[TowerTalk] Pulling coax through PVC pipe

[Patrick Greenlee]

Polyester "Mule Tape", never heard of it but glad to get updated!

I never ever pull wires anywhere and fail to leave at least a stout 
string in the run to be able to pull a pull rope through in future when, 
as is often the case, more conductors are needed.  I need to investigate 
mule tape.  Thanks for the update.

Patrick


On 1/29/2018 9:04 AM, Dick Blumenstein wrote:
> One slight mod on Patrick's feedback...
>
> Instead of a rope or stout cable, I would use polyester mule tape 
> (maybe about 1/2" to 3/4" wide) attached to the end of your old 
> cables, so when your old cables have been pulled through, you can then 
> attach the end of that to pull the new cables in, while allowing 
> additional mule tape in parallel to the new cables to be pulled in, 
> too.  I've read the mule tape has less chance of melting any turns in 
> the PVC piping.  That's what I did when I ran my cables.  Also, I left 
> about 2 feet of mule tape sticking out each end of the tubing when I 
> was done, so that in the future, I could pull additional cables 
> through the piping if need be without having to pull out the new 
> cables I just installed.
>
> Dick, K0CAT
>
> =================================
>
>
> Patrick Greenlee wrote on 1/29/2018 8:40 AM:
>> Yes there are wire pulling lubricants available at your local big box 
>> store.  Use plenty, be lavish, it won't hurt your wires or conduit 
>> and it will make the job easier. You don't have a real tight fit 
>> (cables to ID of conduit) but you can cause yourself a problem if you 
>> make a bulge where you connect the old to the new if you use the old 
>> to pull the new.
>>
>> If it were me I would consider using the existing cable to pull a 
>> stout string which in turn would pull a stout rope or wire cable 
>> which would be used to pull the new cable. Another consideration is 
>> wether to leave the old 14-2 in the conduit or to remove it and put 
>> it back with the new coax.  I recommend removing the 14-2 when 
>> removing the old coax and re-pulling it at the same time as the new 
>> coax. Why, you say?
>>
>> Pulling the coax into the conduit with 14-2 already in it has 
>> friction between the irregular 14-2 and the new coax that can cause 
>> problems pulling the new coax. When re-pulling the 14-2 at same time 
>> as coax there is no relative motion between the coax and 14-2, only 
>> between the coax plus 14-2 vs the ID of the conduit which is much 
>> smoother than the 14-2.  Is this last bit of "finesse" required?  
>> Maybe. You might be lucky and not need to use the above approach and 
>> have everything just go easy and smooth. Doesn't happen often for me, 
>> hence the "self defense" strategy.
>>
>> I recommend the Chinese finger grabbers to connect pulling ropes or 
>> wire cables to the coax and 14-2.
>>
>> Best of luck to you.
>>
>> Patrick        NJ5G
>>
>
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