Fish tape for FMC conduit

[Doubled33]

I have a 3/4 run of FMC about 65’ long. The run is pretty straight and flat with only a few gentle bends in it.

It runs through an attic that is not really accessible.

There is an EMT 90 at each end with a FMC to EMT compression fitting.

I have an Ideal Fish Tape that is 125’ with a factory bent end on it that looks like half of an arrow head.

I tried both ends, but can’t get the tape through the pipe. It stops somewhere around the 50’ to 60’ mark.

Is there a better fish tape set up I can use?

Thanks

 

[Jim greengo]

I have a 3/4 run of FMC about 65’ long. The run is pretty straight and flat with only a few gentle bends in it.

It runs through an attic that is not really accessible.

There is an EMT 90 at each end with a FMC to EMT compression fitting.

I have an Ideal Fish Tape that is 125’ with a factory bent end on it that looks like half of an arrow head.

I tried both ends, but can’t get the tape through the pipe. It stops somewhere around the 50’ to 60’ mark.

Is there a better fish tape set up I can use?

Thanks

Picture?
Are you talking about greenfield/flex?

 

[mike93lx]

**** through a plastic bag tied to mason line with your shop vac. Then pull through a pull rope

 

[Dig Doug]

You can **** it like said above or blow it w/ air compressor

vac / **** works best, tie a plastic bag on a string - the bag needs to not plug the pipe and yet big enough to grab onto the suction…

 

[Doubled33]

Picture?
Are you talking about greenfield/flex?

Grabbed some Internet pics as I am away from the house.

I should add that I have 2 parallel runs and both have the same issue. This why I am thinking a tool issue over an Install issue.

 

[Jim greengo]

Can you disconnect the greenfield from conduit,then fish it through there separately?
Then reconnect once the wire is through the greenfield?

 

[Doubled33]

You can **** it like said above or blow it w/ air compressor

vac / **** works best, tie a plastic bag on a string - the bag needs to not plug the pipe and yet big enough to grab onto the suction…

Will try this one. Did not think of sucking and good info on bag size.

Thanks

 

[mike93lx]

Will try this one. Did not think of sucking and good info on bag size.

Thanks

Yeah, I said bag but should have said piece of bag. The lightweight ones you get at the grocery store. It'll fly through if the string can unspool

 

[Doubled33]

Can you disconnect the greenfield from conduit,then fish it through there separately?
Then reconnect once the wire is through the greenfield?

Possibly on one end. I will also give this a try.

The other end is connected to a 3’ long gutter that was installed with all 90’s stubbed out first so that end will not disconnect easily.

 

[Jim greengo]

Picture?

 

[23ford]

Take a foam sponge and tie a string onto it and **** it through or you can try a nylon fish tape

 

[alfredeneuman]

Can you disconnect the greenfield from conduit,then fish it through there separately?
Then reconnect once the wire is through the greenfield?

That's against the Code. The conduit is to be installed completely before the wire from box to panel, box to box, etc.

 

[Jim greengo]

Ok,then put a bunch of pull boxes in line with the green field if it makes you happy. Hahaha.
If it passes a rough in inspection and a final that's all that matters,some times you have to do what you've got to do to get things done.

 

[Jim greengo]

Take a foam sponge and tie a string onto it and **** it through or you can try a nylon fish tape

That usually doesn't work good with greenfield.

 

[Bert_]

Make sure your flex is pulled halfway tight. 65' of flex isn't going to be great no matter what. If you get it most of the way push another fish tape from the other end, hook the first one and finish pulling it through.

I wouldn't hold my breath on trying to **** a string. Flex is just a spiral of metal, not going to hold air.

 

[Jim greengo]

You might be able to get somebody up there to shake/bang on the gf where it's hanging up while you work the fishtape,if it's accessible of course.
That's why pictures help.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

**** through a plastic bag tied to mason line with your shop vac. Then pull through a pull rope

ummm how you gonna get enough suction on FMC? it has so many air gaps in the spiraling...

 

[sparky 1971]

Flex in lengths over 50 or so feet can be a *******. I've done the take it apart and put it back together after the wire is in, I know it's a code violation, but there are times when I don't give a flyin' eff. If you have help, the easiest I've found is to have someone shake it while pushing on the fish tape.

This probably won't help with this, more in the future, but cut the end off of the fish tape. About 1-1/2" from the end, heat it up cherry red and bend a new loop in it. Dip it in water to cool it down and tape the gap shut.

 

[Norcal]

Flex in lengths over 50 or so feet can be a *******. I've done the take it apart and put it back together after the wire is in, I know it's a code violation, but there are times when I don't give a flyin' eff. If you have help, the easiest I've found is to have someone shake it while pushing on the fish tape.

This probably won't help with this, more in the future, but cut the end off of the fish tape. About 1-1/2" from the end, heat it up cherry red and bend a new loop in it. Dip it in water to cool it down and tape the gap shut.

The difficulty of fishing flex is why I do not like ENT "smurf tube" either, but vacuum fishing is what got some wire pulled in some Greenfield that a fish tape would not go through.

 

[Doubled33]

Flex in lengths over 50 or so feet can be a *******. I've done the take it apart and put it back together after the wire is in, I know it's a code violation, but there are times when I don't give a flyin' eff. If you have help, the easiest I've found is to have someone shake it while pushing on the fish tape.

This probably won't help with this, more in the future, but cut the end off of the fish tape. About 1-1/2" from the end, heat it up cherry red and bend a new loop in it. Dip it in water to cool it down and tape the gap shut.

Thanks. After dealing with this I can only imagine what pulling through maxcell innerduct is like. No thanks.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

That's against the Code. The conduit is to be installed completely before the wire from box to panel, box to box, etc.

There's code, and then there's reality. How would you fish some greenfield with two 90º connectors on it box-to-box.

 

[grounded-b]

Flex which is not stretched tight and strapped down while tight is a bear to push the fishtape through. Reason being is that the flex wants to move with the head of the fishtape. Sucking or blowing a baggie tied to mason's twine is the way to go.

 

[alfredeneuman]

There's code, and then there's reality. How would you fish some greenfield with two 90º connectors on it box-to-box.

It depends on the type of 90s they are.
One type has removable covers and is made of cast zinc (slang name is a "Jake fitting"). The other has a sheet metal cover that holds the conduit in.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

It depends on the type of 90s they are.
One type has removable covers and is made of cast zinc. The other has a sheet metal cover that holds the conduit in.

I'm aware of that. My counter-argument is that fully assembled raceway of 90-flex-90 is impossible or nearly impossible to fish and pull wire in, in compliance with the code that was quoted.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The ones with the removable covers leave the conduit run complete from box to box.

 

[nadogail]

Back in the day before retirement I had a very flexible tape that was like a "Golden Worm". If I recall correctly, it was sold by Ideal.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

The ones with the removable covers leave the conduit run complete from box to box.

Can you provide an example of the ones you are talking about? Every flex 90 I've seen has a removable cover. The larger sizes have an additional clamp that holds the flex separately, but I doubt there is a single person on the planet that can leave 3.5" flex clamped and then fold the 500s into 90.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Can you provide an example of the ones you are talking about?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Regal-9672-90-Degree-1-2-Flex-Connector-Screw-In-25-Pack/186429261

 

[Jim greengo]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Regal-9672-90-Degree-1-2-Flex-Connector-Screw-In-25-Pack/186429261

I've never seen 1 of those,but Walmart of all places lists them? Hahaha

 

[alfredeneuman]

I doubt there is a single person on the planet that can leave 3.5" flex clamped and then fold the 500s into 90.

Those I linked to are only available up to 1".
A 3-1/2" 90 degree flex connector has the bending radius required for 500s
Have you heard of a "Mogul LB"?

 

[Norcal]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Regal-9672-90-Degree-1-2-Flex-Connector-Screw-In-25-Pack/186429261

I thought Regal Mfg. bit the dust, but Bridgeport owns the rights to them & Efcor fittings also.

 

[alfredeneuman]

https://www.rexelusa.com/p/558335/b...or-1-2-90-type-screw-in-zinc-die-cast-/92-dc2

 

[wyliesdiesels]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Regal-9672-90-Degree-1-2-Flex-Connector-Screw-In-25-Pack/186429261

wow cool never seen one of those in the wild!!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I've never seen 1 of those,but Walmart of all places lists them? Hahaha

walmart lists all kinds of **** on their website that they dont actually intend to ever sell.

 

[mike93lx]

walmart lists all kinds of **** on their website that they dont actually intend to ever sell.

They're also operating a marketplace, so a lot of the stuff on their site is sold by third parties

 

[rabidsquirrel]

I've never seen 1 of those,but Walmart of all places lists them? Hahaha

Ditto. I'd expect that fitting to be about $5 each, not about $1.

Those I linked to are only available up to 1".
A 3-1/2" 90 degree flex connector has the bending radius required for 500s
Have you heard of a "Mogul LB"?

Yes, I understand that the connector is rated for that radius. I'm saying that with the 90 on whatever piece of equipment and the flex securely clamped onto the 90, zero, or nearly zero people will be able to get all the conductors in without undoing the flex.

Yes, I've seen a Mogul LB. Usually much more expensive.

 

[mark flucke]

Use a fiberglass fish tape- I used one for years on Target store remodels on 3rd shift- also about your only hope with smurf tube- , sometimes folding over a zip tie and creating a loop in front of the fish tape head (wrap the ends of the zip tie to the fish tape end with 33-DO NOT pull the wire in with the zip tie leader! -my apprentice did this once-Bad Spencer!- he learned

 

[alfredeneuman]

I had a 50' "Slippery Snake" (no longer made) it was made of 1/4" nylon, with a 6" spring leader on one end and an eye on the other. It was the best thing I ever used for flex (but couldn't be used for a 65' pull like the OP has).

 

[BreeStephany]

As general practice, for FMC, it is easiest to put the conductors into the conduit and then install the conduit, but generally only do this for short runs. When long runs are necessary, I just generally try to avoid FMC and stick to EMT for runs of any kind significant of length because fishing wire in can be a huge pain once the conduit is installed and secured.

Given your installation, I would suggest what others have suggested with sucking in a string line with a baggy (a corner of a grocery bag work GREAT!) and then use the string line to pull your conductors.

Running metal fishtapes can be a huge pain as the leader tends to bind up inside of the FMC. I have had some luck with a fiberglass fishtape, but most of the time look at is pure luck type success.

As a bit of a tip, once you do get a fishtape or pull string through, pull in a spare pull string with your conductors just in case you need to pull any additional conductors into the conduit in the future.

Just my two cents!

 

[alfredeneuman]

As general practice, for FMC, it is easiest to put the conductors into the conduit and then install the conduit

"Flex Flinging", as I call it is, prohibited. (I guess you didn't read the rest of the thread)