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.

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

Weed trimmer string innovation
When securing Tapcon screws or plastic anchors in older stone or masonry walls, they tend to pull out due to mortar deterioration. To solve this, I put a couple pieces of weed trimmer string into the hole and then install the Tapcon or plastic anchor. The screws are then anchored securely.

Tony Pietrack
Telford, Pa.

Jack chain fishing
Fishing electrical lines in the voids of masonry walls can be quite a challenge. String is too light, and a string with a weight can get caught on masonry ledges. Jack chains are good, but it can be hard to tell if the chain is balling up. However, a string combined with about a foot of jack chain has enough weight to fall through the voids, and it is easier to feel it falling freely. Once it is in, you can pull your MC, flex, low-voltage cable, or whatever else is needed and complete your electrical installation.

Eric Branning
Fort Wayne, Ind.

Drill chuck vise
While on the job, have you ever had to cut down a threaded nipple for a chandelier without a vise? There’s another way. Your cordless drill’s chuck can serve as a vise for this application. It’s a great alternative use for an everyday tool.

Mayer Rosenberg
Totowa, N.J.

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.