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austinpm1
10-15-03, 02:08 PM
i posted this in the electrical forum too so forgive me if you're reading this twice...
I’m trying to run speaker wiring for a sound system in my home but I’ve run into an obstacle, literally. The wire I’m running behind drywall from the basement into the first floor family room is blocked by what at least feels to be a cross-member between 2 studs. The cross member feels like it’s around 4 feet up from the floor and I need to set the speaker around 6’ up on the drywall. I’ve put together a sketch of what I think is happening inside the drywall cavity.
http://www.pataustin.com/speakerwiring1.gif
So what does one do in a situation like this?
I was thinking it over while I was sketching this out, ‘why not just come in from the top (attic) and not have to deal with the cross stud at all?’ but off hand I can’t think of another route for getting the wiring up into the attic to begin with…
Any thoughts?
Has anyone ever brought the wire out of the wall below the cross-member, cut a channel in the surface of the drywall to lay the wire into and cut another hole above the cross member to send the wire back underneath the drywall only to come out a 2nd time at the mounting location for the speaker? of course, that would involve a fair amount of drywall repair/painting afterward...
That’s all I came up with but it seems a little complicated (ie. there must be a simpler approach to this…)
Thanks in advance
Pat
I’m trying to run speaker wiring for a sound system in my home but I’ve run into an obstacle, literally. The wire I’m running behind drywall from the basement into the first floor family room is blocked by what at least feels to be a cross-member between 2 studs. The cross member feels like it’s around 4 feet up from the floor and I need to set the speaker around 6’ up on the drywall. I’ve put together a sketch of what I think is happening inside the drywall cavity.
http://www.pataustin.com/speakerwiring1.gif
So what does one do in a situation like this?
I was thinking it over while I was sketching this out, ‘why not just come in from the top (attic) and not have to deal with the cross stud at all?’ but off hand I can’t think of another route for getting the wiring up into the attic to begin with…
Any thoughts?
Has anyone ever brought the wire out of the wall below the cross-member, cut a channel in the surface of the drywall to lay the wire into and cut another hole above the cross member to send the wire back underneath the drywall only to come out a 2nd time at the mounting location for the speaker? of course, that would involve a fair amount of drywall repair/painting afterward...
That’s all I came up with but it seems a little complicated (ie. there must be a simpler approach to this…)
Thanks in advance
Pat
Jonny Street
10-18-03, 10:00 PM
You need to use a Flex-Bit, it's a drill bit 5' long that fits a standard drill. They come in various sizes and you can even get an extension to add more length.
You'll want to cut an opening in your wall where you plan on placing your speaker. Stick the flex bit in the opening, put the handle on the bit and start drilling. Do not make the opening larger than your wallplate.
The bit has a threaded point so it will start to pull itself through, it also has a hole in it. When you get through what's blocking you, attach a string through the hole and when you pull the bit out you'll have your pull string for your wire.
BE CAREFULL!!!! Make sure there are NO Electrical wires, including cable & phone nor any heating or water pipes in the wall you're working in.
Good Luck, jonny
You'll want to cut an opening in your wall where you plan on placing your speaker. Stick the flex bit in the opening, put the handle on the bit and start drilling. Do not make the opening larger than your wallplate.
The bit has a threaded point so it will start to pull itself through, it also has a hole in it. When you get through what's blocking you, attach a string through the hole and when you pull the bit out you'll have your pull string for your wire.
BE CAREFULL!!!! Make sure there are NO Electrical wires, including cable & phone nor any heating or water pipes in the wall you're working in.
Good Luck, jonny