Scott, Would it be possible to use a thin rodd -- smaller than the drill bit you used, to poke a wire or string through the series of holes you drilled? If you can get the string through, or a small wire, you could then pull the Romex through. Also, if you have to patch the ceiling, you can buy an aerosole can of popcorn ceiling patch. You can buy it in fine, medium or coarse. But let me warn you, if you do it, cover everything, including walls for yards around the area you spray. It comes out of the can like a giant fart, and you'll collect some of the stuff on yourself too. Blessings, Tom
-----Original Message----- From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com]on Behalf Of Scott Howell Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 7:33 PM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: [BlindHandyMan] installing a ceiling fan-the tricky part All, I have a minor problem, ok not a problem so much as I'm just trying to find an easy way to do something that would be simple if I'd just stop trying to make life difficult. I cut a hole in the ceiling for the fan box and I should point out there is no fan or light etc. so a new install from scratch. I also have the added problem of fishing wire from where the switch is to the center of the room and of course the joists have the absolute nerve to be running perpendicular to the direction I need to go; damn builders didn't bother to consult with me before putting the place together, but ah well. Ok, so, yeah I could knock a hole every other joist and bang a hole in each joist and I only need a hole large enough to fit my hand in so I can fish the wire. Now because I'm such a clever fool, I wasted my money and got one of those four foot rods with the bit on the end, meant for drilling hole. Well first it seemed like a fine idea, but controlling that sucker wasn't easy and I'm fairly sure I piloted the bit under the duct that had the nerve to be in my way, but then I hit something that took the drill out of my hands and smash the hell out of my forearm. Now not to be out done by the drill, I tried again and got beat up by the drill again, but since I lack the good sense to stop, I did punch through to the other side, but I have no idea where in hell I ended up. So far my wife hasn't found any holes in the bedrooms upstairs and that must mean I made holes generally in the right direction. However, because I do lack common sense, I didn't realize that trying to pilot the fish tape through the holes I made will be damn near impossible. So, I think the holes are generally in line with each other, but has anyone any tips on driving a fish tape um, well, ahuh blindly through the joists? I'm trying so hard to avoid making anymore holes and trying to justify the cost of the bit/rod deal. I mean it'll be useful in driving up the wall into the whatever it's called up there, but seems I'd have to run the fish tape up that way and not through the hole where the fan box will go. Of course luck would have it that the hole I made is right against the beam and I'm hoping it won't cause me a lot of problems. Of course the real hoot to all this is if I end up making holes, I got one of those ceilings with the popcorn stuff on it. Well it's more like thick, sharp, knuckle-slashing popcorn stuff. So, patching the holes and finding that stuff will be interesting, but I still have the plug I cut out of the ceiling, so matching it shouldn't be to bad and it'll be easier in the end to patch that then if it were all smooth. See I'm trying to avoid making the lovely spouse unhappy with additional destruction. She's not overly happy with the dust, but she understands dust is a way of life in the construction business and well I tried taping the shop vac to the drill and that sort of worked. :) So, a little less dust. Well hey, any thoughts appreciated. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
