beelzerob
Senior Member
So now that I've acquired the wire, and a very healthy fear of the work before me, it's time to consolidate my list of required tools to wire this monster. Here's what I have so far, based on common sense and suggestions made in the other prewiring thread:
1) Drill - Probably corded rather than cordless, so it won't fail on me at just the right time...especially in the cold environment I'll be working in.
2) Right angle adapter - Attaches to drill for drilling in tight spots, without needing to buy a speciality right-angle drill. Example seen here
3) Auger drilling bits - Use rather than spade bits for drilling through studs. Example seen here
4) A long roll of velcro. Cut pieces as needed to join wires into a single workable wire bundle. Also can be used to hold wires to studs, when velcro is stapled to it.
5) Labels, or label maker. Some will swear you should splurge here and get one of the really good label makers. Others have blasphemed and suggested something like this. I'll probably be a blasphemer here... Others also just use a sharpie and write on the cable jacket itself. Probably a good backup plan.
6) Lots of ladders.
7) PVC or other conduit tubing and sufficient tools to cut them, if installing conduit for wiring or future wiring
8) Nail guards if wiring too close to the edge of the stud
9) Lights and extension cords (if required...and extension cords obviously will be)
So here's what I'm still lacking:
Any other suggestions? Other than beer.....
1) Drill - Probably corded rather than cordless, so it won't fail on me at just the right time...especially in the cold environment I'll be working in.
2) Right angle adapter - Attaches to drill for drilling in tight spots, without needing to buy a speciality right-angle drill. Example seen here
3) Auger drilling bits - Use rather than spade bits for drilling through studs. Example seen here
4) A long roll of velcro. Cut pieces as needed to join wires into a single workable wire bundle. Also can be used to hold wires to studs, when velcro is stapled to it.
5) Labels, or label maker. Some will swear you should splurge here and get one of the really good label makers. Others have blasphemed and suggested something like this. I'll probably be a blasphemer here... Others also just use a sharpie and write on the cable jacket itself. Probably a good backup plan.
6) Lots of ladders.
7) PVC or other conduit tubing and sufficient tools to cut them, if installing conduit for wiring or future wiring
8) Nail guards if wiring too close to the edge of the stud
9) Lights and extension cords (if required...and extension cords obviously will be)
So here's what I'm still lacking:
- A means to fish the small 2c wire from between the window frame. I'm going to run the wire between the window frame and the window box, as there is a very nice little gap there that will get me all the way around the window without having to drill through the header. However, once the wire is laying on top of the window frame, and I drill a small hole up to get it...how do I fish it through? Is there something really useful for that, or is it as simple as running a bent paperclip up the hole, snagging the wire and pulling it through?
- A good pair of wire strippers. I've got LOTS of wire strippers. Some have the predefined wire gauge marks, and I've NEVER noticed those to work good (though to be fair, I don't think I've ever actually know what gauge of wire I was working with). The other thing I have is this. Fully adjustable, and it has worked good for me many times, but it takes some trial and error to set it to the exactly perfect depth of cut. Is there something that is THE thing for wire cutting?
Any other suggestions? Other than beer.....
