Magnetic Electrical Snake

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mkgrady

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Massachusetts
I heard from a GC I work with that there is a snake that operates usung magnets. I googled it and found a description of one but I can't find anything else on the web. I searched this site and found nothing.

The GC said it was really impressive how it worked. You attach a string to a gizme and insert it into a hole in the wall or ceiling. Some kind of magnet is then dragged across the surface(s) towards the destination hole, then the gizmo with the string attached pops out.

Anybody know anything about this product?
 
I think they would be good in a wall jammed full of insulation. A local supply house carries these. They have a little mock-up/demo with plexi-glass where you can see how it works. The wall in the demo has insulation, you can see the magnet roller pull close avoiding the insulation. I still have not purchased one.
 
It's simple:roll: .........you guys are obviously not of the variety of electricians that are aware of the fact that
Clean-Hands-are-Sexy-P.jpg
 
mkgrady said:
How does this relate to OP?
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mkgrady said:
Can anybody see a big benifit to having one of these magnetic snakes?
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You asked a question and I gave an answer, some people see having clean hands as a big benefit.
I apologize that you didn't see the humor with my pic.
Am I missing something here?
That's what I thought this forum was for?
 
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mkoloj said:
You asked a question and I gave an answer, some people see having clean hands as a big benefit.
I apologize that you didn't see the humor with my pic.
Am I missing something here?
That's what I thought this forum was for?
Click to expand...

I like it when humor is mixed in with the discussions. I just didn't get the joke. Now I'm thinking a regular snake can make your hands dirty, so now I guess I get it.
 
Exactly, you wouldn't have to stick your hands in the wall, it was kind of a joke pointed towards people that don't like getting their hands a little dirty.
 
Rac-a-tiers? If that is how it is spelled also makes a similar gizmo. I see at the supply house. I have never used one so I can't tell you if it works or not. Between fish tape and sticks I have never had a use. It almost seems like they are reinventing the wheel .
 
kjw444 said:
Rac-a-tiers? If that is how it is spelled also makes a similar gizmo. I see at the supply house. I have never used one so I can't tell you if it works or not. Between fish tape and sticks I have never had a use. It almost seems like they are reinventing the wheel .
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That's what I'm thinking. I started this thread because a GC I know watched an electrician use the magnetic snake. He thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. The electrician supposedly told him the walls could not have been snaked without it. The walls were lath and plaster. So out of curiousity I started the OP to see what other electricians thought. Based on the response and the videos at the manufacturers website I think the GC was more impressed than I am. I love gadgets and gizmos that make work easier, but I just don't see a benefit to the magnetic snake.
 
OK, I re-watched the video, and if you want to get technical, the hole drilled 1" from the edge of the top plate is a violation if not protected. Should still work if you back that hole up another 1/4", but I am still weary of roller marks on the wall. Maybe it's padded or soft that I can't tell.
 
mkgrady said:
I seems to be it. I looked at a couple of the videos and wonder why it is better than a snake. I think things that are marginally better are not worth having. Just more stuff to haul around.

Can anybody see a big benifit to having one of these magnetic snakes?
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I agree. If I can pull a magnet through a wall I can get a snake or a piece of jack chain through there also.
 
mkoloj said:
You asked a question and I gave an answer, some people see having clean hands as a big benefit.
I apologize that you didn't see the humor with my pic.
Am I missing something here?
That's what I thought this forum was for?
Click to expand...
One of the benifits of being in our trade is that electricians are almost always the funniest guys on the job sights.
 
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