Had a chat with an old electrician that changed how I pull cable

I was on a job in a warehouse downtown last Thursday and this electrician in his 60s walked over while I was fighting with a stuck run through conduit. He just said 'you're pulling against friction, not the bend' and showed me how to use a fish tape with a slight twist to reduce drag. Honestly it hit different because I've been doing this for 5 years and never thought about the physics of it that way. Has anyone else had an old timer drop some simple knowledge that made you feel like a rookie?

2 comments

2 Comments

faithb7427d ago

That tip about twisting the fish tape is gold. Makes total sense when you think about it. I've seen guys yank on cable like they're trying to start a lawnmower, just straight pull until it binds up. A little rotation breaks the contact points, lets the tape slide instead of grind. Same principle as waxing a drawer runner or using lube on a drill bit. Simple physics, just nobody bothers to explain it.

fionarodriguez27d ago

Lawnmower starter" is right @faithb74, I'm surprised they don't need a chiropractor after.