How to fish cable INSIDE an exterior wall
#1
08-15-15, 05:37 AM
How to fish cable INSIDE an exterior wall
Exterior wall meaning one side is my room, the other side is the great outdoors. I want to bring cable and network line up from basement (unfinished area) thru the wall to a finished receptacle.
The cable company sent one of their finest installers (NOT!) who wanted to drill a hole in my brand new hardwood floors. The guy was clueless about home construction and I couldn't throw him out of my home quick enough.
Should I hire an electrician who has more experience or is this a DIY "with a little help from my friends" here on forums?
Links? Videos? Thank you in advance.
The cable company sent one of their finest installers (NOT!) who wanted to drill a hole in my brand new hardwood floors. The guy was clueless about home construction and I couldn't throw him out of my home quick enough.
Should I hire an electrician who has more experience or is this a DIY "with a little help from my friends" here on forums?
Links? Videos? Thank you in advance.
#2
08-15-15, 05:49 AM
With careful measurements you can drill up through the bottom plate inside the wall and run the cable to an opening in the wall. It is usually best to use a bell bit (long and skinny), cut the square hole in the wall where you will be placing the old work box and drill downward as close as possible to the interior wall into the basement. Leave the bit in the hole once it exits so you can see it readily when you go downstairs. Then once the bit is removed, drill a 5/8" or so hole upward into and through the bottom plate. This will give you enough space to run the cable. Seal the hole with Fire rated caulk once the cable is in place.
#3
08-15-15, 08:37 AM
Group Moderator
I cut a hole in the wall upstairs the size for a old work electrical box. Then, I have a drill bit especially for fishing wires through walls. It's a 3/4" spiral bit with a 3' long flexible shank. It came with a metal handle/tool that you can use to direct the shaft in the wall. I try to fish the drill down between the vapor barrier and sheetr rock. Then drill through the plates into the basement or crawl space. After breaking through leave the drill in place. The drill bit has a hole on the end so you can attach your cable to the end and when you pull the bit out it pulls your cable along with it.
#4
08-15-15, 08:41 AM
If you can carefully remove the shoe molding you can carefully drill a 1/8" hole down through the floor to give you a precise location for drilling up. Replace the shoe molding and hole is hidden. Even if you don't remove the shoe molding a 1/8" hole drilled right at the shoe molding then filled with colored filler will never be visible.
#5
08-15-15, 09:00 AM
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All the above are good techniques. I use the guide hole behind the baseboard method as Ray posted and then drill at an angle from below.
Whatever method you use the key is to cut your hole first for the old work box. You can usually get your hand in the hole and feel around for any obstructions.
Whatever method you use the key is to cut your hole first for the old work box. You can usually get your hand in the hole and feel around for any obstructions.
#6
08-15-15, 09:14 AM
Member
I would not suggest cutting the hole first, drill a pilot hole even using a piece of wire coat hanger will work, as close to the baseboard as possible then from the basement drill up through the plate at a slight angle,push a short snake up into the bay and make sure it goes up freely,now cut your box in,you can use plastic device rings instead of a box.
http://www.aifittings.com/products/s...CEDIA_2012.pdf
Geo
http://www.aifittings.com/products/s...CEDIA_2012.pdf
Geo
#7
08-15-15, 09:40 AM
Group Moderator
Keep in mind.... an outside wall means insulation. I don't recommend a long extension bit in that application.
#8
08-15-15, 11:24 AM
Group Moderator
I have never used the long drill bit pictured and I can pretty much fish any wall. 
I used the 1/8" drill bit to locate where I want to drill through the bottom plate. Go to the basement and drill up keeping in mind that drill bit is outside the wall! Instead of using a remodel box, I would suggest just using a low voltage ring. This will give you more space to bend your cables and make the terminations.
For fishing through the insulation use some fiberglass "fish stix". I have used both the "pro" (Greenlee) and cheap (Harbor Fright) with good success. Just make sure to drill a good size hole. I normally use 7/8" to 1".
Yeah, that is fairly common for cable/telephone/satellite guys not to fish wires. I love it when I see a nice new house with cable TV run on the outside of the siding. 
I used the 1/8" drill bit to locate where I want to drill through the bottom plate. Go to the basement and drill up keeping in mind that drill bit is outside the wall!
Instead of using a remodel box, I would suggest just using a low voltage ring. This will give you more space to bend your cables and make the terminations.For fishing through the insulation use some fiberglass "fish stix". I have used both the "pro" (Greenlee) and cheap (Harbor Fright) with good success. Just make sure to drill a good size hole. I normally use 7/8" to 1".
The cable company sent one of their finest installers (NOT!) who wanted to drill a hole in my brand new hardwood floors.
#9
08-15-15, 11:29 AM
run on the outside of the siding.
#10
08-15-15, 11:32 AM
If the installers don't do the required number of installs per day someone who can is hired. The cable company doesn't care about quality just quantity. Once did an interview with door installer contractor for big box. There was no way I could do a quality install and meet daily quota.
#11
08-15-15, 12:52 PM
Group Moderator
Should I hire an electrician who has more experience
#12
08-15-15, 01:53 PM
Member
I had cable installed a years ago,I came home from work just as the Knuckle head was leaving in his truck,he said he couldn't fish the wall so the cable was near the baseboard,when I went in I couldn't believe what he considered next to the base, 18" from the base right through the the W to W carpet.
Lucky for him he didn't catch a thread in the carpet.
Enough of the Cable Guy bashing!
Geo
Lucky for him he didn't catch a thread in the carpet.
Enough of the Cable Guy bashing!
Geo
