wendyk56•14d agoProlific Poster

That $15 fish tape from Harbor Freight actually works better than my Klein

Was fighting a tough conduit run in an old building downtown. My Klein tape kept binding up. Grabbed the cheap HF one as a backup. Thing glides through 90 degree turns like butter. Never thought I'd say that.

3 comments

3 Comments

finleym4313d ago

You ever try spraying a little silicone lube on your Klein tape? I had the same problem with mine binding up in old EMT. I hit it with some dry lube and it started sliding way better. But I still keep a cheap tape in my bag for the really tight spots. Sometimes the stiff steel on the budget ones works better because it doesn't kink as easy. The HF one has a thinner profile too which helps in those tight 90s. I swapped back and forth for a week before I just left the cheap one in my pouch.

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blair59713d ago

That Klein tape with the little silicone trick is a game changer now that you mention it. I used to be the guy who hated on the cheap tapes, swore by the heavy duty ones for everything. Then I ran a few hundred feet of old EMT in a tight attic and the Klein kept grabbing on every little burr (drives me nuts). Took your advice and grabbed a cheap HF tape just for those spots, and it slides right through without a hitch. Still keep the Klein for open work, but I get it now. Sometimes the budget tool is the right tool.

umar5912d ago

@blair597 pretty much nailed it with that silicone trick though. I've been doing the same thing for years now, but I actually go one step further and put a light coat of wax on the first few feet of my Klein tape. The silicone helps with the sliding but the wax makes it last longer between re-applications. It's a real pain in the ass when you're up on a ladder and the tape keeps catching on a burr and you gotta wiggle it loose. The cheap HF tape is honestly perfect for those nasty old runs where you know the pipe is beat up. I keep one in my truck specifically for the jobs where I know the conduit is gonna fight back. Saves me from cussing out my good tape for no reason.