Boroscope or Fish Tape?

[Russian007]

I have to snake some cables down about 15' of aluminum mast. Anxiety abounds. Never done it before. Boroscope/endoscope would seem ideal but I don't see recommendations. Which would be the best first move? I have to purchase on or the other.

[Startracker]

Originally Posted by Russian007

I have to snake some cables down about 15' of aluminum mast. Anxiety abounds. Never done it before. Boroscope/endoscope would seem ideal but I don't see recommendations. Which would be the best first move? I have to purchase on or the other.

Borescopes are great. Love em. Won't tell you much inside a mast that you can't get by feel. Fish tapes might work, I like thin flexible fish sticks better myself.

[tkeithlu]

Electricians do it all the time. Good bit cheaper than a borescope, and desiugned for the job:

https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Equ...9397202&sr=8-7

[Peeew]

My flexible scope/camera is too flexible to push anywhere. For long runs I tape it to a fish tape.

[steffan]

Why not both? Fish tape is the way to go, but if you run into a problem area you can't seem to get past you can check with a borescope. Lube may help if space is tight.

[boatpoker]

I just did it with a heavy 5/8 nut on a thin piece of string then taped the conductor to the string and pulled it through. It took a couple of minutes of jerking the string but it worked pretty well.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I just did it with a heavy 5/8 nut on a thin piece of string then taped the conductor to the string and pulled it through. It took a couple of minutes of jerking the string but it worked pretty well.

And if you have to fish the line out through a small hole at the bottom, use a regular steel nut and a magnet to get it through the hole. If the holes are too small for a heavy enough nut, a series of smaller nuts or a length of steel chain should work.

[JBP]

A neat trick is to use magnets. Attach one magnet to a thread, and slide another magnet down the outside of the mast/boom. Magnets work through aluminum. The little super magnets work best. Use the thread to pull a light line and then pull whatever.

[TheOffice]

Paint the end of the fish tape flourescent orange. Much easier to find it in a dark hole.

[markcouz]

Use about 150mm of bicycle chain tied to builders line, if you hit an obstruction then jerk it up and down a bit, it will often work its way through.

At the bottom fish it out with a mechanics extendable magnetic pick-up.

Use the line to pull through your cables.

[Cheechako]

15 ft isn't much. I have done longer with a 6 oz fishing weight and a strong cord. Is there conduit? Are there other cables in there?

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Russian007

I have to snake some cables down about 15' of aluminum mast. Anxiety abounds. Never done it before. Boroscope/endoscope would seem ideal but I don't see recommendations. Which would be the best first move? I have to purchase on or the other.

Super easy with this tool.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gardner-Ben...ape/5001428181
Grab it out of the run with a coat hanger, bend a small hook on the end of the hanger and hook it.
Boatyarddog

[Russian007]

Is it advisable to put a rubber grommet in the drill hole in the mast?

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Russian007

Is it advisable to put a rubber grommet in the drill hole in the mast?

If you just feed it through gently it should be fine. But, inside the mast itself, are there screws in there that are in the way, or rivets?

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Russian007

Is it advisable to put a rubber grommet in the drill hole in the mast?

If you don't want water down the mast, yes.
And to add, seal the mast side and the cable to the grommet side.
Also a rain loop, on the cable. To direct water away from the seal.

Have to disagree somewhat with the above post, there are sharp edges on all drill holes these can cut thru the cable sheath, with vibration.
Minimum, file those edges dull.
Boatyarddog