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!

Velcro solution

Next time you need to cut wood or metal with a jigsaw and are worried about scratching your project, buy a roll of coarse Velcro (not the cloth type) and cut two pieces of it about the size of the undercarriage. Stick the Velcro on, and you’re good to go. This solution should last a long time, as well.

Robert D’Ercole
Ramsey, N.J.

Solitary wire pulling

If I have to go through a junction box or, more commonly, a conduit body—especially when taking corners—pulling the wires through by myself is virtually impossible. So, I pull the wires and loop them at the first location, and then I hang a clip with a small weight on the loop of wires at the first location to pull them to the final location. This helps to keep constant tension on the wires and keeps them from kinking as you’re pulling them to the final location.

Shawn Wipf
Scotland, S.D.

Coupling to the rescue

Ever have a circumstance when you’re running rigid conduit and you run out of plastic bushings or locknuts in the field? Or is there just not enough room to fit a nipple through an opening? Thread a coupling on your pipe, and measure your cut or bend while it’s on. When installing your piece of pipe, place it over the hole and thread a chase nipple into the coupling.

Dale Winland
New Cumberland, W.V.

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.