Tips and Tricks for Running Speaker Wire
I spent some time this past weekend running speaker wire in my basement. I bought a great receiver and speaker system a long time ago (on Craigslist) and I’m only now really getting it setup. So I thought I’d share a few tips and tricks that helped me get those wires in place without putting a ton of holes in my ceiling.
Tips for Running Speaker Wire
Get a Friend
It’s really tough to run speaker wire alone. You might think it’s just a matter of going back and forth but it’s not. Your friend will be feeding wire, handing equipment, shining lights, and a number of other things. My friend, Andy, helped me out. And, it doesn’t hurt that he is really good with a Fish Tape.
Get a Fish Tape
Fish Tape is a tool used for cable and wire pulls. It’s basically a coil of steel (or nylon) that you can extend to hook items that are far out of reach. I have a simple, 50′ Fish Tape. It’s made of steel that is rigid enough to maneuver through the tangle of web trusses. Nicer tapes are longer, have distance markings, and are rated to pull more than one wire but those traits aren’t really important for me. Here’s a basic Fish Tape from Sears for only $19.99.
Nice Drywall Holes
I don’t like ragged looking holes in my drywall. It’s the sort of thing that would really bother me. I guess I could have bought some kind of bushing but I didn’t. Instead, I used masking tape. Before you drill through the drywall, put down a few layers of masking tape. The masking tape will prevent any unwanted ripping as you drill, leaving a nice clean hole. Verify your spot with a stud finder to make sure you are clear.
Use a Wire Hanger
This tip could be called “Get a Second Fish Tape”, but who wants to purchase a second Fish Tape? I took two wire hangers and taped them to make one long extension. I would wave / dangle / thrash about and Andy would hook the hanger with the Fish Tape. Next, we attached speaker wire and Andy pulled it back to himself. The picture on the left shows the Fish Tape in action and the web trusses we were up against.
Vents Provide Access
I didn’t want to put any extra holes in the ceiling but one pull just wasn’t happening. So, we broke it down into two steps. We removed two registers and shifted some duct work (very slightly!). This provided additional access and enabled us to make the long pull. Be careful moving duct work! If it comes apart you’ve created a new reason to put a hole in your ceiling.
Secure with Plastic Clips
I used small plastic clips to secure the wire and keep it tidy. They are basically a small plastic arch with nails on either side. You can staple the wire in place, but I didn’t want to risk cutting through the outer membrane. The clips I used are very similar to these Video Cable Clips from Home Depot.
What do you think? Any tips for running speaker wire?
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March 10th, 2009 9:51 pm
Why is it that nobody has invented a wireway for residential service? Granted, it would have to be concelaed, but it doesn’t seem like it would be that difficult.