Interesting wire routing problem...help?

[owdlvr]

I'm working on wiring up my shop, and have encountered a problem I'm not sure how to solve. The shop is built with 6x6 posts supporting the main beams, and you can find 6x6 posts at each corner of the shop, and two spaced out in each wall. There are 2x4 studs, spaced out on 24" centres. 2x4 studs are attached to the 6x6 posts. Everything is done so that the "outside" edge of the studs are flush with the outside edge of the 6x6's. The exterior wall sheathing is already on the building, as is the exterior siding. Essentially the shop is built so that once the interior wall paneling (drywall or other) is affixed, the main posts and beams will still be visible.

On the straight sections of wall, running the electrical is easy. I simply had to go and buy a long auger bit, and drill right through each 6x6 post (and the 2x4 attached on either side). My problem is the corners. How do I drill to run the wiring?

• Can't drill through the post on a 45deg angle, I cannot position the drill in anyway to make it happen, without pulling off the outside siding and sheathing.
• Can't drill a hole from either side, and hope to somehow fish the wire through a 90deg bend...right?
• Can't go up and over through the ceiling joists, as supporting post meets a roof beam and the problem is exactly the same, different only in geometry.
• Would *prefer* to not have wiring or conduit visible, as I'd have to do this in 4 places.

If it matters, I'm going to need to pass multiple runs of 12/2 through the posts for lights and receptacles, and also wiring for 240v lathe, compressor, hoist and more (wire size not yet determined).

This is my first time wiring anything household or shop, so I'm hoping there is a relatively "oh yeah, you just do ____" type of solution I don't know about?

-Dave

*note: just realized my fat fingers called the studs 2x5's on the diagram, not that it matters...but they are 2x4's.

 

[Norcal]

Drilling through posts is something I avoid at all costs, going up & over, or if the slab has not been poured routing conduit around the posts is another method.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Run the wiring across the inner corner of the post is one option. Once done, make a board or panel with 45 degree cuts on each side of it's long edges. Screw this panel into the corner to create a corner chase and also to make the post disappear.

 

[Wirepuller]

Drill 2 intersecting holes and snake it through with a piece of copper. We avoid them when we can but sometimes it happens.


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[MEngineer]

Problem solved

 

[CJ7VFR]

Drilling through posts is something I avoid at all costs, going up & over....

Up and over is how they ran the wire in my dads garage, which is a pole barn, like the one the OP seems to have from his description.

It will take more wire to run everything up around the ceiling rafters/trusses, and then dropping the wire down to where you want it. But you won't have to drill holes in structural members (6x6's) and not compromise their integrity. And you will not have to drill a bunch of holes in every piece of the 2x4 wall framing either.

In my dads case, they ran everything up in the attic space created by the trusses, and then drilled the smallest holes needed in the top plate of each wall to pass the wiring down to where switches and receptacles are located.

Jim

 

[owdlvr]

Not a pole barn. But the way this particular structure is built, there is no attic, and the beams all mean "up and over" isn't possible. Opted to build some wooden 'conduit' structures at each corner, and not worry about it too much further. It's a garage/shop, not a chapel (as much as I might disagree at times!).

Thanks for the help everyone!

Will post photos of the solution once they're up with wire.

-Dave

 

[alien]

Problem solved

Don't like it! The hole is too close to the outside of the post. A sheathing and or siding nail could hit that wire!

 

[alien]

Drill 2 intersecting holes and snake it through with a piece of copper.

I've been doing it like this for years, easy and puts the hole and wire in the center of the post which is safer regarding nails. And it doesn't hurt the integrity of the post. The middle 1/3 of a post or beam can be drilled without weakening it.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Run the wiring across the inner corner of the post is one option. Once done, make a board or panel with 45 degree cuts on each side of it's long edges. Screw this panel into the corner to create a corner chase and also to make the post disappear.

I like this idea. I've had to do this once before for a similar scenario. If it was one hole, I'd think about drilling, but OP mentioned several wires so the corner chase would be quickest and easiest, in my opinion.

 

[owdlvr]

Built three units to bridge the corners and (hopefully) not look too out of place. One corner has six 14/2 wires, another corner has three 14/2 wires and the last corner has one. Haven't started to run wires for the compressor or lathe yet, so needless to say drilling wasn't going to work.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Built three units to bridge the corners and (hopefully) not look too out of place. One corner has six 14/2 wires, another corner has three 14/2 wires and the last corner has one. Haven't started to run wires for the compressor or lathe yet, so needless to say drilling wasn't going to work.

Take some pictures of the bridge units you made and post them up! Sounds like a cool idea.

One other option you could always do (though it would be after the fact) is to use surface mount Wiremold products to run your wiring in once the wall board is up.

Besides the straight pieces, Wiremold comes with pieces that are made to house wiring going into corners and making 90 degree bends around beams and whatnot.

It is not as nice looking as putting the wires behind the walls, or using a nice wooden chase as OccupantRJ suggested, but it could be an alternative that might supply a solution for some of your issues.

Jim

 

[owdlvr]

So here's my solution for passing wires around the corner. It allowed me to run a LOT of wires around the first corner, this particular corner is the last one in the shop so only two wires are running through it.

I'll cut a piece of paneling to tack over the top, and they should blend it well enough.

-Dave

 

[rharman]

That looks like a pretty clean solution.

 

[ssdave]

If you only have one or two wires to run, a spade bit can drill a curved hole. Drill half from each side, and curve each one, and it's easy to pull the wire through. Or, as suggested before, drill two intersecting holes, and then chisel or drill out the sharp intersecting corner, and you can easily pull wires through. It helps to angle each hole as much as you can within the limitations of the outside sheathing/siding.

 

[owdlvr]

Yeah, but my problem was running 10x 14/3, 1x 10/3, 1x 8/3, speaker wires and thermostat wires...drilling the post wasn't going to work!

 

[Mwalke64]

Just think you have a great place to attach some speakers now. It will look intentional.

 

[jdieter]

Mount speakers, TV's, alarm sensors, etc. on your nifty corner chases and they disappear.