Every month, we pick the top Ideas That Work submitted by you, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR readers. These ideas can't be found in any code or guidebook and are only learned or devised through years of experience and thinking, "There's got to be a better way to do this!" Please remember, the ideas presented in this article are for consideration only. Before using such ideas, make sure codes and safety standards have been fully adhered to.

For a note on "game-changing ideas" from the Ideas That Work editor, Anton Mikec, click here.

Now, without further ado, here are this issue's Ideas That Work!

Knockout ‘taker-outer’
Are stubborn knockouts getting the best of you? Become just a bit smarter than the box you’re working with! Use what I call the “KnockOut Taker-Outer 2000.” Cut a section of 1-in. EMT conduit for installation inside of the boxes you want to knock out. This way, when you are banging on the knockout, you won’t deform the box.

Tyler Davidson
Washington, Pa.

Cable-management solution
Pulling large amounts of cable under raised flooring presents cable-management challenges. This simple idea will save time without the need to order special tools. Flip a flooring pedestal upside down on top of the finished floor. Then slide an empty wire spool over the pedestal. The result will be a fixed, mounted pulling shiv wheel at the point of entry for the cable.

Pedro Camacho
Moon Township, Pa.

Insulation rod locator tool
A great method for locating boxes, wiring and drilling locations is to use an insulation rod on a cordless drill because it is long, thin and leaves only a small hole that you can barely see when you’re done. It works great for drilling through floors and ceilings, between carpets and baseboards, and through walls. It also works for locating studs and joists, and leaves only a small hole, if any, to Spackle. The rods are sized about 1/16 in. by 16 in., and I cut a sharp point on one end with my linesman pliers.

J.L. Swift
Plymouth, Mass.

IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA that has saved you time or money on the job, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR ­readers would like to hear about it. Be sure to include a good photo of your idea—hand sketches are often hard to interpret. Note that some similar ideas are submitted by more than one person. In these cases, the one that is more clearly written and includes a photo is given precedence. Send your letter and photo to Jack Pullizzi, Ideas Editor, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814-5372, e-mail [email protected], or use the online submission tool at www.ecmag.com/ideasthatwork.

CASH AND TOOL PRIZES FOR WINNING IDEAS Each published author in Ideas That Work receives a $50 American Express gift card from ELECTRICAL ­CONTRACTOR. In addition, Southwire (www.southwiretools.com) will send the following set of electrician’s tools to each month’s first-place winner:

• Cable cutter
• Fish tape
• Long nose pliers
• Side cutting pliers
• Diagonal cutting pliers
• Pump pliers
• Screwdriver
• Wire stripper
• Crimpers
• Multimeter

DISCLAIMER: The ideas presented in this article are for consideration only. Before using such ideas, make sure codes and safety issues have been fully adhered to. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR disclaims any liability from your use of these or any other ideas. ­ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR reserves the right to reprint the words herein at its discretion.