Drilling Into Studs for Electrical Wiring | Tool Lab | Ask This Old House

[@sparky178]

I’m an electrical contractor as well and the most important thing Heath said was to have the right tool. That makes the job so much easier! Great video 😊

[@3mtech]

I am 20 year journeyman electrician, I dont have 90% of those tools. Who is the target audience?

[@Nick_Lavigne]

@@3mtech really? there were two power tools on that table, one being a basic drill.

[@3mtech]

@@Nick_Lavigne Really. Does the word power exist in my comment?

[@FurryWooki]

This was an awesome session by Heath. I love when he's able to focus on a subject and give walk-throughs and tips.

[@protoman247]

Pretty cool. Always enjoy watching how the pros like heath do it.

[@dtom1145]

ATOH and TOH are the only DIY shows that actually show you HOW to do something but also explain WHY when it comes to projects! All the other DIY shows are nothing but fluff, quick takes of before and after or just pushing the end design. Hats off to these men and women who keep it real for the rest of us!

[@JimmyZNJ]

Lots of great tips! As a fan of knowing the right tool and right technique for a job, I know I learned a lot in this video! Thanks!

[@sambiscits6711]

Tricks and tips always make the job go easier.

[@RM-qt9gx]

Thank you. Always good information. I love this show I watch it all day . Thank you Ask This Old House.

[@erikkarling2176]

Great information! That was very useful.

[@pf5658]

Some great advice for those amateurs, DIYERS out there.

[@kylefowler5082]

This is a great video I'm going to show apprentices on the way to the jobsite. Running wire sounds so easy until you mess it up lol

[@johnlebzelter4208]

Nice video Keith.

[@liskaerik]

Great Video!

[@FableSoulja]

I've just completely abandoned the right angle drill and just use spade bits. With nice bits and a strong drill, it moves like butter

[@scundoorsup5342]

Butta ya lobstah

[@chriswilliams5268]

I think in some states there is a height code. 30 inches is common. Might want to check the code for height in your area before drilling and running wire so when the inspector comes it's upta snuff

[@JM-gz1ej]

I like that nail plate trick the best

[@louisel.sinniger2057]

Amen for the right tool

[@rskzstealth1118]

Fantastic video 🎉

[@Guardducks]

Strike plates are code and should be installed anyway . The last time an electrician drilled holes through sonne side at a house i was working at board every single cripple above a doorway using ng big hole auger with a long bit. O was was the one doing the drywall behind the electrician, i wanted to strangle him and so did the home owner. I fixed his mistakes and needless to say he never returned , i wonder why. Maybe he should have watched this video. Lol good video. 👍🏼

[@mr.g937]

Strikes plates are only code if you aren't meeting the required clearance from the edge of the stud. But I agree that it's good practice. In reality though most electricians are not going to do them if they aren't required because they need to manage costs (and labor time).

[@xamargalber8088]

Good afternoon!! This is an incredible video! Thank you very much!! Blessings from Chicago!❤️💯👍

[@kevinklepp5894]

Looks easier than conduit right I as well work around the Chicago area

[@txshah78]

Interesting topic

[@buffydog21]

The top half of my house still has knob and tube. So, from light, to light switch, and to the basement. I'm going to pull all the electrical wire in my own house and let a electrician wire the electrical panel. I like to use 12/2, but I know 14/2 is sufficient. Part of the rewiring is in the kitchen. There's no insulation in my house and I can't insulate my house, until I deactivate the knob and tube, by pulling new Romex wire first. The current wire is Solid Romex Simpull CU NM-B W/G Wire.

[@tonythetiger9839]

that's going to be a great project and save you money and worry in the long run, good luck bro.

[@lrayvick]

What tool would I use to notch a 4x8 in an outside corner of the old shed we are wiring which has a 2x4 on both sides. I don't see any way to drill a hole that makes a 90 degree turn so I am thinking about using an oscillating multi-tool to cut a notch maybe 1/2 inch deep then covering it with a strike plate.

[@installtiles8982]

Excellent working

[@salvadorsepulveda6415]

Thanks Heath, great tips ! Blessings 🙏

[@chad_fennell]

Is there any benefit to *not* lining up holes in order to promote more structural integrity in a load bearing wall? Or is keeping the holes to 3/4" sufficient that this extra step would not be necessary? Thank you!

[@leeknivek]

Well when you consider that up to 3" PVC pipe is run through a number of studs, a 3/4" hole isn't going to affect them much. Most of the load on a stud is compression pushing straight down, so the load can go around a hole, like an arch.

[@GM-NY]

Great video, love these tool lab spots.

[@tjtampa214]

That was very cool. 👍 👍

[@joseph-ine452]

Nice work !!

[@MH-qq3kj]

Nice, thanks again.

[@webberfan1234]

Nicely done

[@bert1913]

Use Irwin 4 inch "speedbor" bits

[@jameswestmoreland8953]

Tried using an angle adapter with a self driving auger bit for same application but it kept trying to rip my arm off. How did you use the self-driving but so smoothly without it catching a stop in the drill and jerking around? I’ve had to telescope in and out just to get through. Quite tedious

[@kamilmarkowicz]

I found that using those bits with an impact driver made all the difference. No more dislocated wrists!

[@maycy92]

Can I / should I run 6 AWG wire on its own through a stud?

[@sapreaper]

I love Heath but I just wish he would have used a shorter screw (think drywall 1-1/4"). I get the point still comes across, but even with the standard 1-1/4" set-back where code comes in, that screw would have still hit the NM-B. Again, I get it, it was a generic showing of what might happen. Still a great video as always!

[@tmsaskg]

I wonder if there's some metal inserts (like hose braces) into those stud holes, so when I drill through studs for hanging something heavy, the drilling halts hitting metal before drilling through electricity line causing bigger issues.

[@CDPMATH]

You can always add a metal plate right below the drywall on the stud with the hole too close to the edge.

[@igounfazed]

I have thought of his very idea because strike plates lift the wall sheeting off of the stud, making ever so slightly unplumb walls. With a metal insert, you can increase the hole diameter, maintain structual integrity, prevent accidental wire punctures, surpass current code when its required, and not need the concern for a required hole being centered. My thought was pieces of metal conduit with a rounded over lip to prevent wire chafing and provide a depth stop against the stud, using two 'halves' long enough to mate in the middle of the stud so that each side is protecting the wire against chafing. IMO, it seems a whole lot better than strike plates.

[@baxt1412]

Yes there are grommets that you can use specifically for this purpose

[@baxt1412]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/foXVpHloZc90bpI

[@igounfazed]

@@baxt1412 can you please link one or provide a good search term my search history wont confuse it?

[@jimvest]

I've found it to be easier to run outlet wires inside the floor before concrete etc. and lighting/ switches inside the ceiling, that way you don't have to drill every stud. I don't know is that the code in US but it's common here.

[@garbo8962]

Every time that I rewired an o!d house I would purchase a quality nail eater 12 or 18" long auger bit made by Greenlee. They have no problem cutting thru nails. For basements used a 18" extension to drill tons of holes entire length of basements. Probably could buy a new car if I had a dollar for every hole I drilled to pull wire. Had one big house with 80 circuit breakers that think I drilled 18 holes in each basement joust.

[@xjAlbert]

My dentist plays the same music when he starts drilling in my mouth 3:15

[@GreenAppelPie]

Jesus, my spade bits absolutely suck. I’m going to toss the right now. Great info!

[@Engineer9736]

Don’t throw out your old shoes before you have new ones

[@flat-earther]

You can whet 'em

[@flat-earther]

@@Engineer9736 I agree but I had to throw mine a year ago because they wore through and tiny animals were infesting them. Now I haven't managed to buy new shoes yet & I've been using my brother's sandals.

[@briansigma1342]

Why does everyone run wire like that? Why not j box in the attic or basement/craw and go down or up the stud bay. Please tell me.

[@michaeljavert4635]

It's very different when you have drywall on both sides and you don't want to rip down your walls. Unfortunately, there's just no way around taking down one side or other of a wall, or at very least a large hole.

[@doit9854]

At 1:52, yes, a 2x4 isn't a 2x4. People in Europe, please educate my fellow Americans.

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

What kind of dang drill is that big-boy?

[@dennisvivoda]

Dewalt and Milwaukee tools why hidden the brand ?

[@alext8828]

When a spade bit breaks thru, it can wreck the gearing in your drill. Ask me how I know.

[@vitalsteve1]

impact baby

[@christophercastor6666]

Nicest sparky I ever met!

[@97Ahuatzi99]

You mean we’re not supposed to notch out huge chunks off the studs? How away

[@tmillsaz]

👍

[@davidasdasd4666]

A cordless drill drives a screw through that nail plate without any problem

[@c0mputer]

Very smart. There are a couple new houses being built down the road from me. When I’m on my lunch brake I’ll walk down and make sure they have seen this video.

[@c0mputer]

@@Kevin-mp5of drum can hold more food

[@niceguy235uk1]

Where's Scott?????????😭

[@joesmoth2610]

I love watching electricians use Impact s to drill through studs and wonder why their impacts won't last

[@MegaRiffraff]

👍🏻

[@mikev.1034]

👍🤘🤙

[@erickytam]

In today's prices, that's like $509 in lumber they just wasted

[@j2jcox]

Ads are so annoying!

[@richardb.5691]

My OCD requires me to measure each hole from the floor up so they are exactly the same height. 😆😆😆

[@CDPMATH]

Under the assumption the floor is leveled.

[@mrevohk7423]

Lasers my friend

[@igounfazed]

I don't understand why alleged professionals never make, use, and or reccomend a *TEMPLATE* to make the through holes?! WTH gives? I'm a DIYer and know something this simple in idea and function, yet veteran electricians with decades under their experienced belt never rven consider it? You get a scap piece of stud, make your centered hole in it, put it against the to be drilled wall stud, drill through template. Done. Centered every time, and I don't even do this for a living. It really shines when you want to drill every hole aligned to each other, as you can run a chalk line to mark the height and use a template with a line on its edge to get all your holes at the same height and depth. Professional tips? IDK...

[@scundoorsup5342]

Hmmm, not rocket science Show more proper circuit wiring

[@nathanshepp3821]

Can you please explain how the real pros do it now that this garbage homeowner video is over?

[@nathanshepp3821]

@@Kevin-mp5of sounds to me like you're talking about drywallers