String guns

[codeunderstanding]

What would work the best for fishing a wire throug a chase where the furnace ducts are? There is room off to the side where the trunck lines are for the furnace ducts. Ther is room on the bottom of the chase where you can get your shoulders up in there to shoot a string line of some sort from there to the open furnace room? I think a fish tape will get stuck on the framing of the chase. Are there any guns or some thing that works good for this type of fish in?

 

[electricalperson]

greenlee makes a cable caster. i have one and use it sometimes. only problem is you need perfect aim and it might get stuck on things. plus make sure you dont aim it at your helper or you might shoot his eye out. http://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-Cast...d_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1231193872&sr=8-1

 

[480sparky]

Greenlee makes a CableCaster.

 

[steelersman]

What would work the best for fishing a wire throug a chase where the furnace ducts are? There is room off to the side where the trunck lines are for the furnace ducts. Ther is room on the bottom of the chase where you can get your shoulders up in there to shoot a string line of some sort from there to the open furnace room? I think a fish tape will get stuck on the framing of the chase. Are there any guns or some thing that works good for this type of fish in?

The best is the fiberglass fish sticks that you can screw together to make longer. Or if you can start from up top and fish down then the best thing would be a chain long enough to reach the bottom. Just drop it down. Don't forget to hold on to one end though.

 

[electricalperson]

ive heard of people using a remote control tank or truck with a string attached. they say it works pretty well

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I have used pieces of 1/2" PVC and add on when necessary.

 

[steelersman]

ive heard of people using a remote control tank or truck with a string attached. they say it works pretty well

I've heard of snake charmers, charming a very long snake up through a chase before. Then they have someone up top waiting for it who grabs it and ties on a piece of wire.

 

[480sparky]

If you're in a resi application, I've got a million dollars worth of good out of a set of LSD CreepZits. They go straight and won't curl up like a fishtape.

Greenlee & GB make similar sets now.

 

[wewirepgh]

Try using 1/2" pvc conduit

Try using 1/2" pvc conduit

Try using 1/2" pvc conduit it's flexible and you can put two pieces for together longer runs.

 

[steelersman]

If you're in a resi application, I've got a million dollars worth of good out of a set of LSD CreepZits. They go straight and won't curl up like a fishtape.

Greenlee & GB make similar sets now.

sounds like what I said a few posts above.

 

[electricalperson]

I've heard of snake charmers, charming a very long snake up through a chase before. Then they have someone up top waiting for it who grabs it and ties on a piece of wire.

i read a book called electricians trade secrets or something like that and they had a story of a guy putting a cat in the celing and tying a string to his collar and opening a can of catfood at the other end of the celing and the cat finds his way

i dont think that would work very well

 

[steelersman]

i read a book called electricians trade secrets or something like that and they had a story of a guy putting a cat in the celing and tying a string to his collar and opening a can of catfood at the other end of the celing and the cat finds his way

i dont think that would work very well

That's pretty damn funny if you ask me. I would actually consider that if I were ever fishing accross an attic, but usually you don't need to make holes in the ceiling when you have attic space.

 

[electricalperson]

That's pretty damn funny if you ask me. I would actually consider that if I were ever fishing accross an attic, but usually you don't need to make holes in the ceiling when you have attic space.

i actually dont believe the story in the book i find it hard to believe a cat would walk in a straight line. i wouldnt put my cats in drop celings they might get hurt.

 

[mattsilkwood]

i read a book called electricians trade secrets or something like that and they had a story of a guy putting a cat in the celing and tying a string to his collar and opening a can of catfood at the other end of the celing and the cat finds his way

i dont think that would work very well

i think a bb gun would work faster than the cat food had a helper one time offer to bring in his bow, i diddnt figure that would be a good idea in a working office

i like the fiberglass sticks myself you can steer them by pulling one way or the other on your string of wire.

 

[codeunderstanding]

Greenlee makes a CableCaster.

Do those cable casters have good muzzle velocity?

 

[electricalperson]

ive used fish sticks before and 1/2 inch pvc or whatever i had lying around to fish with. i like to use fish sticks more than an actual fish tape the cable caster is fun but it might be a little difficult unless your celing is clear. most of the celings in buildings have ducts,pipes and other things in the way

another guy i worked with had one of those big lead fishing weights he would tie a string too and throw it and that worked for him

 

[480sparky]

Try a length of #4 bare.

 

[alfiesauce]

A set of fish sticks is what you need.
They work well for running through spaces like that, you can whip them over obsticals and they'll keep a lot straighter line then a fish tape will.

 

[smo]

http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1951

This will do the trick just fine. But be sure that you will use it again to get your money's worth....

 

[LarryFine]

Hint: wrap a bit of white tape around the end of your fishtape, rod, pipe, cat, ferret, or whatever you use to make it easier to see.

http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1951

Didn't I see that in a James Bond movie?