ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Business Related Discussion Working alone?

Thought I would open a thread for those of us who work by themselves, at least most of the time, to share how we have come up with ways to do our jobs without that extra pair of hands to help. Maybe it is a method to doing the work, maybe it is a tool, or maybe just a different approach to the job. I think that we can help each other out with this thread. I know it sounds like the tips and tricks section, but I think there are unique ways that we do our work that can benefit all. What do ya'll think? Worth the post?

I'll start.....
An open ladder is great at holding rolls of THHN mounted on 1/2" EMT, pays out as You pull the jet line !!

I use those segmented fiberglass rods, you know the kind you can screw together, for fishing down walls with insulation or no insulation. They are also helpful when going across a lay-in ceiling or attic. When I first bought them, I thought they were pretty pricey but they have saved me a lot of wasted time trying to get a fish tape down the wall. I also use them when I am fishing wire thru liquidtite. Hope this was helpful to someone.

[This message has been edited by WhiteRook (edited 05-31-2005).]

[This message has been edited by WhiteRook (edited 05-31-2005).]

+1 for the ladder-as-wire-reeler idea. Done it several times. Don't forget to throw a couple of fittings on the end of the conduit so it doesn't accidentally roll itself off the braces.

The line voltage circuit tracers ("Breaker finders") are great when you're trying to ID the D/C for the circuit you're working on. Don't forget, even if your detector is a little vague between 2 different breakers - the trace tone will disappear when you kill the right one! . (Don't ask)

Also remember - C-clamps are your friends... especially when installing conduit horizontally by yourself. You can clamp to the joist / truss, and run the stick through the clamp... no more trying to line up a hanger 8' away, or up the ladder...down the ladder three times for one run.

-1 for the ladder/reel act

I use a milk crate and load 3 reels (up to #10 *1)in it...you can always add crates/reels...clean-up is easy - just pick up the crate and 1 less ladder to hump.

*1 - after the 10's, the ladder act is a cheap alternative.

Ditto on the fiberglass fish sticks for residential rework. I hardly use a fish tape anymore - have saved dozens of hours in ceilings, attics, and walls. They also make a glow in the dark type, work great for locating partitions in the attic.

Lube the wires for even smaller pulles in pipe.

Well I thought this post would get some interesting inputs, but I guess not. Seems as if you are not asking a question about how to figure your overtime charges or service call charges it isn't worthy...oh well, sorry for the rant, but I really thought that with all the one man shops out there that we would have some interesting ways of doing things...obla di obla da...life goes on.

I would like to thank the guys that did respond. The milk crates are excellent for a wire rack and I really had not thought of the C-clamps...thanks for your input!!

Geez boo hoo.