How do I thread speaker wire under my carpet?

[nippyjun]

We want to run some speaker wire under about a 12 foot length of carpet. We can't pull the carpet away from the wall. I was thinking that I can just make a few small slits in the carpet along the lenght that we are spanning and use a straightened coat hanger to thread the wire along? Any ideas on this? Are there tools specifically for doing this?

 

[LordMaul]

You get this special "Thread-O-Matic" or something of the like that the pros use that you attach the end of the wire to and shoot under the carpet.

 

[Ornery]

• Run it under the house, through basement or crawl space
• Run it through the attic
• Run it around the parimeter
• If you can't do any of those, use Fish tape

If this is a high traffic area, this is NOT a very good idea. That wire will be messed up by the massive wear.

 

[rival]

probably be more trouble than its worth to run it under the carpet (pulling up the sides and restreching it to put it down again)

run it under the house and up the walls

 

[nippyjun]

Any local stores that you guys know of that sell the "fishtape"?

Thanks.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Fish tape. Yes. Home Depot, Lowes or any other hardware store. They are a very common electrician's tool. It's probably the best solution to your problem. Run the wires along the wall and there will be no problem with wear and tear.

 

[LordMaul]

Originally posted by: nippyjun
Any local stores that you guys know of that sell the "fishtape"?

Thanks.

You don't want the Thread-O-Matic?

Ungratful little bitch.

:frown:

 

[tm37]

If you are worried about looks you can remove the baseboards and hisde them under them

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: tm37
If you are worried about looks you can remove the baseboards and hisde them under them

hmm good idea. I was having trouble finding a way to my far wall from the attic.

 

[nippyjun]

I think that my best bet is to just run the wire straight under the carpet from one wall to the other. It would be too much work to remove the baseboards or to run it around the edge of the entire room. A straight shot from the A/V unit to the other side of the room for the rear speakers should be ideal. I'm not really worried about walking over the wire as it's not a high traffic area.

We just called home depot and they seem to have what we need.

Thanks guys!

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: nippyjun
It would be too much work to remove the baseboards or to run it around the edge of the entire room.

Chances are you wouln't have to remove baseboards to run the wire around the perimeter. Usually casrpet is held by a tackless strip. There would be about a half inch of carpeting around the outside of the tackless strip that is laying loose. The wire could be tucked under this.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: nippyjun
It would be too much work to remove the baseboards or to run it around the edge of the entire room.

Chances are you wouln't have to remove baseboards to run the wire around the perimeter. Usually casrpet is held by a tackless strip. There would be about a half inch of carpeting around the outside of the tackless strip that is laying loose. The wire could be tucked under this.

Yeah, this is a good thing.
We do this all the time. You may be able to push the wire under the baseboard/moulding with a butter knife or similar smooth pushing tool. If you must go under the carpet, the fish tape may want to "wander". be patient and work it slowly. Make a rounded over "knob" at the head of the fish tape with electrical tape. This way you can nudge it along from the topside. The electrical tape also makes sure the wire doesn't slip out of the fishtape.
<---- Low Voltage ( Audio/Video/etc) Contractor IRL.

 

[manly]

I have hardwood floors, and am currently contemplating cable TV wiring that's somewhat related to this question.

Is it a fairly bad idea to drill an inconspicuous hole in the floor wherever I need a cable outlet? I'm also considering running in the walls, but I have zero experience and figure that would be the hardest (if most ideal) option.

Any particular references I could look into for professional guidance?

 

[Kevin]

Originally posted by: nippyjun
Any local stores that you guys know of that sell the "fishtape"?

Thanks.

Just be warned that it will probably curl after you unwind it. I used a snake (aka fish tape) to run Cat 5 cable through my wall and it keep curling inside the wall...

 

[Anubis]

just run it along the base of the wall and tack it down. Thats what I do

 

[Placer14]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: nippyjun
It would be too much work to remove the baseboards or to run it around the edge of the entire room.

Chances are you wouln't have to remove baseboards to run the wire around the perimeter. Usually casrpet is held by a tackless strip. There would be about a half inch of carpeting around the outside of the tackless strip that is laying loose. The wire could be tucked under this.

I dunno....when my dad installs carpet, he puts the tackstrip not more than half an inch from the wall and kicks it in with a kicker. YMMV

 

[Thegonagle]

Instead of fishtape, try a 25-35 foot tape measure, then tape the wire to to and pull it back through. It won't try to curl up on you while you're extending it like fishtape might.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: manly
I have hardwood floors, and am currently contemplating cable TV wiring that's somewhat related to this question.

Is it a fairly bad idea to drill an inconspicuous hole in the floor wherever I need a cable outlet? I'm also considering running in the walls, but I have zero experience and figure that would be the hardest (if most ideal) option.

Any particular references I could look into for professional guidance?

If you can go under the house, punch the holes through the base shoe molding. Those holes are easily spackled and painted over, if and when the cable is removed later. To do it right, use an electrical receptacle box and a suitable face plate to finish it. You can punch the hole up through the wall's bottom plate, or down through the top plate(s). Fish the wire down between the studs. The electrical box opening should be large enough to get your hand in to grab the cable. Yep, it's loads of fun for the whole family!