Electrical: Drilling around obstruction

[tearapin]

I am adding an extra outlet. I have to traverse tow vertical studs. Between the two studs (unfortunately) is my air conditioner line. The line that carries the Freon I think. Copper tubing and another thicker line wrapped in padding.

Anyway, obviously I do not want to puncture that when drilling the stud. I am thinking of using a piece of conduit to snake the drill bit down. So in essence I would be drilling inside the conduit. I am only running Romex. The conduit would be just for the drilling part.

However, anyone have a better trick?

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

Can't think of a better solution offhand, but here's a safety tip: Be sure to wear heavy, leather gloves and a full face shield while doing the work. Refrigerant escaping from a decent sized leak can instantly freeze skin, eyeballs, etc. before you can react and pull away. One nick in the line could really ruin your day.

 

[aandpdan]

I'd cut the drywall and then patch it. I'm not risking puncturing a refrigerant line.

 

[-Brent-]

Is this something you're drilling blind? If exposed I don't see any issues since you can see where your drill is going.

That said, I would open up the wall and patch it when you're done. It's easier and cheaper than dealing with broken AC lines.

 

[tearapin]

Is this something you're drilling blind? If exposed I don't see any issues since you can see where your drill is going.

That said, I would open up the wall and patch it when you're done. It's easier and cheaper than dealing with broken AC lines.

I think I can reach back there and feel the AC line. Then place the pipe and drill through the pipe.

 

[KMdef9]

Can you post a picture of your work area?

 

[tearapin]

Can you post a picture of your work area?

I could but I do not see how that would help. It is a blank piece of drywall.

It goes like this

switchbox...stud...air conditioner line...stud...additional added outlet.

 

[Cobra5150]

Google Versibit.
You can get a placement tool to help control it

 

[-Brent-]

Just cut the drywall, drill, run wire and patch (you might have to put a couple wood strips for backers to mount the patch, depending how/where you cut it). Seriously, it's not a big project doing it the right way.

 

[joe_padavano]

Just cut the drywall, drill, run wire and patch (you might have to put a couple wood strips for backers to mount the patch, depending how/where you cut it). Seriously, it's not a big project doing it the right way.

^^^THIS!!

You can also use these clips to hold the patch in place:

 

[Kevin54]

Cut the drywall stud to stud and high enough to work comfortably. IIRC, Lowes sells 2'x2' pieces of drywall in case you would happen to ruin the piece you cut out. Cutting it out would be by far the easiest to do to insure you don't tear up a Freon line.

 

[tearapin]

Cutting it is fine except the drywall is not painted and the patch would look like poop. But I see your points. I may go that way if I cannot get my arm in the to positively feel where the pipe and bit are going.

One simple outlet, a major PITA.

 

[rieferman]

If it's not painted now why would you care about how he patch looks?

 

[wasfuzz]

Cutting it is fine except the drywall is not painted and the patch would look like poop. But I see your points. I may go that way if I cannot get my arm in the to positively feel where the pipe and bit are going.

One simple outlet, a major PITA.

This would give you a reason to paint it and finish it right!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Is this in a house or garage? Attic above or basement below the wire could be run to and then back up/down the stud bay to the new outlet?