Just found a trick for running conduit through studs in tight attic spaces

I was working on a rewire in a 1960s ranch house in Phoenix last Tuesday and kept fighting with the low pitch in the attic. Couldn't get my drill in straight to bore holes through the top plates. On a whim I grabbed a 18 inch long 1/2 inch flexible bit extension from my Milwaukee kit and it let me angle the drill way back while still getting a clean hole. Saved me at least 45 minutes on that part of the run. Any of you guys ever use those long flex bits for awkward spots like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

lewis.brian11d ago

Man, I gotta disagree with you on this one. I tried one of those long flex bits a couple years back and it was a nightmare - kept wandering off angle and splitting the stud near the edge. Ended up having to patch drywall anyway. For tight attics, I'd rather just take the extra time to cut a small access hole in the ceiling below and drill from underneath with a regular right angle drill. Yeah it takes maybe 20 more minutes but you get a straight hole every time and you don't risk tearing up the top plate. Those flex bits just feel too flimsy for anything thicker than a 2x4.

smith.elliot11d ago

Used to swear by flex bits myself until I wrecked a customer's crown molding on a job last fall. Keith's trick about starting with a short pilot bit makes sense though, never tried that. Might have to give them another shot with that low speed tip too, 800 rpm is way slower than I was running mine.

keith27411d ago

Ive been using those Milwaukee flex bits for about 3 years now and they work GREAT if you baby them a little. The trick is to start your hole with a short auger bit first so you get a good pilot then switch to the long flex extension to finish the bore. I learned the hard way that if you just jam the flex bit straight into the wood it WILL walk on you every time. Another thing is keep the speed down slow and steady like 800 rpm tops. High speed makes the tip dance around like crazy. For real tight attic work like that 1960s ranch you mentioned I keep mine wrapped with a strip of red tape at the 6 inch mark so I know exactly how deep Im going without guessing. Saves me from punching through the drywall on the other side.