Killer Tip for running wires and lines

[Hohn]

Puff the Magic Zip Tie!



After trying coat hangers and other means of fishing wires and nylon tubing and such through tight areas, I found the best way ever.



Go to Home Depot or someplace and get the largest Zip Ties you can. Use them to feed wires and such throguh dashes and ducts by using masking tape to tape the ends to the end of the zip tie. Masking tape is easy to undo, but sticks very well.



I have done it two ways: one, tape the wires to the zip tie, then PUSH it through, or two, push the zip tie through, then tape the stuff to it and PULL it back through.



I have a 34" zip tie for ducting that works for this like pure magic. I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier!!!!



HOHN

 

[illflem]

I use a two foot long, 1/8'' diameter steel rod with a sharp point on one end and what looks like a handle for a pull starter rope on the other, has a small hole in the pointed end you can hook a wire though. The point easily pierces rubber grommets and pulls wire though leaving a tight seal. Have no idea what this device was originally intended to do but it works excellent on vehicles and for phone wires though walls etc.

 

[Big White Beast]

Sounds like it could work.......

The flatness of the zip tie would make it good in certain situations.



Another neat trick for multiple wire runs is this. Take the wires and cut to length. Chuck them in a vise on one end and a battery drill on the other. Hit the trigger and you have instant twited pair (or more) wire. Keeps em neater in a lot of situations. Leave a little extra length when cutting as the twist will shrink the overall legth some.



Garrett



#ad

 

[Hohn]

what is that a pic of? I mean, it's a transmission pan obviously, but is that a temp sensor or something you wired in?



BWB-- inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Big White Beast]

If you must know........

After my fan experiment (see photos) I added a temp sending unit to the pan to see if was really helping drop the temps. Toggle switches on the A-pillar to control fan (via relay, those suckers draw some start up amps) and toggle between senders. LED is to let me know I have the fan on as I forget. On a side note I tried the blue LED's and had no luck. They couldn't take any voltage variance at all. Have a green one in there now.



While they don't drop the temps any they do help control the climb on hot days. I wouldn't spend the money again.



Garrett



#ad




#ad

 

[Dkevdog]

I've always used a "glow stick"- a fiberglass flourescent translucent rod used alot in the alarm and low volt business for running wire in wall drops.



Kev

 

[Big White Beast]

Got those too.........

Kev I use em all the time, nice because of the hole in the end that you can thread the wire through. Unfortunately they are too long for use in a car or truck.



Lamp pull chain works well down walls. Then you can fish it out with a magnet on a stick. T-Bar cieling wire is useful too. Unlike the green sticks you can cut those to length.



The best tool for fishing wires though is patience



Garrett

 

[Dkevdog]

Garret - I've cut some of the old (read "broken already") glowsticks down and used them automotive. T-Bar wire works wonders for all sorts of tricks like that. Never though about lamp pull chain- might work well. Problem I ALWAYS have is the insulation plays games with whatever I'm fishing .



Kev