Fish Tapes

[scarrylarry]

It's been a long time away from this site and lots has changed . Life happens as we all know, been through a few issues buy now on the better side of things .
So I'm back here with a tool question that I will put here as not sure where it would get the most attention . If you fellas have a recommendation to move it let me know where to post it.

I just bought a endoscope . It's a Depstech ds 520 with 3 camera lenses 50 foot cable . I'm invested in Milwaukee cordless tools but just could not justify the price of their inspection cameras .
The camera gives a great picture and only a fraction of the cost of the Milwaukee ! I want to use it to inspect my perimeter drainage but the cable is too pliable .
What sort of Fish Tape would recommend to attach it to ? A Metal one or Fiberglass ? It would need to be strong enough to push through the Big O corrugated pipe but flexable enough to make it around corners . What about those nylon or fiberglass rods that you can screw together ?
If you can pass on some ideas I would appreciate it !
Thanks !
ScarryLarry

 

[LXCam]

You obviously know the radius is going to be your biggest problem with those rods. They're flexible but only so much. And a regular fishtape in larger corrugated pipe will at some point get caught in a groove. I'd suggest a smaller fiberglass 3/16" rodder. Those will still handle smaller radius bends but stay stiff enough for larger corrugated tubing.

 

[scarrylarry]

LXCam Could you explain what a rodder is ?
Thank You

 

[LXCam]

LXCam Could you explain what a rodder is ?
Thank You

It's a heavy duty fish tape. In the electrical trades they're used for larger conduit because they won't bunch up like a typical metal tape will.

https://www.amazon.com/fiberglass-rodder/s?k=fiberglass+rodder&tag=atomicindus08-20

So after finding that link I decided to see if I could identify what I consider a best fit but came upon this kit:

Amazon.com

I have no idea how flexible it is or the quality but for $20, I'd give it a try. I have a couple of these types for fishing but they are made by Klein and just don't bend enough to do what I think you are looking for.

 

[RTM]

12" minimum bend radius from on in the first link.

 

[LXCam]

12" minimum bend radius from on in the first link.

That was just a general link to show him what I was talking about. I have a 3/16" one that works fine in smaller radiuses such as 3/4" emt bend but works decent in larger conduit (4") without bunching up. Unfortunately the one's I have ain't cheap.

This is the 3/16" one: https://www.zoro.com/greenlee-fiberglass-fish-tape-200-ft-x316in-542-200/i/G3713057/

Just thought about something, you could just buy a replacement unit like this:
https://www.zoro.com/greenlee-replacement-nylon-tape-50ft-no-case-rn536-50/i/G0647930/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping feed&utm_content=free google shopping clicks&campaignid=21581218743&productid=G0647930&v=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0rW6BhAcEiwAQH28IrQUKmO_GO8BMnfH33VG5c2STQOtMOEmh4xMAOOFsfaytiwMN0K9_RoC-sIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[WildBill]

I have an inexpensive metal one and I bent a 1/2" loop on the end of it. It goes around corners pretty nice with the round loop, always got caught on corrugated stuff before I did that. I taped a borescope just behind the loop and made it about 25ft through all kinds of bends and roots in a corrugated gutter drain pipe recently. My coworker somehow affixed a 1/2" bearing on his, said it never gets stuck now.

 

[RTM]

12" minimum bend radius from on in the first link.

That was just a general link to show him what I was talking about. I have a 3/16" one that works fine in smaller radiuses such as 3/4" emt bend but works decent in larger conduit (4") without bunching up.

I was thinking 12" was pretty good, but still didn't think it would work in corrugated

have an inexpensive metal one and I bent a 1/2" loop on the end of it. It goes around corners pretty nice with the round loop, always got caught on corrugated stuff before I did that

This is a great. Idea. I was thinking that a sewer snake would work well too My pro plumber had one with a light bulb shape head on it. Fashion something shaped like a nose cone that your camera can peek through and away you go.

 

[scarrylarry]

Firstly thanks so much LXCcam !!

I'm not sure if I gave the size of the Big O that's what we call it up here in Canada also know as corrugated pipe .
It's 4inch diameter .

It would be pretty smooth sailing until I get to a 90 degree turn . So rigid enough to push along in the pipe but enough flexabiilty to make a turn in the pipe .

I don't want to tell you fellas a whole story unless you want to hear it . I will just say that it was a real nightmare flushing the drainage around the foundation , my neighbour helped me . We did this to see if it will rectify the damp /wet large patches in the crawlspace . There was a lot of silt / mud debris in there and I had paid to have it done 2 years ago . They did a piss poor job !
Now I want to look around in the pipe and make sure it's clear and does not have a dip in it .

 

[scarrylarry]

I was thinking 12" was pretty good, but still didn't think it would work in corrugated


This is a great. Idea. I was thinking that a sewer snake would work well too My pro plumber had one with a light bulb shape head on it. Fashion something shaped like a nose cone that your camera can peek through and away you go.

Thanks RTM . Man what a dummy I am . I just thought of something . I will take the drain cleaning hose that I used with the Jetter end on it and fix the camera cable to it with Zip ties or tape and send the camera down that way . Man how did I not think of that !!!! Sheesh

 

[scarrylarry]

That's a good idea too Wild Bill !

 

[scarrylarry]

Firstly thanks so much LXCcam !!

I'm not sure if I gave the size of the Big O that's what we call it up here in Canada also know as corrugated pipe .
It's 4inch diameter .

It would be pretty smooth sailing until I get to a 90 degree turn . So rigid enough to push along in the pipe but enough flexabiilty to make a turn in the pipe .

I don't want to tell you fellas a whole story unless you want to hear it . I will just say that it was a real nightmare flushing the drainage around the foundation , my neighbour helped me . We did this to see if it will rectify the damp /wet large patches in the crawlspace . There was a lot of silt / mud debris in there and I had paid to have it done 2 years ago . They did a piss poor jo

 

[scarrylarry]

So I put the camera cable on to the small diameter pressure washer Jetter hose its fairly rigid but maybe not rigid enough . So I'm thinking a fiberglass tape . Something that will not spin around in the drain pipe as its a bit confusing at what angle the camera is at and that's just with the view straight ahead . There are 3 camera lenses on the camera probe , straight ahead and one to each side .
So maybe the one LXCam linked for $20.00 .
I think it was this one

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Z9W6PR4...?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk&th=1

 

[scarrylarry]

What would you think of this from Ideal

product

www.idealind.com

 

[LXCam]

What would you think of this from Ideal

product

www.idealind.com

That one is very flexible, I wouldn't suggest it. Ya I know its 3/16" like I suggested but I have a few of those and it won't do what you want.

 

[scarrylarry]

LXCam
So are you still thinking this would be worth a shot ?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Z9W6PR4/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk&th=1

 

[LXCam]

LXCam
So are you still thinking this would be worth a shot ?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Z9W6PR4/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk&th=1

For that price I’d certainly give it a try. It looks like it’s rigid enough to do what you want.

 

[scarrylarry]

Thank You LXCam !
You look at the reviews and some are saying its plastic and coils on itself not for pushing . I thought it was fiberglass. who the heck do you believe. LOL !
scarrylarry