cablingcoaxial-cablelow-voltage
What tools do I need and what techniques do I use to to cable a cable (coax) between 3 floors. Actually it's from my first floor of a two story home to the attic.
I have searched and searched and I can't find the answer. I see flexible drill it extensions but nothing like a good 6 footer.
I want to know from professionals what is used and any possible videos. I am having problems because I think I have the wrong tools. I keep loosing my drill bit extensions in the wall.
To help you with the terms, what you're looking at from above is the top plate. Frequently there are two 2x4's for a top plate. Two boards are used for added structure at the joints and extra fire proofing. This gives you about 3" of wood to drill through.
As ChrisF mentions, you should run a stud finder up and down the wall cavity near the halfway point to see if any fire blocking has been installed. This would be a single 2x4, and will almost always be in a wall if the ceilings are over 8' tall.
You'll significantly reduce the odds of insulation in the wall if you are doing this project on interior walls. You should also be avoiding any electrical in the same wall cavity (between the same two studs). You would see an outlet, switch, or wire coming out of the top plate if this were the case.
As for the actual wiring, I've used these low voltage mounting brackets for the hole in the wall. Place the bracket on the wall where you want the opening, mark the corners and sides, and cut out the drywall with a drywall saw. Test fit the bracket and file back any spots that are blocking you until you get a snug fit. Then bend the tabs back into the wall and tighten them with a pair of pliers. On that bracket, I use a modular plate (these comes with more openings if you need them) and then an ethernet jack mounted in the plate. You can also get jacks for cable, phone, stereo, etc.
I have the same problem with the two piece, so I use the compression type. They cost more money, but they are simply worth it. I've never had one pull off.
This is the style most cable and satellite companies use.
Never use electrical diagonal cutters or dykes to cut cable. They flatten out the end. Use cutters like this.
Always use a good cable stripper, never use a razor knife. You never want to nick the inner copper wire.
The compression connector can run as high as $200.00. I've seen this economy compression tool at Lowes for under $25.00 and it includes a hand full of connectors.
I can't say you will never have problems with them. but I've never had a problem with ghosts or snow on my tv's since I started using these tools.
Added Please remember for every splice or connector you loose around 25%, or it could be worse for bad connections. Don't daisy chain connections.
Best Answer
As an update I wanted to let everyone know that I got the super long drill bit rods and extensions and made all of the ports myself. I like hard wire to my stationary devices (tvs, media devices, and pcs) and I also like hard wiring WAPs so that I always have the best wifi coverage.
I ended up dropping almost 2k of car 6 in my house and 1200 feet of CCTV camera cable.
Enjoyed learning and thanks everyone for your help.