First place: Wire protection

While it is better to have a dedicated person feeding the wire and protecting it from damage during installation, I do have a labor-saving tip. While wiring up a string of 8-foot T12 lamp fixtures stretching about 300 feet, I start pulling wire over the end of the fixture. To prevent stripping and damaging the insulation, I took a 4-inch piece of ½-inch EMT, sliced it lengthwise and slipped it over the edge of the end after removing the lamp holders on the end. It allowed the wire to slide over the sharp edge without damage. I then could pull the wire bundle the full length of the light line.

Ron Backen
Wildomar, Calif.

Oldie but goodie: Keep on splitting

Have you ever had a nonmetallic box where the 6–32 threads were stripped beyond repair? To solve it, I cut off both ends of a small plastic anchor to reveal the (usually) three sections of thin plastic, and then split them until I have only one sliver of plastic, which may need further trimming to drive into the stripped hole. I do not try to tap this. I only drive in the screw and let it make its own threads. You may have to use more than one sliver. I have found this to work very well on switches.

Glenn Gibert
Forest City, N.C.

Weather protection

You and your tools may be outside in hot or cold weather for a long time. How do you prepare yourself and your tools to face the outdoors? Do you have a way to protect your screws and connections from the cold? Share your safe ideas with us.