Big EMT Fishing

[retirede]

Just buy a couple mice instead of the bag. Use a full on compressor if you need to. The one thing with a compressor, make sure you have some friction on the string so the mouse, pulls the string or the string will bunch up and that is a real bummer.

I saw a guy use a compressor to shoot a mouse through the pipe. He didn’t secure the loose end and the whole works was expelled from the other end in mere seconds.

 

[renosteinke]

I've not had the challenge -- all of my "big" (4") runs have been quite short -- but you got me thinking.
What I have done for difficult runs includes:
- Using a tight mouse, even a size larger than the pipe;
- Using a mouse with hard "washers" fore and aft, to help the foam keep shape;
- Using a vacuum to pull while a compressor / blower / air tank pushes;
- Feeding fish tapes from both ends, hoping to catch one with the other;
- Cheat and pull in the rope as the pipe is assembled.
Now for some "creative" thinking:
- Can you tape / caulk the connections to reduce leakage?
- Can you put lube in the line as you assemble it?
- Know a plumber? He might have a "snake" that's long enough.
To be completely silly . . . Have you a pet ferret?

 

[NEC Inspector]

To be completely silly . . . Have you a pet ferret?

You put a mouse in first, give him a head start, then send the ferret in...

 

[darekelec]

I saw a guy use a compressor to shoot a mouse through the pipe. He didn’t secure the loose end and the whole works was expelled from the other end in mere seconds.

I heard one guy was hit with a projectile from a pipe. His jaw spun backwards and he had to reset it like Daffy Duck.

 

[retirede]

I heard one guy was hit with a projectile from a pipe. His jaw spun backwards and he had to reset it like Daffy Duck.

When I saw it happen, my first thought was that thankfully, no one was in line with the pipe outlet!

 

[Wade M]

Does the silicone caulk compromise bonding of metal parts?

I doubt it, but I have nothing to support that. Larger EMT couplings have four set screws. I think they will bite through any silicone and make a solid metal-metal connection between the two pieces of EMT. Besides, I have never put wire in conduit without an EGC. On a long run of EMT without an EGC I think tape would be a safer choice. Just saying that in my experience in my area silicone is the go to option. If I had to start installing 300' of 3" EMT tomorrow I'd use silicone.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I saw a guy use a compressor to shoot a mouse through the pipe. He didn’t secure the loose end and the whole works was expelled from the other end in mere seconds.

Never used plant air for large conduits, but we did all the time for smaller conduits because the plant I worked in was mostly Class I, Division 2. The vacuum required a hot work permit, but the plant air did not. We shot the standard foam "mouse" that you would use with the vacuum.