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Bulletproof Wiring

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  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: high desert so cal
  • 997 posts
Posted by BIG JERR on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 7:45 PM

retired carpenter here , we use to predrill hard wood oak useing a finish nail cut w/dykes (side cutters ) all the time for pickup work on capenets and such. makes a hole perfect to fit the nail..... no bend ing and tearing up the face of cabinets and faster than getting a compressor out and nail gun ..... no doubt in my mind of the use of music wire cut on a angle w/dykes ,cut a pcs and push your finger against it .... it would drill and cheap in a pinch..just dont force it let it do the work.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 5:21 PM

 FOr small diameter holes, the music wire will work. I believe the end is cut off at an angle, not flat. That makes it work sort of liek a drill bit (more like twirling a knife), and music wire is hard enough to cut into wood.

                                --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:19 AM

mrazz
Has anyone ever used a piece of music wire for a drill bit?

I haven't seen the video, but was he really drilling through the plywood, roadbed, and tie, or was he drilling through foam?  I can see this working with foam, but I can't see music wire "drilling" through anything solid.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,449 posts
Posted by mobilman44 on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:45 AM

Hi!

I'm with Pete!  Let's face it, much of our layout wiring is done where it is difficult to get to it, and my use of a super long 1/8 inch drill bit makes it easier.  The fact is, with the hookups 3 feet or so from the viewer, a bit of rust/black paint for the wire and ground cover at the hole will hide it beautifully.  And, you will have a relatively fast and solid hook-up.

Mobilman44

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Monday, November 16, 2009 8:43 PM

 Mark

  Call me old fashion. I drill with a drill bit next to the tie. I strip about 1/4 inch off the wire and tin it. Bend a 90 degree in one direction then bend it again and solder to the inside of the rail.

        Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 51 posts
Bulletproof Wiring
Posted by mrazz on Monday, November 16, 2009 7:21 PM
Hi, 

I was just watching the “how to” video on “Bulletproof Wiring” Has anyone ever attempted to attach feeder wires this way? More specifically, Andy Sperandeo suggests drilling the hole through the railroad tie, roadbed and plywood using a piece of music wire in his electric drill. Has anyone ever used a piece of music wire for a drill bit? Any info will help.

 Thanks, Mark

 

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