Fishing through flexible metal conduit


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Old 10-11-16, 01:09 PM
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Fishing through flexible metal conduit

I am trying to fish through a 50' section of 1 1/2" flexible metal conduit without success so far. I tried a vacuum on one side and was going to feed a string on the other but there was no suction with my shop vac -- the FMC leaks too much air. My metal fish tape can't get past the curves. I tried pushing a coax cable through but it bound up too. Any ideas? Has anyone used a 3/16" or 1/4" steel cable as a fish?
 
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Old 10-11-16, 01:13 PM
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Maybe a fiber fish tape? You could try to blow or vacuum a conduit mouse (tie string to a plastic grocery bag) to help with the air pressure problem. Sorry I don't have much more, FMC is tough to work with in any significant distance. You may have to breach the wall and install a pull box at the midpoint.
 
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Old 10-11-16, 01:36 PM
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Did I read correctly.... 1-1/2" FMC ?

That's pretty large. I use a metal snake with a small hard plastic ball on the end.
A kid's toy ball..... I drilled it out and stuck it over the snake's hook.

You must use something with a round end. Anything flat..... coax, steel cable, snake, etc. will only get caught in the ridges at the curves. A fiber fish tape with a whisk on the end would also work.
 
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Old 10-11-16, 01:44 PM
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Yes - 1 1/2" aluminum flex. I ran it in the ceiling when it was open for a remodel a few years ago thinking it'd be plenty large to fish through. I should have ran a fish line through it when I could have stretched it straight on the ground.
 
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Old 10-11-16, 01:48 PM
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Now when you get thru it..... leave a fish line for future use.
 
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Old 10-12-16, 03:42 AM
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You didn't say home many bends you have but a steel fish tape with a leader helps. Klein Tools Fish Tape Leader-50350 - The Home Depot

It might also help to try from the other direction.
 
 

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