Looking back at how I used to pull wire for years

For the longest time, I thought I was doing it right by just pulling hard and fast, especially on long runs. I was on a job in Cincinnati about five years ago, helping rewire an old factory. We were pulling a big 4/0 feeder, maybe 200 feet. I was yanking on it, and my lead, a guy named Frank, just put his hand on the cable to stop me. He said, 'You're gonna burn the insulation right off, kid. Feel that.' The cable was hot to the touch from the friction. I never even thought about it heating up like that. He showed me how to go slow, use more lube than I thought I needed, and keep a steady pace. It was a simple thing, but it changed how I do every pull now. I see new guys making the same mistake and I always stop them. What's something basic you did wrong for way too long?

2 comments

2 Comments

zarapalmer12d ago

Oh man, my buddy did that with conduit bends for ages. He'd just eyeball it and get so mad when the pipe wouldn't line up. Finally watched a guy use a level on the bender head and it blew his mind. Such a simple fix for a constant headache.

the_dylan12d ago

Tbh I've been that guy eyeballing it and getting mad too.