Inwall fishing, retrofits

[EdPorts]

Another post...

I've been doing a lot of retro fit inside wiring lately... and I'm trying to find a better way to fish walls rather than knocking out a 5" ring of drywall with a holesaw at the fireblock level, notching out the fireblocking, and then fishing my cable down the wall.

I've been seeing these flexbits a lot lately, I've tried using them -- seems like it didn't work well.

Anyone have any degree of success with those? I'd like to give my clients a clean job, rather than having to come down in their closets or some other room and using wiremold. seems like these flexbits should get me through the fireblocking. Maybe I should be cutting a larger hole out at the top plate?

 

[Servamatic]

I have used those bits very successfully.
They make them with different types of drill bits on them, each has a specific type of use where they perform better than other drill bits.

There are numerous tricks one can use to keep from cutting holes in drywall, something I refuse to do.

Visit the training department online...

http://trainingdept.com

They have some great...(and humorous) tapes on training retrofit installers.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[daronwilson]

Simply said, flexbits are a lifesaver. My truck also includes a small tub of drywall mud, tape, etc. which is great in a pinch. Fortunately I grew up in the construction trade and I have to problem opening a small portion of wall if need be and putting it back.

Flex bits - I use them all the time, they take some practice, and there are different types of tips depending on what you want to do. I find the screw auger tip to be great IF you know where it is going. On the other hand, if you aren't sure where you are going, the twist drill type tends to be easier to 'steer' and yes, you can steer it with some practice. One handy thing to pick up is the tool you stick inside the wall to hold the drill bit and the angle you want. We routinely keep 1/4", 3/8" and 5/8" 24", 36" and 72" on the trucks. The 1/4" is the business for alarm work.

Fishing a wall with a fire block - it's usually not too bad if it isn't insulated, if it is insulated, it can be a real chore. Often we make a good sized (2&quot hole in the top plate, then drop down the 72" bit and try to find the center of the block. If you can't drill it, you can use a stud finder to find the actual cross block. It's pretty easy to hole saw a 2" hole in the drywall there, save the piece you cut out. Chisel or drill the actual block deep enough for the wire to pass through, push the 72" bit up and drill through the top plate. After you get the wire in the wall, gently nail or screw the 2" piece back in place and do some simple patching.

Many many ways to do it, personally I have never had the drill bit come out where I didn't intend. *laughs* ok, yeah i've ended up in the hallway, in the carpet, and the grandaddy of all I drilled right through the middle of a 2" PVC pipe with the main 200 amp service. No sparks.

Be carefull, it's easy to catch some power when you are in the wall working blindly.

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

 

[Servamatic]

If you want to place the cable in the center of the fire block then yes you will have a hard time of it.
With the flex bits it is best to go for the back corners and let the bit do the work. This is especially true in an insulated wall, as the insulation usually has a small gap in the corner making is easy to get a drill bit through without making cotton candy on the end of it.

Hard to explain this in type, but if you see the video of it, it will make your retrofit life MUCH easier, and you will most likely NEVER have to patch drywall again.

I have no affiliation with the Training Dept, other than I used some of their videos in class.

Another great source for retrofit tools is Labor $aving Devices, Inc. They also have some great videos and tools.

http://www.lsdinc.com/

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[mikeydidit]

This may be of some help to you guy’s. I found these a while back while looking for a solution for repairing substandard work that was done here through the years. We are a hospital and fire stopping is a must. I use some of these products and have very good installs using them on new installations and retrofitting over bad installs. The one that might interest you is the penetrator. You can simply install this over the header to seal the penetration. Chech these out and see if it something you can use.

http://www.uniquefirestop.com/products.htm

Mikey

 

[Servamatic]

Mikey

I have used a lot of their products on retrofits, they sure make life easy.

We had a client where all the fiber and copper backbone had to be firestopped or the fire marshall threatened to close the business till it was, we came in with Uniques products and didn't have to shut down any of the clients networks to install the firestops....they were VERY pleased.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net