DIY Running Cat 6 Cables on a new house

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#1066032 15-Jun-2014 15:18

When i turn up to install a broadband service, this is about as sexy a home hub as one can have
I love it when i see them as well thought out for services as this one is

Ray Taylor

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k1w1k1d

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#1066052 15-Jun-2014 16:11

That is one sexy installation, and so easy to service too!
The one on the left looks boring by comparison. Obviously not installed by the same "tradesman".

alexx

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#1066112 15-Jun-2014 18:10

timmmay: Future proof it, consider putting in some conduit in case you want other runs later.

I really can't add much more to this thread than to say I wished I'd wired cat 5 (as it was back then) or conduit, when the place was being built. Now I'm wondering if I can use the existing phone extension lines as a draw wire, but I suspect the cable goes around too many corners for that to work.

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bales

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#1066124 15-Jun-2014 18:27

dont drill through the laminated beam those quotes seem reasonable if they include hub, modules, prewire and fit off we usually match wall outlets with sockets and switches that have been used.

keithbayly

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#1066126 15-Jun-2014 18:31

alexx:
timmmay: Future proof it, consider putting in some conduit in case you want other runs later.

I really can't add much more to this thread than to say I wished I'd wired cat 5 (as it was back then) or conduit, when the place was being built. Now I'm wondering if I can use the existing phone extension lines as a draw wire, but I suspect the cable goes around too many corners for that to work.

Any chance of drilling very long holes to run wires or conduits?

I've invested in a couple of long auger bits and 3 extensions:

If I add all the ones shown in #3, I can drill up to 1.6 metres. So far, I've only popped out through the walls in three places.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

dimsim

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#1066129 15-Jun-2014 18:39

Is there such a thing as a threaded extension? I'd imagine the play in those extensions would make it easy for the auger to find a way out of the wall :)

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richms

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#1066141 15-Jun-2014 19:02

If it was threaded then it would undo when you backed off because it was jamming.

Richard rich.ms

isis

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#1066151 15-Jun-2014 19:36

Its just a pretty basic double story 250 sqm house with an extra large garage.
The first quote was labour and cable supply at 3800. Includes fit off but no wall plates or terminators.
The other quote is per outlet at about $75.

Items does not include patch panels or modules.

So you can see why i kinda baulk at the quotes.
I am a little handy and think a day to pull through the wires would suffice.
I just need to know how best to drag wires up to the top floor.

I think i'll wait and see what the electricians does with running electrics and have a looksee..

Looks like i'll need to go invest in some long drill bits!

PhantomNVD

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#1066202 15-Jun-2014 21:02

Don't think you'll need long Drill bits if you get in before the gibbing gets done, as i think he was refererring to a retrofit with those (and the comment about it poking out a couple times)

i did my own (Cat5e) when the walls were bare for a major reno about 6 years back, easy as pie for a good DIY handyman as all the beams/boards are fully exposed and easy to maneuver the drill around.

DEFINITELY do the conduit for the main trunk(s) and central runs, and pop a few other 15mm pipes into any rooms/walls you think you might later need points or more cables too (eg. study might need other points if the layout is changed or TV area might need other/more cables as technology changes etc.)

Probably worth waiting till the sparky does his bit to ensure yours isn't too close and maybe or even avoid his using your conduit to save drilling (!)

Good luck!

isis

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#1066233 15-Jun-2014 21:55

Will need some long drill bits as some of the framing timber have been packed together into 3s etc..

Jaxson

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#1066242 15-Jun-2014 22:15

Hi all,
As a suggestion for the long drill runs...
Drill two holes in the top plate and shine a torch down one of them. This allows you to accurately place the first hole down below right in the middle of the dwang. Remember as best as possible to keep the drill as 'level' up and down as possible also, so you're not drilling on an angle right from the start.
Get this right and you should be set for the second dwang after that.

What are you planning to do with all the cable runs routed to one location?
If the quotes include anything at that central point, a rack/cabinet/any distribution module etc, then this should also be factored into the equation.
If it's just beer ends dangling at that point then it should be cheaper. To be useful though you want the central end to be finished and terminated on a patch panel, ready for services to be allocated to outlets as required.

Get in quick before the GIB goes up, as your price surely will after then also.
I'd be keen to get an idea of the honest hours this takes too by the way, so we can get a feel for what's about right quote wise also.

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isis

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#1066272 15-Jun-2014 22:34

Thanks for the tips. I've bought a cabinet to wall mount and for all services to be terminated - networks/rg6 etc

PhantomNVD

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#1066374 16-Jun-2014 08:09

I'm also keen on the post-op followup please, as I plan to do this again myself in a new build in about 6 months too :)

MattR

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#1066677 16-Jun-2014 14:51

I did my cousin's network & tv cabling when their house was built. 2 storey, 7 bedrooms...
25mm drill bit, I only needed a longer bit once, got the sparky to do that one for me. Stay away from the chimney.

I did 2 cat5e and 2 rg6 to each room, with more when required (lounge/etc). 4 unifi wifi APs, 12ru cabinet. I ended up using about 5 boxes of cat5, and 4 rolls of RG6.

If it were my house I would have done Cat6 in conduit, but they wanted to keep costs down.

Don't forget the RG6. I had the UHF antenna and Sky dish run back to the cupboard the cabinet is in, and go into Matchmaster 10MM-DDA28, so they can have Freeview & Sky in any room they want.

$3-5k seems reasonable. The actual cable is the cheapest part.

DarthKermit

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#1066864 16-Jun-2014 17:59

If anyone in Palmerston North wants help drilling holes to run network cables, PM me and we can come to an arrangement.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

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