Wiring Ethernet from Ceiling

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StackofWaffles

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#290389 8-Nov-2021 16:22

Hey all. I'm planning to wire those house up in CAT6 and trying to come up with a wiring plan. I'd like to get the cables into the attic then dropping down into the walls to the level where power outlets are.

The hard part is getting through the dwangs. I've seen a few threads that the only options are to either cut into the wall or to get extension bits. I'm opting for the extension route as I'm not keen on cutting open the wall.

I haven't been able to find any drill bits long enough or extension bits, hoping someone would be able to suggest where I could get them, preferably locally in Auckland if possible.

Thanks in advance!

SATTV

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#2809443 8-Nov-2021 16:46

Something like this will do the job nicely.

https://www.cabac.co.nz/p/tools-and-equipment/screwdriver-drill-bits/drill-bits/p971580

I have not used this one but something similar.

I still have one or two extensions and drills hidden in my walls :-)

in my case it was easier to go from the bottom up, the electrical I did from the top down.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

gregmcc

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#2809445 8-Nov-2021 16:52

Irwin tools have 500mm(?) locking extension bits, the drill bit will have to fit these to work (I usually use spade bits on these). The draw back is that they can become detached in the wall when you pull them back up.

Or you can buy a proper set of extension bits that use the auger style bits, again there are a couple of different sized drill shanks and you must get the correct one for the set, draw back here is you need a GOOD drill as been an auger bit it requires a fair bit of torque to drive thru the wood.

There is also the risk of the drill coming out the wall the further down you drill, for someone that hasn't done this before it can be difficult to get right.

You can buy both from most electrical wholesalers, hardware stores should also stock something similar.

https://www.google.com/search?channel=trow5&client=firefox-b-d&q=irwin+extension+bits

wellygary

8312 posts

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#2809454 8-Nov-2021 17:07

Drilling existing walls is a PITA... and running cables without having to take off the Gib is more of an art than a science.

Look for work arounds even if it increases your cable run lengths,

Skirting board are pretty easy to remove and refit, so running cable along the foot of a wall is not too hard,

Then look at things like light switches to give you access to drill the middle dwangs without hugely long bits,

richms

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#2809455 8-Nov-2021 17:12

If you have closets or pantries you can come down inside those if you are not wanting to open the wall up. IMO doing that and doing it properly and getting the outlets where you want it is not too much of an effort if you have many on the go at the same time. Use a large holesaw to open the wall up so you have no corners of gib for the paper to lift up from, one above each nog and you can easily use some plus 4 and the disc from the holesaw to patch the hole, and then skim with the topcoat stuff to fill the middle hole in the disc and smooth it out. Repaint and noone will know it happened.

Richard rich.ms

mdooher

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#2809463 8-Nov-2021 17:26

Yep electrical wholesalers have them. The secret is to drill two or even three holes in the top plate.

you put the drill bit down one, shine the torch down one, and look down the third.

You must ensure the drill goes through the exact centre of the first dwang. Then the shaft of the extension bit must line up EXACTLY in the centre of the hole you just created. you may have a third dwang depending on stud height.

If you get this right you can even get all the way under the house ... although generally I would drill the bottom plate from below.

If you find the drill dragging on something, stop. You might have got unlucky and hit a pipe or diagonal brace.

Oh and if you drill the first hole and strike batts... give up. Don't even think about drilling though them. Imagine a very powerful candy floss machine in your wall.

And for a funny story...

I once wondered why this particular wall had so many dwangs. I found out after I had run the cable and the lady of the house opened the bathroom cabinet. 😬

Fortunately she was happy for me to put a new one over the old inbuilt wooden one.

Matthew

gregmcc

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#2809471 8-Nov-2021 17:37

The worst drilling down the wall mission for me was when I was drilling down a wall, drill decided it liked gib more than wood and came out of the wall half way down and then became de-tached from the drill. By the time I got out of the ceiling to see the damage the lady of the house was laughing at me, she thought it was so funny, me not so much, I was gutted.

The worst thing was it was my house.........guess who got to plaster and paint, after I had finished drilling the hole.

Wellingtondave

156 posts

Master Geek

#2809480 8-Nov-2021 18:29

If you can get under the house it's sometimes easier to figure out where the electrical and plumbing might be, without drilling through it.

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simophin

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#2809588 8-Nov-2021 20:39

I used to drill through the studs with flexible drill bit. Did a very poor job back then. Nowadays I just run it outside the wall and cover it with those self adhesive cable conduit from Bunnings. So easy to do and if I need to sell the place it wouldn't be full of wall patches.

https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/4c590a19ed27101e4f5b45d089748bd8.jpg