ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Short Wires

What I don't understand is why one trade (sheetrockers) seem to think that in the normal course of their work it is OK to damage another trades completed work and not be accountable. I know this really doesn't address the issue, just lettin' off steam.

I leave slack in nearly everything and haven't been flagged yet. Inspectors fairly 'real world' around here.

Stick a stacker above or below the box, and put a loop of cable in it. If you need to move, or pull some slack into the box... Give a good tug, and pull the loop out. The code only says that the romex be supported 12" before the box, and it is, when it is installed. After rock, if all goes choppy rocky... The slack you pulled is fished after the finish....

If you don't like the look of a loop, go from one side of the stud bay to the other, and use stackers instead of staples for the same effect.

"I understand the idea but given what my guys' first attempt looks like, I'd be afraid to see what they did the second time around."

Maybe its time for some training, or a good spanking. They do have to learn somehow....

e57 -

What is a "stacker"? Is it called anything else?

Steve

My new policy is going to be a slack loop, with the staple installed right where code calls for. Nick the wire with roto zip and I kick in the wall above the box, losen staple, pull in romex and make up box, walk away, send contractor a bill for the extra work I had to do.

Back charge the rockers a few times and you'll see how fast they stop doing that.

"Nick the wire with roto zip and I kick in the wall above the box, losen staple, pull in romex and make up box, walk away, send contractor a bill for the extra work I had to do."

Now there is a real solution, to the problem.

I give the offender the option. You do it or I will. Had a dry waller cover every box on one wall. We had 15 openings. I went to the super then the drywall forman and gave them 24 hrs to work it out. I knew about where the boxes were as I made notes on the as builts. Drywall forman copped an attitude and super was wishy washy. We found the boxes with a 12lb hammer. Super fired, drywall co fired and back charged. Another time Drywall formam worked with us and we only had to fix two out of place holes. If you play nice I play nice,if not I CYA and they lose. Now I carry a dig camera and take lots of pics. Rod

A stacker...
[img]http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?6666660Zjcf6lVs6EVs666XdTc7rrrrQ-[/img]

This one is 3M, but others make them too.
They hold snug enough for being fairly undisturbed in a wall, but loose enough that a good tug will pull a cable free of one if set up to do so.

Like the job I was on today, a "Designer" is running it. (Notorious for frequent changes ...) So I had a guy staple to about a foot from the box, then add a small loop of slack above or below, then into a stacker for the final support of the <12" of cable that would continue to the boxes.

I also use these boxes for just about everything.... (Several local supply houses have them as the same price as a regular nail-on.)

The screw on the side allows the box to be adjusted for depth, but also allows the box to be removed as well. So you can easily reach in the wall and pull up more wire too.

[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 05-11-2006).]

As for buried boxes, I take my own sweet time and trace the circuit with a toner, and poke a bunch of holes with a screwdriver to check. Then charge full rate as T&M as back charge.....

"I think its right here.... (Mash) Nope. Maybe here???? (mash) Nope."