I need to run some romex and am looking for a “trick”.
I need to drill through a top plate into an unfinished attic. The cable will come out through a plywood subfloor, behind a stud kneewall that is barely accessible.
The problem is the joist space is filled with fiberglass batt insulation.
I can only drill from below, through the top plate, through the insulation and then through the plywood subfloor. I can’t reach the plywood subfloor from above to do any drilling but I can just reach to pull the wire through.
Is there a way to go through the insulation without tearing it apart?
I thought of drilling a large hole through the top plate, pushing a length of conduit or pipe through to force the insulation against the bottom of the plywood subfloor and then drilling, with a smaller bit, inside the conduit and through the subfloor.
I only need to run a couple of 14-2 or one 14-3 through the hole so I don’t need a giant hole.
This sounds good in theory, but does anyone have a better way of doing this?
Any easier methods would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Replies
between these two you should perservere...
http://www.idealindustries.com/products/wire_installation/fish_tapes/tuff-rod_fishing_poles.jsp
http://www.idealindustries.com/products/tools_totes/saws_drill_bits/flexible_drill_bits.jsp
Greenlee offers the same...
http://www.greenlee.com/
all of this is at yur BB... FWIW....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
http://www.mygreenlee.com/GreenleeDotCom/Products/main.shtml?greenlee_category_id=2&product_category=314&adodb_next_page=1
http://www.mygreenlee.com/GreenleeDotCom/Products/main.shtml?p_search=fish%20stix&greenlee_category_id=100&Submit=Find
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
One important point: Drill through the ceiling, then DON'T SPIN THE DRILL as you push it through the insulation to contact the floor above. As the drill spins in the insulation it will collect a ball of fiberglass around it.
Hi CCI,
I've done this scenario a number of times to run network cables. As you mentioned, slightly over drill the top plate....In my case I only needed room for a network cable or two so my holes are probably a bit smaller than you may need.
I predrill the top plate 3/4" with a good wood boring bit.
I then use a long length 1/2" steel bit - one that has a small cutting head and tapered smooth shaft, not drilled up but rather pushed up tight to/thru the insulation and press it extra firm against the bottom of the subfloor, Please use good leather gloves for this next step as sometimes the drill bit will bite and it just plain don't feel good with what happends next.
Anyhow, with the bit firmly pressed against the bottom side of the subfloor momentarily "reverse" the bit, this with plenty of firm pressure will cut through the insulation - how much rotation is required....just gotta feel for it....then with firm pressure still applied, switch the drill back to forward and bore right on through the subfloor.
Lots of pressure when cutting will minimize any insulation tear out/wrap.
Reverse the drill and back it out.
Now keeping at the same angle use a sturday extremely straight rod of some sort to fish it up and through the holes you've drilled. For this type of work I find traditional fish tape to have too much curve and bend too easy. A 3/16th inch fiberglass rod type fish tool is awesome at this.
Once you've gotten it pushed up into the knee wall area, tape your wire to the bottom of it, go to the attic and pull it through.....the fiberglass rods have enough flexibility that you can easily bend one end around to touch the other and it still springs back to a perfect "straight" tool.
I've never bought from these listings but it does describe the rods I'm talking about here.....
http://www.licensedelectrician.com/Store/KI/Wire-Pulling-Rods.htm
http://www.wctproducts.com/sectional_push_rod_menu.html
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RV4T3U
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Thanks to all for the suggestions.
The snaking part is no problem - I hope. It was drilling thru the fibergalss batt.
I will try the method of pushing up tight thru the fiberglass and against the subfloor - that sounds promising.
Thanks for the help, as usual.
Don't forget to use a steel drilling type of bit as it has less tendancy to grab the fiberglass
and
reverse the drill before cutting forward.......all important steps of experience....it's still not a perfect process but I've had excellent results all the way around.
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