Drill bits for firestops, caps?

[exverizon]

Anyone have a favorite tool or technique for drilling up or down (inside a wall cavity) between a flush mount jack location and the next level, be it an attic or room above? I've tried 72 inch "flex" bits from below using an angled drill, but have a devil of a time getting through the center of a firestop and cap (or next floor level)into the space above without damaging the drywall somewhere. It looks easy in pictures (LSD tools, etc), but trying it is something else. Attic down is easy if it's an interior wall, but reaching an outer wall cap from the top is nearly impossible.

I wish someone could invent a tool that would drill straight up in a wall from a jack location. I'd pay good money. Engineers, where are you?

 

[daronwilson]

I do like the 72" flex bits, though getting up the wall from a standard height flush jack is tough. I generally end up going in the attic and drilling the top plate with a 1.5" hole or so and fishing or dropping a string down. If necessary, it's not too bad to get a flex bit in that big hole and hit a piece of blocking in the middle if needed and drop the bit with a string down to the jack level and pull it out.

I'm generally willing to only spend so much time with the fishing deal, if I can't get past the block I open the wall. Sometimes it is with a 1.5" hole saw right on the horizontal 2x4 block. This give me enough room to slice the block for the wire to go through, and then put the disc of sheetrock back in. If you are careful, a bit of caulking or spackle can put the wall back into shape and only require a bit of touch up paint.

Each install is different, I do carry a kit with drywall mud, one time spackle, spray texturing, etc. and a spray paint can of off white and beige paint. It gets the cover up done about 90 percent of the time. If the homeowner is concerned about it, they may have to provide the touch up paint.

I think the wall fishing thing is an art indeed, and while it looks easy when the wall is built from 2x4 and covered with plexiglass instead of drywall, it's a bit different with blocking and insulation

Good Luck!

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com