturing would be helpful, I can not get any manufacturers in America to return a call or email.
I am a long time reader and have answered many field questions from the wealth of knowledge on this board so thanks for what you do!
I'm trying to navigate possibly monetizing the idea. Sometimes I feel like it's silly, sometimes I think it's a good idea. Certainly every electrician would not be interested in using this, but in very high dollar facilities, where safely of persons and equipment is very much fixated upon I can see it being a good addition & having a market - especially for hot work protocols. Would you buy one? I would like feed back to see what everyone thinks. One major design limitation that I am trying to work out is using it in busy panels where conduits or cables don't leave room for the dish to clamp flush on the inside - any advice is very much appreciated. Also any advice on manufacturing would be helpful, I can not get any manufacturers in America to return a call or email.
I am a long time reader and have answered many field questions from the wealth of knowledge on this board so thanks for what you do!