best way to run cable

[RabidDawg 0]

I've done a search and must not be using the correct terminology to do the search. What is the best way to run cable in a drop down ceiling, without having to mess with every other tile? I've tried using a weight on the end of a string and sometimes I'd get it down the run 20 feet, but most of the time it would only be 5 - 6 feet and it would hit something, is there anything that would work better?

 

Thanks.

[VST_Man 1]

quick and easy.....use a 25ft. tape measure, works great on false ceilings and also on eves......................

[scottj 0]

Fiberglass wiring push/pull rods. Screw them together and away you go, easily up to 20 feet. (gets a little flimsy though at 20'). They have them at HomeDepot, about 40 bucks.

 

scottj

[griffonsystems 0]

dawg,

 

seach for fish tape or a fiberglass rod. checkout home depot they should have both and it will make ur life a lot easier

 

goodluck

 

pg

[rory 0]

im oldschool, tape my cutters to the end of the cable and trow it!! Yippie

[cctvfan 0]

running 3 coax or less: fibre glass fishing rod (cascadable 12-ft type)

 

running 5 coax or more: 10-ft PVC conduit (v strong yet flexi enough to bend around tight plenum headroom)

[UMDRanger 0]

Duct tape some strong sting to a light ball, or softball. Toss. You can throw above ducts, pipes, etc, and it will roll. Everyone finds the method that works best for them.

[C7 in CA 0]

For the occasional cable pull you WILL probably be better off with the weight on a string approach others have mentioned.

 

If the ceiling is wide open I use a gopher pole:

 

It's 22 feet long when it is telescoped out all the way. retracted it is only 4+ feet.

 

 

 

If access is tighter, or for fishing down walls I use Glow rods:

 

 

I don't know why I call them glow rods... Mine don't glow.

 

So those work great for running cable. But around here nothing can hang on the ceiling support structure. We can't just lay cable on the grid. It all has to be self supporting. So if regulations is something you are concerned about you might want to check with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction. (AHJ) about acceptable practices.

[CSG 0]

anyone ever try one of those suction cup dart pistols to shoot a messenger line ?

[scottj 0]

Tape the wires to a cat, place the food at the other end of the drop ceiling. Let the cat go....you are in business. If the cat gets lost or doesn't make it to the food bowl, you really haven't lost anything....

[C7 in CA 0]

I've played with a CableCaster a little bit. It was semi-effective, But mostly a toy in my opinion.

 

[baywatch 1]

The rods are the way to go. They will pay for themselves in the first job.

 

If you haven't got rods use plastic trunking

[eyecu 0]

Anyone ever try a sling shot (wrist rocket),small weight, string or fishing line?

[UMDRanger 0]

Used a slingshot for setting up Amature radio antennas.

[Thomas 0]

I've used a wrist rocket to run cat 5. Two things are important. One is aim (having broken a drop ceiling tile) and the other is crimp after the cable is run (also learned the hard way). But that was a few years ago when we wired the high school.

[qman 0]

I do it the old school dominican way.....I take about 10 feet of wire, and throw it down the ceeling. It works a lot of times, but sometimes it get's wrapped around something, but o well.

 

But my prefered method is having my installers do it

[VST_Man 1]

charge the client 50 an hour and pay herm 10.....

[rory 0]

[protecvideo 0]

Attatch to remote control 4X4 truck. We tried it at a walmart (7years ago) and it works. (sometimes)

[UMDRanger 0]

I wouldn't trust my RC truck to stay above the fiberglass tiles at Target. And to get over the ceiling grid I'd need a RC truck. But on the other hand.... I'm sure it'd be fun.

[jisaac 0]

oh ya i like the fiber poles like the grabbzit by labor saving devices get 2 and have some one on the other end both of you have the z tips and you can run 40 feet in a matter of seconds

[stupot 0]

Crossbow, but advise against it in a shopping centre, more so if you are a crap shot.

 

Stu.

[C7 in CA 0]

oh ya i like the fiber poles like the grabbzit by labor saving devices get 2 and have some one on the other end both of you have the z tips and you can run 40 feet in a matter of seconds

 

I'll have to try that. I almost lost a pole the other day. It took the guy I had working with me like 40 minutes to find it in the ceiling. Of course it turned up missing at the end of the day when all I wanted to do was go home. Luckily I had tons of phone calls to make from within my air conditioned truck... Because I sure didn't want to have to go looking around for that thing!

[jisaac 0]

its amazing how much stuff is probably in our clients ceilings!

Hey c7 did you ever try that?

[VST_Man 1]

just purchased and used a fiber extension pole, 25ft., that extends of like a fishing pole, no screw tips. worked great. will get another.