Help a noob with tools.

Shizelbs

So, apparently I didn't learn very much about tools or fixing the house when I was younger.

Here is what I need to do. I need to install three binding post plates. I am installing one with two sets of outlets that will connect to binding posts in the other side of the room where I will connect my rear speakers for my HT. I am planning on running wire through the crawl space under the floor.

In the spots for the rear speakers, I pre-drilled holes on the boards between the studs and the floor, exposing the crawl space, so that I can guide the speaker wire up there.

Anyways, what types of tools will I need for this project? What would be best to cut the drywall? Is there any easy to make mistakes that a noob would make that you can advise to avoid?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks.

m00npie

Which ever route you choose, be patient and don’t cut too much:eek:

Utility Knife
- Be sure you have a new blade to make the cut easier. 1st pass, to scribe the line you intend to cut, 3 or so more passes of medium pressure to get thru.

Drywall hand held saw
- I would recommend you pre-drilling a 1/4'' hole on your 4 corners of the square you intend to cut if you have never used the saw before. You can easily get carried away with these things. The saw has big teeth so a little pressure will make them very hungry. Drilling the holes, although will take more time, will enable you to start cutting easier rather than punching the saw thru the middle of your hole and cutting to the outside like I do.

Drywall Router
- Not recommended if you have never used one, you could make a real mess of things in hurry if you don't know what you’re doing but if you do, it can make things fast and easy.

By the way, are you planning on adding a box in the wall to pull the cables thru or are you just **** the binding post plates to the wall? Homey’s Depot or Lowes or any hardware store will sell junction boxes that can be fastened to the drywall without being fastened to the stud as they are during rough in.

Hope this helps!

m00npie

It look as if you have already drilled the holes. Do you have a fish tape to pull the speaker wire thru?

edbert

The best thing that I would recommend is a second pair of hands. Everything that Moonpie suggested is spot on, but that second pair of hands will make things go faster and easier. And you never know, they might be able to impart some knowledge that could come in handy while you are working.

Shizelbs

m00npie wrote:

It look as if you have already drilled the holes. Do you have a fish tape to pull the speaker wire thru?

No, not yet. I was planning on just using some string or twine.

Shizelbs

m00npie wrote:

By the way, are you planning on adding a box in the wall to pull the cables thru or are you just **** the binding post plates to the wall? Homey’s Depot or Lowes or any hardware store will sell junction boxes that can be fastened to the drywall without being fastened to the stud as they are during rough in.

Yes, I will be using the boxes with the ears that fold out and hold it in place.

I was planning on tracing with pencil the outline of the circumference of the box and then using a hand held dry wall saw to make the cut.

Either my wife or one of my neighbors will be providing the second set of hands.

Thanks for the help so far guys. I really appreciate it.

edbert

Alright, I just got back here and hopefully everything went well. I just got finished running my wires this past weekend and found something to make things super easy. String, nails and electrical tape. I found that the first couple of times that I tried to run the wire it would get stuck up in the wall. I took some string long enough to run from the top of the wall to the floor, taped a couple of nails together and then taped those to the string. Taped the other end of the string to the speaker wire and then put it in the wall. The nails should give just enough weight to pull the string all the way to the bottom. Stick the taped end of the speaker wire through to get it started, and then go pull it through. It should pull through like it was always there. Oh yeah, and it doesn't hurt to wrap some masking tape around the wires and write on them what they are for (right surround, etc.) so that you know what you are looking at after you pull it through the wall and don't have to guess.

polrbehr

edbert wrote:

Alright, I just got back here and hopefully everything went well. I just got finished running my wires this past weekend and found something to make things super easy. String, nails and electrical tape. I found that the first couple of times that I tried to run the wire it would get stuck up in the wall. I took some string long enough to run from the top of the wall to the floor, taped a couple of nails together and then taped those to the string. Taped the other end of the string to the speaker wire and then put it in the wall. The nails should give just enough weight to pull the string all the way to the bottom. Stick the taped end of the speaker wire through to get it started, and then go pull it through. It should pull through like it was always there. Oh yeah, and it doesn't hurt to wrap some masking tape around the wires and write on them what they are for (right surround, etc.) so that you know what you are looking at after you pull it through the wall and don't have to guess.

Experience is always a good teacher, no?!
Good idea, using simple stuff almost everyone will have around the house.
If you want to try something else, we used to use an old-style window sash
chain to pull wires through walls. I'm sure hardware stores still sell it. It's premise is simple. You drop the chain through the top of whatever wall you're running wires through (it's pretty heavy, and gravity should be all the assist you'll need). Then, take a fish tape (a coat hanger will usually work as well) with a hook bent into the end, and push it up and down until it catches one of the links on the chain (it will!). It may take several attempts. Then, slowly pull the chain to your location, and attach whatever wires you're going to pull, using the above described tape method. Oh, and make sure the end of the chain is tied off somehow, else you'll pull it all the way through (see first line of post! ) My .02 for the day.