Best was to chase cable?

[viperuk1983]

hi just wondered if you could help?? we have done things a little backwards, we have have the hallway plastered and then decided we need a lightswitch putting in, i know theres chasers you can buy, but just wondered if there was an cheap and easier way to do this without making a mess??

thanks

 

[pja123]

Lump hammer and chisel, it'll take a wee bit longer but if it's just for the one it'll save you money. Just my two pence.

 

[HullMarc]

Hammer & bolster.

 

[conny]

If you are just cutting the one chase you could try cutting the 2 grooves with a tenon saw and then gently chiselling the centre out. Need a bit of patience but it saves destroyjng the surrounding plaster too much and not as dusty as a small grinder/cutter.

 

[martinxxxxxx]

If you were in my area I would charge 15 for the chase using my chasing machine connectd to a vacume cleaner. Makes a bit of dust but not that much

Have a ring round your local sparks,

Martin

This leaves a really neat chase that can be neatly back filled. Hitting with a hammer could have loads falling off if it has just been done.

 

[conny]

Hitting with a hammer could have loads falling off if it has just been done.

Which is why I suggested the tenon saw.

£15 is that just for the chase?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

just wondered if there was an cheap and easier way to do this without making a mess??

Wireless switches. Can't get cheaper and easier than no chasing at all.

 

[dc110770]

I don't get it? wireless light switch I mean.

i want an outside light installed but the nearest plug (power supply) to where I want the internal light switch to be is under the stairs. I have had a quote of £80 to get the light switch connected to the plug which means chasing up the wall. can a wireless light switch be installed without chasing?

 

[TicklyT]

Chain drill along centre of chase with 15 or 18mm masonry bit, and tidy up the edges with a hammer and bolster?

I like the tenon saw idea, but the saw probably won't be a lot of good afterwards. Still, a cheap 'n' cheerful one would probably do the job....

 

[ban-all-sheds]

can a wireless light switch be installed without chasing?

Yes.

You can get battery powered ones, or MK now do one which harvests the power it needs from all the RF that's around. How well that works I wouldn't know - might be worth posting a separate Q here, and on a few other sites.

Battery should be fine though.

 

[mikeyd]

MK now do one which harvests the power it needs from all the RF that's around

No, they get their power from the motion of the switch being pressed.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yo - my apologies - I misread the blurb on MK's website.

According to the people who developed the technology though it can also "harvest" energy from vibrations and light.

http://www.enocean.com/energy-harvesting-wireless/

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Maybe they could make one which has 2 small spikes of different metal which you jamb your thumb onto and turn yourself temporarily into a battery.

People encountering switches at "Part M heights" are advised to resist the temptation to jam the spikes into other body parts.