Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Cable clips on stone wall

1,049 views
Skip to first unread message

Richard Tobin

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 7:52:54 AM9/11/10
to
How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall? If I manage to hit the
nail hard enough to make any impact on the stone, it makes a hole so
big it falls right out.

-- Richard

Ian Jackson

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 8:06:09 AM9/11/10
to
In message <i6fqim$2gad$1...@automatic.inf.ed.ac.uk>, Richard Tobin
<ric...@cogsci.ed.ac.uk> writes

>How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall? If I manage to hit the
>nail hard enough to make any impact on the stone, it makes a hole so
>big it falls right out.
>
I have that problem with my house bricks. They are so hard, that nailing
of any kind is impossible. The 'mortar' is even harder.

Drilling is also a nightmare, but the only way to attach clips is to
first to drill small diameter holes*, plug them with some quick setting
gunge (the plastic type of Plastic Padding works quite well), and then
hammer in the clips. It's all very time-consuming.

*The mortality rate of small masonry drills can be quite high. I must
stop buying them in pound shops.
--
Ian

Andy Burns

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 8:49:43 AM9/11/10
to
Richard Tobin wrote:

> How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall?

Drill a 5mm hole and use pin plugs

http://www.towerman.co.uk/hammerfix.html


Dave Plowman (News)

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 8:51:37 AM9/11/10
to
In article <Xi90a+Tx...@g3ohx.demon.co.uk>,

Ian Jackson <ianREMOVET...@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> *The mortality rate of small masonry drills can be quite high. I must
> stop buying them in pound shops.

Get an SDS drill. The bits on those seem everlasting.

--
*See no evil, Hear no evil, Date no evil.

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News)

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 8:50:55 AM9/11/10
to
In article <i6fqim$2gad$1...@automatic.inf.ed.ac.uk>,

It's a bit long winded, but you can buy wall plugs which get round this.
You drill a hole, insert it then tap the nail into it.

B&Q sell them - but alongside the cable clips rather than ordinary wall
plugs. Made by Tower. Make sure you also have the correct masonry drill -
they're smaller than most fixings.

--
*'ome is where you 'ang your @ *

Robert Wilson

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 9:10:57 AM9/11/10
to
I used to use bits of wooden dowelling....

Rob.

Ken

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 9:15:41 AM9/11/10
to

Use glue.

Ian Jackson

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 10:05:10 AM9/11/10
to
In message <5155159...@davenoise.co.uk>, "Dave Plowman (News)"
<da...@davenoise.co.uk> writes

>In article <Xi90a+Tx...@g3ohx.demon.co.uk>,
> Ian Jackson <ianREMOVET...@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> *The mortality rate of small masonry drills can be quite high. I must
>> stop buying them in pound shops.
>
>Get an SDS drill. The bits on those seem everlasting.
>
Yes. I suppose you get what you pay for (well, sometimes). But I can't
resist some of the stuff in Pound (or even 99p) Shops!
--
Ian

Ian Jackson

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 10:07:05 AM9/11/10
to
In message <5155158...@davenoise.co.uk>, "Dave Plowman (News)"
<da...@davenoise.co.uk> writes

>In article <i6fqim$2gad$1...@automatic.inf.ed.ac.uk>,
> Richard Tobin <ric...@cogsci.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
>> How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall? If I manage to hit the
>> nail hard enough to make any impact on the stone, it makes a hole so
>> big it falls right out.
>
>It's a bit long winded, but you can buy wall plugs which get round this.
>You drill a hole, insert it then tap the nail into it.
>
>B&Q sell them - but alongside the cable clips rather than ordinary wall
>plugs. Made by Tower. Make sure you also have the correct masonry drill -
>they're smaller than most fixings.
>
Ah, I thought there must be something 'proper' to use.
--
Ian

Richard Tobin

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 10:11:15 AM9/11/10
to
In article <5155158...@davenoise.co.uk>,

Dave Plowman (News) <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:

>It's a bit long winded, but you can buy wall plugs which get round this.
>You drill a hole, insert it then tap the nail into it.
>
>B&Q sell them - but alongside the cable clips rather than ordinary wall
>plugs. Made by Tower.

Thanks. That sounds like just the thing.

Annoyingly, I can't find them on the B&Q web site, to check they're
in stock.

-- Richard

Adrian C

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 10:39:36 AM9/11/10
to
On 11/09/2010 14:15, Ken wrote:

>> How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall?
>

> Use glue.
>

The Marky P special all surface solution, No-More-Nails?

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p18700

Glue cable tie bases to the stone, then attach cables.

--
Adrian C

Steve Thackery

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 9:44:04 AM9/11/10
to
"Robert Wilson" wrote in message
news:Ko6dnc9xLpJx4hbR...@brightview.co.uk...

> I used to use bits of wooden dowelling....

Me too. It occurs to me that it will rot away in time, though. When I
worked for BT we used creosote-treated wood plugs (for a slightly different
purpose). Maybe they are available commercially.

But I reckon the plastic ones will be the better long term solution.

SteveT


John Rumm

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 12:18:46 PM9/11/10
to

For the really hard cases, pin plugs. Otherwise use decent clips - tower
are not bad, and try and develop the knack of hitting them just right!

I find you need firm, square on, and "dead" blows, so the hammer comes
to rest on the nail and stays there (perhaps with a small bounce) rather
than letting it recoil away like you were driving a nail into wood.

--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

Steve Thackery

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 11:41:29 AM9/11/10
to
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
news:5155159...@davenoise.co.uk...

>
Get an SDS drill. The bits on those seem everlasting.
<

Yes, although you can sometimes loosen the brick in the wall with one of
those.

SteveT

alexander.keys1

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 2:29:35 PM9/11/10
to

ISTR the proper way to lay small cables, that normally have nailed
clips, on hard walls, is to first screw a strip of wood to the wall,
and nail to that. Or you could fit a length of conduit, you won't need
bends or conduit boxes for sheathed cable, just straight lengths to
provide support and protection where necessary.

harry

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 2:32:37 PM9/11/10
to

You can drill a hole and fit the smallest plastic plugs. They will
hold a nail.

jgharston

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 2:33:53 PM9/11/10
to
Richard Tobin wrote:
> How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall?  If I manage to hit the

Masonry nails.

Frank Erskine

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 2:50:10 PM9/11/10
to

Drill/bash a hole in the wall, hammer in a bit of dowel, then cable
clip to the dowel.

--
Frank Erskine

D.M.Chapman

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:07:41 PM9/11/10
to

Peter Scott

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:16:16 PM9/11/10
to

I use hammer-in cable tie bases, for example eBay 250694479160. I have
the opposite problem of old soft red bricks but the hammer in ones
should work on hard stone as well. You might have to experiment to find
the best size of drill. Great thing is when you want to change the cable
you just cut the cable tie and use a new one around the new cable.

Peter Scott

Ron Lowe

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:17:26 PM9/11/10
to
On 11/09/2010 19:29, alexander.keys1 wrote:

I prefer to use the plastic plugs with tie-wrap slots.

Use an SDS to drill a hole, tap the plug in with a hammer, and tie-wrap
the cable to the plug.

Very fast and convenient.

--
Ron

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:22:09 PM9/11/10
to
On Sep 11, 5:18 pm, John Rumm <see.my.signat...@nowhere.null> wrote:
> On 11/09/2010 12:52, Richard Tobin wrote:
>
> > How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall?  If I manage to hit the
> > nail hard enough to make any impact on the stone, it makes a hole so
> > big it falls right out.
>
> For the really hard cases, pin plugs. Otherwise use decent clips - tower
> are not bad, and try and develop the knack of hitting them just right!
>
> I find you need firm, square on, and "dead" blows, so the hammer comes
> to rest on the nail and stays there (perhaps with a small bounce) rather
> than letting it recoil away like you were driving a nail into wood.

Yes, use clips with stout pins. Tap them in. A lot of little taps,
like this: tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap. The hammer should bounce off the
nail head, so gentle are the taps. Your instinct is to hit hard
because the material's hard, but that doesn't work. Not like this:
BASH BASH BASH BASH. Some say it's like sex. I wouldn't
know; can't remember.

And please do be careful with your eyes. The energy in that hammer
head when transferred to that tiny nail head means that if the latter
breaks off it will fly like a bullet. If it goes in your eye you'll
likely lose the sight in it. Goggles please!

Bill

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:23:00 PM9/11/10
to
On Sep 11, 4:41 pm, "Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote:
> "Dave Plowman (News)"  wrote in messagenews:5155159...@davenoise.co.uk...

>
>
>
> Get an SDS drill. The bits on those seem everlasting.
> <
>
> Yes, although you can sometimes loosen the brick in the wall with one of
> those.
>
> SteveT

Yes it's hysterical when it goes down a sooty chimney. They all come
out to tell you about it, looking like nigger minstrels.

Bill

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:25:45 PM9/11/10
to
Now here's a thing. If you're caught out with no plugs or anything, if
you drill a hole just a few mm deep and then tap the nail into it,
often the nail will penetrate further and will fix OK. Bricks must be
hardest near the surface.

Also the vertical mortar joints are often softer than the horizontal
ones.

Bill

Jim K

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:29:32 PM9/11/10
to
On 11 Sep, 20:07, dmc@puffin. (D.M.Chapman) wrote:
> In article <d89cdb7f-f472-4876-876c-3f883f0a7...@a30g2000vbt.googlegroups.com>,

>
>
>
> harry <haroldhr...@aol.com> wrote:
> >On 11 Sep, 19:29, "alexander.keys1" <alexander.ke...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> On 11 Sep, 12:52, rich...@cogsci.ed.ac.uk (Richard Tobin) wrote:
>
> >> > How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall? If I manage to hit the
> >> > nail hard enough to make any impact on the stone, it makes a hole so
> >> > big it falls right out.
>
> >> > -- Richard
>
> >> ISTR the proper way to lay small cables, that normally have nailed
> >> clips, on hard walls, is to first screw a strip of wood to the wall,
> >> and nail to that. Or you could fit a length of conduit, you won't need
> >> bends or conduit boxes for sheathed cable, just straight lengths to
> >> provide support and protection where necessary.
>
> >You can drill a hole and fit the smallest plastic plugs. They will
> >hold a nail.
>
> Yep, drill small hole, push in a pin plug and then use normal cable clip.
>
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100-Pin-Plugs-For-Fixing-Cable-Clips-Into-Hard-...
>
> (http://preview.tinyurl.com/pinplugas a slightly nicer URL)

or just

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/300329169864

;>)
Jim K

Ken

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:34:04 PM9/11/10
to

D.M.Chapman

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:53:57 PM9/11/10
to
In article <ac52eb14-7d20-40b2...@a19g2000vbi.googlegroups.com>,
Jim K <jk98...@googlemail.com> wrote:

>http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/300329169864

Ah yes, that's a bit better ta

I'm not very good with these computer things ;-)

Darren


Dave Liquorice

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 4:12:32 PM9/11/10
to
On Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:16:16 +0100, Peter Scott wrote:

> I use hammer-in cable tie bases, for example eBay 250694479160.

Also available from Toolstation, Screwfix, TLC etc. I have
Toolstation ones, they need a 9mm hole in sandstone. 9mm SDS drills
are not carried in any of the sheds I looked in...

> Great thing is when you want to change the cable you just cut the cable
> tie and use a new one around the new cable.

And being all plastic won't rust and fail like nails will. Only use
plastic, brass or stainless steel for fixings outside or in places
that may get even slightly damp.

--
Cheers
Dave.

Andy Burns

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 4:17:21 PM9/11/10
to
Dave Liquorice wrote:

> On Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:16:16 +0100, Peter Scott wrote:
>
>> I use hammer-in cable tie bases, for example eBay 250694479160.
>

>> Great thing is when you want to change the cable you just cut the cable
>> tie and use a new one around the new cable.
>
> And being all plastic won't rust and fail like nails will.

but use good quality black cable ties, otherwise UV will make them go
brittle and drop apart.

js.b1

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 4:17:40 PM9/11/10
to
Drill to take a small rawlplug, use a black P-clip just big enough for
the cable (eg, 1/8", 3/16", 1/4"), use a small stainless screw (#6).
You can pick up the black P-clips & small packs of stainless #6 screws
on Ebay.

Fix to the vertical mortar points so the cable runs in the mortar line
(P-clip will offset the cable).

This way the cable can be replaced easily without ripping chunks out
of the wall with nails. Done carefully it can be very neat - P-clips
allow adjustment to avoid festooning (dip-dip-dip).

Richard Tobin

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 4:26:30 PM9/11/10
to
In article <3d14c286-f666-46e2...@k9g2000vbo.googlegroups.com>,
js.b1 <js...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

>Fix to the vertical mortar points so the cable runs in the mortar line

Your stone walls must be fancier than mine.

- Richard

Cash

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 4:35:01 PM9/11/10
to

Reply to alexander.ke...@gmail through harry as I have killfiled google
posts to reduce spam.

alexander, simply nail into the black mortar/cement joints (using long
masonary nails as necessary) - the cable clip fixings will not be equally
spaced, but better that than damage the stone work.

This by the way, is the normal practice for me (and I nail into the cement
joints on brickwork too), but others may differ.

Cash


Adrian C

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 4:45:27 PM9/11/10
to

That probably won't stand temperature and condensation.

How about Gorilla Glue?
http://www.gorillaglue.com/glues/gorillaglue/index.aspx

--
Adrian C

js.b1

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 5:11:53 PM9/11/10
to
On Sep 11, 9:26 pm, rich...@cogsci.ed.ac.uk (Richard Tobin) wrote:
> In article <3d14c286-f666-46e2-a7e4-3a03b3306...@k9g2000vbo.googlegroups.com>,

> js.b1 <js...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> >Fix to the vertical mortar points so the cable runs in the mortar line
>
> Your stone walls must be fancier than mine.

Or whatever line you want :-)

My point being the P-clip will offset the cable from the screw line,
so if you screw it into a horizontal mortar line the cable may appear
to increase the thickness of the mortar line and so make the cable
more obvious. It is however better than nail clips which tend to
corrode & blow out taking a pyramid of mortar, just fall out, or
generally not go in in the first place.

R. Mark Clayton

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 5:40:44 PM9/11/10
to

"Richard Tobin" <ric...@cogsci.ed.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:i6fqim$2gad$1...@automatic.inf.ed.ac.uk...

> How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall? If I manage to hit the
> nail hard enough to make any impact on the stone, it makes a hole so
> big it falls right out.
>
> -- Richard
>

Another approach is to clean the stone and [super] glue them on


Steve Terry

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 5:50:29 PM9/11/10
to
"wrights...@aol.com" <wrights...@f2s.com> wrote in message
news:dcf999dc-6cc4-4cac...@f26g2000vbm.googlegroups.com...
Oi! Don't go around using offensive language like "minstrels".

Steve Terry
--
"I would like to plead for my right to investigate natural phenomena
without having guns pointed at me.
I also ask for the right to be wrong without being hanged for it."
- Wilhelm Reich, November 1947


Steve Thackery

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 3:38:49 PM9/11/10
to
"wrights...@aol.com" wrote in message
news:2c1b9207-07b5-4d49...@c16g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...

> Bricks must be hardest near the surface.

Yep, they are, so I was told by a builder.

>>
Also the vertical mortar joints are often softer than the horizontal
ones.
<<

That's interesting. I wonder why.

SteveT

Dave Plowman (News)

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 6:39:15 PM9/11/10
to
In article <i6g2m3$2jp5$1...@automatic.inf.ed.ac.uk>,
Richard Tobin <ric...@cogsci.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
> In article <5155158...@davenoise.co.uk>,
> Dave Plowman (News) <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:

> >It's a bit long winded, but you can buy wall plugs which get round this.
> >You drill a hole, insert it then tap the nail into it.
> >
> >B&Q sell them - but alongside the cable clips rather than ordinary wall
> >plugs. Made by Tower.

> Thanks. That sounds like just the thing.

> Annoyingly, I can't find them on the B&Q web site, to check they're
> in stock.

Right. Should have said they once sold them. Perhaps the space was needed
for more fluffy cushions.

--
*A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory.

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News)

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 6:40:35 PM9/11/10
to
In article <GrqdnX0LqIOFMRbR...@bt.com>,

Early warning things need fixing, then. ;-)

--
*When companies ship Styrofoam, what do they pack it in? *

Frank Erskine

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 6:45:53 PM9/11/10
to

Possibly because the horizontal mortar is being compressed as it
"sets" by the bricks above. The vertical mortat just does its own
thing.

--
Frank Erskine

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 7:10:37 PM9/11/10
to
On Sep 11, 9:12 pm, "Dave Liquorice" <allsortsnotthis...@howhill.com>
wrote:

Normal cable clips have normal steel pins, and I've never known them
fail due to rust.

Bill

m...@privacy.net

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 7:09:13 PM9/11/10
to
On 11 Sep,
Frank Erskine <frank....@btinternet.com> wrote:

> Possibly because the horizontal mortar is being compressed as it
> "sets" by the bricks above. The vertical mortat just does its own
> thing.

More likely the 'economical' way of buttering the perpends. Just a narrow
strip on front and rear rather than a full dollop. A few years down the line
and a re-point is necessary.

--
B Thumbs
Change lycos to yahoo to reply

Java Jive

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 8:15:19 PM9/11/10
to
Unless it's changed since I last fought with it, B&Q have simply the
worst website in the world. ISTR I once looked for something like
electrical cable there, and was informed they don't sell it!

You'd best ring up or go down there.

On Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:11:15 +0000 (UTC), ric...@cogsci.ed.ac.uk
(Richard Tobin) wrote:
>
> In article <5155158...@davenoise.co.uk>,
> Dave Plowman (News) <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> >B&Q sell them - but alongside the cable clips rather than ordinary wall
> >plugs. Made by Tower.
>
> Thanks. That sounds like just the thing.
>
> Annoyingly, I can't find them on the B&Q web site, to check they're
> in stock.

--
=========================================================
Please always reply to ng as the email in this post's
header does not exist. Or use a contact address at:
http://www.macfh.co.uk/JavaJive/JavaJive.html
http://www.macfh.co.uk/Macfarlane/Macfarlane.html

The Natural Philosopher

unread,
Sep 11, 2010, 8:35:01 PM9/11/10
to
alexander.keys1 wrote:
> On 11 Sep, 12:52, rich...@cogsci.ed.ac.uk (Richard Tobin) wrote:
>> How do you attach cable clips to a stone wall? If I manage to hit the
>> nail hard enough to make any impact on the stone, it makes a hole so
>> big it falls right out.
>>
>> -- Richard
>
> ISTR the proper way to lay small cables, that normally have nailed
> clips, on hard walls, is to first screw a strip of wood to the wall,
> and nail to that. Or you could fit a length of conduit, you won't need
> bends or conduit boxes for sheathed cable, just straight lengths to
> provide support and protection where necessary.

Not car body filler. Not angle grinder, HILTI GUN.

Dave Liquorice

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 4:40:33 AM9/12/10
to
On Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:10:37 -0700 (PDT), wrights...@aol.com
wrote:

> Normal cable clips have normal steel pins, and I've never known them
> fail due to rust.

I might take a photo of the run of clips along the outside here later
on, the nail heads are just a large red rusty lump. OK they are still
holding but it's only a matter of time before they do fail and
removal will no doubt cause spalling at each one due to the
expansion.

Anything "ordinary steel" outside here will be seriously rusty within
5 years. The quality of galvanised stuff is very variable, some
things are just as installed (but not many) others are rusty.

I'm of the "if a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing properly, once".

--
Cheers
Dave.

Ian Jackson

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 4:55:12 AM9/12/10
to
In message
<d7b82ee4-ef62-45e7...@v23g2000vbi.googlegroups.com>,
"wrights...@aol.com" <wrights...@f2s.com> writes
But are they 'normal' steel? They seem a minty bit harder (a bit like
OBO masonry nails) - apart from those you buy in the 'pound' shops!

BTW, I'd never heard of 'pin plugs'. I have used the smallest size
plastic 'Rawlplug' type, but the hole is usually too large for small
pins, and need plugging (hence my laborious directly plugging of the
hole first with decay-proof Plastic Padding (instead of wood).

Pin plugs sound ideal - if B&G really have them.
--
Ian

Richard Tobin

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 4:59:17 AM9/12/10
to
In article <51554b6...@davenoise.co.uk>,

Dave Plowman (News) <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:

>Right. Should have said they once sold them. Perhaps the space was needed
>for more fluffy cushions.

I got some. Next to the cable clips, as you said.

-- Richard

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 10:08:55 AM9/12/10
to
On Sep 12, 9:40 am, "Dave Liquorice" <allsortsnotthis...@howhill.com>
wrote:
> On Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:10:37 -0700 (PDT), wrightsaeri...@aol.com

I too am of that persuasion, but the industry uses steel pinned clips
exclusively, and no-one seems to have a problem. I have pulled 40 year
old cable off the wall and the pins have snapped due to corrosion, but
coax only has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years anyway.

Do you live on the coast?

Bill

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 10:10:37 AM9/12/10
to
On Sep 12, 9:55 am, Ian Jackson
<ianREMOVETHISjack...@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> In message
> <d7b82ee4-ef62-45e7-b992-e71640282...@v23g2000vbi.googlegroups.com>,
> "wrightsaeri...@aol.com" <wrightsaeri...@f2s.com> writes

> >Normal cable clips have normal steel pins, and I've never known them
> >fail due to rust.
>
> But are they 'normal' steel? They seem a minty bit harder (a bit like
> OBO masonry nails) - apart from those you buy in the 'pound' shops!

They are a very hard type of steel, which is why the heads can break
off and fly like a bullet.

Bill

Dickie Mint

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 11:14:26 AM9/12/10
to
On 11/09/2010 13:50, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

> It's a bit long winded, but you can buy wall plugs which get round this.
> You drill a hole, insert it then tap the nail into it.
>

> B&Q sell them - but alongside the cable clips rather than ordinary wall

> plugs. Made by Tower. Make sure you also have the correct masonry drill -
> they're smaller than most fixings.
>
Or Screwfix : http://tinyurl.com/3ypkvl9

Richard

Dave

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 11:18:45 AM9/12/10
to
On 11/09/2010 19:32, harry wrote:
> You can drill a hole and fit the smallest plastic plugs. They will
> hold a nail.

I've never seen anything smaller that a yellow plastic plug. Is that the
one?

Dave

Ian Jackson

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 11:36:07 AM9/12/10
to
In message <i6ir0m$1jn$1...@news.eternal-september.org>, Dave
<dave...@btopenworld.com> writes
The small yellow one is OK for the smaller OBO nails, but the hole is
too big for the pins of 'normal-sized' cable clips. You have to plug
them - which rather defeats the object of using them in the first place.
--
Ian

Bob Eager

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 12:51:29 PM9/12/10
to

http://www.aerialsuperstore.co.uk/nailing-plugs-box-of-100-uni-fix-261-
p.asp


--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

*lightning protection* - a w_tom conductor

Richard Tobin

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 12:53:22 PM9/12/10
to
In article <8f492l...@mid.individual.net>,
Dickie Mint <richard_ta...@trapyahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>> It's a bit long winded, but you can buy wall plugs which get round this.
>> You drill a hole, insert it then tap the nail into it.
>>
>> B&Q sell them - but alongside the cable clips rather than ordinary wall
>> plugs. Made by Tower. Make sure you also have the correct masonry drill -
>> they're smaller than most fixings.

>Or Screwfix : http://tinyurl.com/3ypkvl9

Those are the ones for attached cable ties, not cable clips.

-- Richard

Dave Plowman (News)

unread,
Sep 12, 2010, 7:09:07 PM9/12/10
to
In article <8f27fk...@mid.individual.net>,

Cash <.............\\@...............//.com> wrote:
> alexander, simply nail into the black mortar/cement joints (using long
> masonary nails as necessary) - the cable clip fixings will not be
> equally spaced, but better that than damage the stone work.

> This by the way, is the normal practice for me (and I nail into the
> cement joints on brickwork too), but others may differ.

Try that on most Victorian house and you'll just knock chunks out of the
pointing. The mortar is lime and often just has a thin portland cement
layer as pointing. The bricks are usually softer.

--
*Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine*

Dave Liquorice

unread,
Sep 13, 2010, 5:00:42 AM9/13/10
to
On Sun, 12 Sep 2010 16:18:45 +0100, Dave wrote:

> I've never seen anything smaller that a yellow plastic plug. Is that the
> one?

No you can get pin plugs but if you're going to the hassle of
drilling a hole why not use the cable tie anchors and be done with
it? Should you need to change the cable just snip the ties remove
cable, replace and use new ties. Can't do that with rusted in P
clips...

--
Cheers
Dave.

Dave Liquorice

unread,
Sep 13, 2010, 4:58:36 AM9/13/10
to
On Sun, 12 Sep 2010 07:08:55 -0700 (PDT), wrights...@aol.com
wrote:

>> I'm of the "if a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing properly,
once".
>
> I too am of that persuasion, but the industry uses steel pinned clips
> exclusively, and no-one seems to have a problem.

Ah it's the good old builders, this is quick and simple but will fail
down the line but I won't have to fix it so I don't care or if I do
have to fix it it'll be so far down the line that I can charge for
fixing it...

> I have pulled 40 year old cable off the wall and the pins have snapped
> due to corrosion,

And you left the broken bits of pin in the wall to corode away more
and eventually spall the surface. See above...

> Do you live on the coast?

No on top of a hill and exposed. Rain and hill fog is pretty
frequent.

Couple of screws I removed from the same down spout bracket
yesterday, one brass, one
steel:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allsorts-60/4985523539/in/set-72157624945
731244/

Second image in that set one screw is braely recognisable as a
screw... The modern twin thread on the right has faired reasonably
well but had to be cut out of the plastic plug, it wouldn't unscrew.

I moved the house name plate the other week. That had been fitted
with brass screws, they simple unscrewed. That had probably been in
place 20 or 30 years...
--
Cheers
Dave.

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 13, 2010, 2:51:08 PM9/13/10
to
On Sep 13, 9:58 am, "Dave Liquorice" <allsortsnotthis...@howhill.com>
wrote:
> On Sun, 12 Sep 2010 07:08:55 -0700 (PDT), wrightsaeri...@aol.com

> wrote:
>
>
>
> >> I'm of the "if a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing properly,
> once".
>
> > I too am of that persuasion, but the industry uses steel pinned clips
> > exclusively, and no-one seems to have a problem.
>
> Ah it's the good old builders, this is quick and simple but will fail
> down the line but I won't have to fix it so I don't care or if I do
> have to fix it it'll be so far down the line that I can charge for
> fixing it...
That's unreasonable. Cable clips are not the items that fail in an
aerial installation.

>
> > I have pulled 40 year old cable off the wall and the pins have snapped
> > due to corrosion,
>
> And you left the broken bits of pin in the wall to corode away more
> and eventually spall the surface. See above...

That doesn't seem to be a problem in reality.

I can't ever remember a customer complaining about steel-pinned cable
clips. They appear to provide a 100% customer-satisfying fixing. Who
am I. or you, to tell people that they have to spend extra on
something that is already totally satisfactory?

The object of the exercise it to provide a service -- a good service
that's tailored to people's requirements. Not to change the world. I'd
like it if every distribution system had a full set of channel filter/
levellers, but it ain't gonna happen.

Bill

Martin Bonner

unread,
Sep 14, 2010, 8:31:49 AM9/14/10
to
On Sep 13, 12:09 am, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk>
wrote:
> In article <8f27fkF3v...@mid.individual.net>,

>    Cash <.............\\@...............//.com> wrote:
> > (and I nail into the cement joints on brickwork too),
>
> Try that on most Victorian house and you'll just knock chunks out of the
> pointing. The mortar is lime and often just has a thin portland cement
> layer as pointing. The bricks are usually softer.

But if you knock out the portland cement pointing, you can repoint
with lime mortar (which is even softer than soft brick), and then nail
into that (and freeze-thaw won't damage your bricks any more).

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 14, 2010, 3:32:27 PM9/14/10
to
You just wouldn't believe it!

I don't keep the recently discussed pin plugs in the van, but have
decided to do so, despite thinking that they will only get used once a
blue moon. Then today, in a place 80 miles from home that takes an
hour to get into and an hour to get out of, I found that I had to clip
a cable 50ft along a concrete internal wall. There was no chance of
clips going in -- the wall was so hard it was actually slow to drill.
Push in cable tie holders and ties would have looked dreadful. In the
end I cut the heads of some push-ins and used the stems as pin plugs.
It worked fine.

Bill

Dave Plowman (News)

unread,
Sep 14, 2010, 6:45:26 PM9/14/10
to
In article
<0d998dba-c575-4109...@q18g2000vbm.googlegroups.com>,

Martin Bonner <martin...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> > Try that on most Victorian house and you'll just knock chunks out of
> > the pointing. The mortar is lime and often just has a thin portland
> > cement layer as pointing. The bricks are usually softer.

> But if you knock out the portland cement pointing, you can repoint
> with lime mortar (which is even softer than soft brick), and then nail
> into that (and freeze-thaw won't damage your bricks any more).

Maybe, but this house was pointed with Portland mortar long before I
bought it and I've been here over 30 years. Using lime mortar (again) is a
recent fad.

But then I don't nail things into it. Or bricks, come to that. Sure way to
split them.

--
*The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.

Dave Plowman (News)

unread,
Sep 14, 2010, 6:47:12 PM9/14/10
to
In article
<c608ff06-2d0c-4e33...@y31g2000vbt.googlegroups.com>,

Sounds like a job for SDS man.

--
*Can fat people go skinny-dipping?

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 14, 2010, 10:36:37 PM9/14/10
to
On Sep 14, 11:47 pm, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk>
wrote:
> In article
> <c608ff06-2d0c-4e33-82ab-1a4466f67...@y31g2000vbt.googlegroups.com>,

>    wrightsaeri...@aol.com <wrightsaeri...@f2s.com> wrote:
>
> > You just wouldn't believe it!
> > I don't keep the recently discussed pin plugs in the van, but have
> > decided to do so, despite thinking that they will only get used once a
> > blue moon. Then today, in a place 80 miles from home that takes an
> > hour to get into and an hour to get out of, I found that I had to clip
> > a cable 50ft along a concrete internal wall. There was no chance of
> > clips going in -- the wall was so hard it was actually slow to drill.
> > Push in cable tie holders and ties would have looked dreadful. In the
> > end I cut the heads of some push-ins and used the stems as pin plugs.
> > It worked fine.
>
> Sounds like a job for SDS man.

Bosch 24VRE, new SDS bit, new battery. Operative a bit worn out
though.

Bill

PeterC

unread,
Sep 15, 2010, 2:51:15 AM9/15/10
to

You need a regrind ;-)
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

Dave Plowman (News)

unread,
Sep 15, 2010, 5:59:26 AM9/15/10
to
In article
<ba3645e4-a6bf-49cd...@y31g2000vbt.googlegroups.com>,

You need a decent mains SDS for hard materials. Battery ones ain't got the
oomph. But I do realise the problems there in your job.

--
*Sleep with a photographer and watch things develop

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 15, 2010, 12:00:14 PM9/15/10
to
On Sep 15, 10:59 am, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk>
wrote:
> In article
> <ba3645e4-a6bf-49cd-a1dc-8597a4b6b...@y31g2000vbt.googlegroups.com>,

>    wrightsaeri...@aol.com <wrightsaeri...@f2s.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Sep 14, 11:47 pm, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk>
> > wrote:
> > > In article
> > > <c608ff06-2d0c-4e33-82ab-1a4466f67...@y31g2000vbt.googlegroups.com>,
> > >    wrightsaeri...@aol.com <wrightsaeri...@f2s.com> wrote:
>
> > > > You just wouldn't believe it! I don't keep the recently discussed
> > > > pin plugs in the van, but have decided to do so, despite thinking
> > > > that they will only get used once a blue moon. Then today, in a
> > > > place 80 miles from home that takes an hour to get into and an hour
> > > > to get out of, I found that I had to clip a cable 50ft along a
> > > > concrete internal wall. There was no chance of clips going in -- the
> > > > wall was so hard it was actually slow to drill. Push in cable tie
> > > > holders and ties would have looked dreadful. In the end I cut the
> > > > heads of some push-ins and used the stems as pin plugs. It worked
> > > > fine.
>
> > > Sounds like a job for SDS man.
> > Bosch 24VRE, new SDS bit, new battery. Operative a bit worn out
> > though.
>
> You need a decent mains SDS for hard materials. Battery ones ain't got the
> oomph. But I do realise the problems there in your job.

I don't have problems drilling any material, within reason. I would
use a 110V SDS drill for repeated work using large diameter SDS bits
or for a masonry-cutting core drill, but for anything upto 18mm
diameter the 24V DC drill is fine. When I said drilling the holes in
concrete was 'slow' I didn't mean it took ages, just that it was a bit
slower than drilling brick, perhaps 8 to 12 secs for an 8mm x 30mm
hole. I drilled 50 of the bastard things anyway!

Modern battery SDS drills are very good.

Bill

stuart noble

unread,
Sep 15, 2010, 12:27:31 PM9/15/10
to

So I guess you're allowed to clamber about on roofs without the need for
scaffolding? I know roofers and chimney sweeps do it all the time, but
is there some kind of cut off point beyond which HSE requires scaffolding?

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 15, 2010, 3:41:37 PM9/15/10
to
On Sep 15, 5:27 pm, stuart noble <stuart_no...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> On 15/09/2010 17:00, wrightsaeri...@aol.com wrote:
> So I guess you're allowed to clamber about on roofs without the need for
> scaffolding? I know roofers and chimney sweeps do it all the time, but
> is there some kind of cut off point beyond which HSE requires scaffolding?- Hide quoted text -

I'm not sure how we got here from a discussion about battery drills,
but we have to obey H & S like everyone else. There are certain
activities where scaffolding would be essential, certain ones where it
wouldn't contribute to safety, and ones where it's debatable. We tend
to use access machinery more than scaffolding because the work is
usually of short duration.

Bill

m...@privacy.net

unread,
Sep 15, 2010, 6:58:18 PM9/15/10
to
On 15 Sep,
stuart noble <stuart...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> So I guess you're allowed to clamber about on roofs without the need for
> scaffolding? I know roofers and chimney sweeps do it all the time, but
> is there some kind of cut off point beyond which HSE requires scaffolding?

A risk assessment needs to be made. If the job takes more than half an hour a
ladder is unacceptable for access so scaffolding or cherry picker is needed,
or else (for window cleaners etc.) a system for doing the job from ground
level.

--
B Thumbs
Change lycos to yahoo to reply

stuart noble

unread,
Sep 16, 2010, 3:56:49 AM9/16/10
to

It seems roofers can spend 2-3 days doing flashing, re-pointing etc off
a ladder, but need scaffolding to re-tile a whole roof. None of it makes
sense to me. Half an hour is more than enough time to have an accident.
It's either safe or it isn't

stuart noble

unread,
Sep 16, 2010, 4:00:48 AM9/16/10
to
On 15/09/2010 20:41, wrights...@aol.com wrote:
> On Sep 15, 5:27 pm, stuart noble<stuart_no...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> On 15/09/2010 17:00, wrightsaeri...@aol.com wrote:
>> So I guess you're allowed to clamber about on roofs without the need for
>> scaffolding? I know roofers and chimney sweeps do it all the time, but
>> is there some kind of cut off point beyond which HSE requires scaffolding?- Hide quoted text -
>
> I'm not sure how we got here from a discussion about battery drills,


That's usenet for you

> but we have to obey H& S like everyone else. There are certain

Andy Burns

unread,
Sep 16, 2010, 4:05:53 AM9/16/10
to
stuart noble wrote:

> On 15/09/2010 20:41, wrights...@aol.com wrote:
>
>> I'm not sure how we got here from a discussion about battery drills,
>
> That's usenet for you

Dunno if Bill's spotted the xpost to uk.d-i-y? No recommendations for
angle grinders to remove rusted cable clips yet ...

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 16, 2010, 11:39:23 AM9/16/10
to
On Sep 16, 9:05 am, Andy Burns <usenet.aug2...@adslpipe.co.uk> wrote:
> stuart noble wrote:
> > On 15/09/2010 20:41, wrightsaeri...@aol.com wrote:
>
> >> I'm not sure how we got here from a discussion about battery drills,
>
> > That's usenet for you
>
> Dunno if Bill's spotted the xpost to uk.d-i-y?  No recommendations for
> angle grinders to remove rusted cable clips yet ...

No, I tend to not spot things.

Bill

Paul Ratcliffe

unread,
Sep 16, 2010, 12:04:40 PM9/16/10
to
On Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:58:18 +0100, <m...@privacy.net> <m...@privacy.net> wrote:

> A risk assessment needs to be made. If the job takes more than half an hour a
> ladder is unacceptable for access so scaffolding or cherry picker is needed,

So you can't fall off in the first half hour eh? Did anyone tell gravity?

Dave Liquorice

unread,
Sep 17, 2010, 2:56:56 AM9/17/10
to
On Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:56:49 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

> It seems roofers can spend 2-3 days doing flashing, re-pointing etc off
> a ladder, but need scaffolding to re-tile a whole roof.

The scaffolding for a re-tile is so they don't have to lower the
tiles to the ground and haul 'em back up again, if reusing the
existing tiles.

--
Cheers
Dave.

wrights...@f2s.com

unread,
Sep 17, 2010, 8:05:33 AM9/17/10
to
On Sep 16, 5:04 pm, Paul Ratcliffe <ab...@orac12.clara34.co56.uk78>
wrote:

It's because there's more risk attached to transporting and erecting
scaffolding, and then removing it afterwards, than there is attached
to erecting a ladder. So there has to be a safety 'break even' point
between ladders and scaffolding.

Bill

0 new messages