How can I get cable through this wall?

Want to install some extra points in our office....the switch cab is in the next room, trunking already runs the whole way, very easy 10m run.

Except...it goes through a wall. An electrician drilled the holes and put the existing cables through a while ago, and while I could get them back, as the holes are already there and I only need to get 3 more cables through, I wanted to do it myself.

The problem is that the wall at it's core is solid brick, then either side is plasterboard, then to make matters worse there is an additional ledge on the lower part of the wall, so the thickness is getting on for 30cm. Also, although holes are cut, they arent very well lined up through the different parts. On both sides and presumably the middle, there is plenty of space for more cables.

Allow my crude diagram to illustrate the wall.

(ok I can't even get a picture to show up now, not having a good day!)
Attachment 16018

My usual method is a wire coat hanger, unwound. I poke one end into some CAT5, then poke it through and pull it the other side. The problem here is that because I can't see which part of the hole it is going through, it is getting too tight and I end up pulling the hanger through without the cable!

What other tools techniques could I use to get this bloody cable through?

Get a Drill, a large drill bit and let havoc commence!

That's what I would do anyway.

Buy a small switch - there's your extra ports.

Drill another hole yourself.

Root it under the floor (if possible).

Root it the long way around.

How big is the hole, perhaps some reinforced hose or plastic pipe to gently wiggle through effectively your own conduit inside the hole to put some more cable through.

Dynamite.... :)

Or failing the lack of explosive munitions, you could try a length of pipe, 10/15mm copper or plastic usually works well (SYNACK beat me to it). Just poke that through, feed the cat5 through and voila.


DT

Lol I was hoping to avoid drilling, as I don't have a drill!

Piping sounds like a good idea actually, especially as I could pull the existing cables back through and get it in (they're terminated appallingly anyway, not my doing)

Just wondered whether a tool existed that would help me push the cable through...my coat hanger method would work if the cable could be attached to it better

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sidewinder

Lol I was hoping to avoid drilling, as I don't have a drill!

Piping sounds like a good idea actually, especially as I could pull the existing cables back through and get it in (they're terminated appallingly anyway, not my doing)

Just wondered whether a tool existed that would help me push the cable through...my coat hanger method would work if the cable could be attached to it better

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How are you attaching now? Are you using a cable tie?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sidewinder

my coat hanger method would work if the cable could be attached to it better

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Just tape it on ...

http://span-trade.co.uk/images/uploads/KH.jpg


ten points if you don't tell people on the other side of the wall what you're doing first...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sidewinder

Just wondered whether a tool existed that would help me push the cable through...my coat hanger method would work if the cable could be attached to it better

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Attachment 16019

How are you attaching, I usually shove the end of the hanger into the end of the cable then excessively tape its junction into a cone shape, you could also try a small hook bent in the end to give it more pulling power.

Can you get enough slack on one of the existing cables to pull a length the thickness of the wall through tape the new cables to it and then pull it back through?

Tape slips off, but a cable tie may work! I've also managed to fashion a small hook at the end of the hanger now :)

10MTR x 3MM NYLON DRAW TAPE FISH TAPE FOR PULLING CABLES THROUGH CONDUIT | eBay
ive just bought one of these for doing the same thing!
roll of tape and bobs your uncle!

I moaned about the cabling in one of our buildings, and this turned up yesterday....

http://www.jcb.com/AboutJCB/JCBStore...aspx?FSI=38978

I also use a Super Rod set, which has a handy Super Grip thing a bit like the Chinese finger puzzle.

SuperRod Mega Set