The old way of running coax through attics vs how I do it now

I used to spend 20 minutes fishing coax through attics with just a glow rod and some tape. Always got tangled up in insulation and hit every nail plate in sight. Then about three years ago a buddy showed me using a magnet push stick with a guide head on it. Cuts my time down to maybe 5 or 6 minutes per run and I barely touch the insulation now. Has anyone else switched to that magnet method or still using the old rod and tape?

2 comments

2 Comments

david_hayes7d ago

Wait, are you using one of those Klein magnetic push sticks or something similar? I tried that method last year and honestly it was a game changer for me too, especially in those blown-in attics where you sink up to your knees. The old glow rod and tape trick always made me want to scream, fighting with insulation and snagging on every damn rafter. Now I just push the magnet stick through, tape the coax to the guide head, and pull it back smooth as butter. Only thing I watch out for is making sure the magnet is strong enough, a weak one will drop your cable and you're back to square one. I still keep a regular rod for tight spots but the magnet stick is my go-to now.

derek997d ago

Man, I was totally skeptical when my buddy first told me about the magnetic stick trick. I figured it was just another gimmick that'd end up in my junk drawer like half the other "game changer" tools I've bought. But after trying it on a rough blown-in attic job I finally got why people swear by this thing.