cable threader or tape?

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JohnB47

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I need to install telephone extension wiring and I want to get away with lifting the minimum of floorboards and carpet. Ive looked up cable threaders and something called electricians fish tape, which comes on a reel.

The threader rods have reviews that say the connectors break, so the tape seems a better bet. The problem is I don't know what the tape looks like. If it's a sort of flexible but stiffish wire, then that's ok. I want to be able to push the tape along the gap between floorboards and ceiling, so it needs to have some stiffness.

Is one of those tape things what I need? Any recommendations?

Thanks.
 
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Personally I think the rods are better, but that is my opinion only.

You may have to traverse joists under the floor, in which case you will need to lift a complete board all the way across to get the cable through.
 
Fish tape is for fishing through conduit and is not appropriate for your intended application.
 
Thanks both. Yes, im thinking of being able to push something through the gap between joists, over a lath and plaster ceiling. Looks like the tape isn't what i want then - I was worried about the word tape. Ive used a tape measure in the past but that's only good enough with less than about a meter extended, then it's too floppy.

So, apart from the rods that you need to screw (?) together, there's no other option?
 
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MMT1 - 2 trunking lid good for flipping when stuck on lath, tape 2 or more together for more length.
Ive also pushed tape into an area i want to get to and used trunking lid with wire coat hanger hook taped on the end, my old boss used to use a steel wire and he could fish anything, used to **** me off when he would come in and get to hole no poblem.
 
Thanks.

Swampy, I get the idea. Trouble is I don't have any trunking. Might buy some though. Simon, I see what you mean but the cost of those of is way beyond the use I'd get from them. Perhaps I'll look for a reasonably robust set of cheaper rods.

Thanks again all.
 
Actually I've just ordered a set of those Draper ones from Amazon - £12.95. I'm sure they'll be good enough for my occasional light work.

Cheers for all the advice.
 
ironsidebod said:
... single best thing I've ever bought.
Click to expand...
I quickly came to that conclusion as well. Apart from the normal use for wiring related tasks, I've found they have all sorts of uses. Even the ones with ends missing have their uses when you want to poke something through a small hole.
 
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