Different Fish Tapes for different uses

[mobiledynamics]

Not a pro sparky, but curious for those in the field, what whats for what application. I have the usual carbon and SS steel for the usual fare, and the Ideal Zoom - nylon jacketed braided SS, which I prefer to use when fishing through pipe.

 

[Jlarson]

I use a regular steel tape for most stuff, stainless if I'm pulling through old underground that most likely has water in it and a fiberglass tape for aluminum rigid.

 

[Mustang51js]

It depends on the situation, no insulation in walls I use a chain or metal snake,if I go up the vent pipe or more than one story I use the fiber fish. In pipe I use the metal snake

 

[Mustang51js]

I like the jack chain method when I snake into a switch box from the attic,small hole in the box with a hole drilled above and usually the chain drops right into the switch box

 

[ishiboo]

I just bought the Klein 250', as I had about a 220' pull to do. Worked well. Wish I knew there was stainless - it's already rusty.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I use what ever is at disposal,If its a bunch of new underground work in plastic Ill usually use my shop vac to **** string through it for pulling.
For emt I normally just use my old metal fishtape,or try and blow a mouse through it with string on an empty pipe.

 

[mobiledynamics]

For those chiming in, how do those greenlee conduit pistons work if you don't have their dedicated blower....that has the inline port for a string. I'd be curious how do you guys use something similar.

 

[Mr_fixit]

3/16 or 1/4" Fish sticks for fishing insulated walls, or above ceilings, or above drywall, nylon sometimes for conduits with live wires, 1/4" Fiberglass for longer conduit runs, stainless or fiberglass for anything outside that might have water in it. Shop vac with a plastic bag for new outside conduit runs, or 1/2" fiberglass for 3-4" runs of 250' or longer. Or Drop a chain down for uninsulated walls. Or a combination of the above. And sometimes magnepull with a fish for insulated walls.

 

[Beemer533]

For those chiming in, how do those greenlee conduit pistons work if you don't have their dedicated blower....that has the inline port for a string. I'd be curious how do you guys use something similar.

I've had good luck with a shop vac and a piece of 1/2 EMT taped up as a nozzle. Also use the shopping bag trick or plastic bag frequently if I don't have a conduit piston handy.

 

[awdblazer]

always use fibreglass cause 90% of the time i am working on live circuits