I used wooden dowels outside. What I did was drill the hole tad deeper so the dowel is recessed in. Then used a tiny bit of clear silicone to seal the dowel before putting the clip on.
This video explained exactly the problems I've been having today :) Every time I try to hammer in a cable clip, the nail either bends, flies off or ends up chipping the brick off leaving a nasty damage on the brick. The only problem with the suggestion in this video is that it's difficult to get hold of plastic dowels or nail plugs for doing the job outdoors. Thanks for the handy tip.
You sir are a bloody star, wife had her shop phone line installed and wall full of them blow out holes where they couldn't get clips in, now cable is a toy for kids who walk past to pull on it....till this afternoon when I sort it with this tip. Cheers Frank
Not a bad idea. Good presentation. Hadn't seen this method before, and absolutely fine if you have good access. However, we are still faced with the age old problem of being unable to get a drill bit anywhere close to the join between a wall and another perpendicular wall or wall and ceiling, whilst leaving a hole that isn't at an awkward angle for further fixings. Even a right-angled drill adapter has its limitations due the diameter of the chuck, plus you'll lose the hammer action using one of these. This method still leaves us running cable 1-2 inches from a join... or resorting to trunking. Allowing for the right size of trunking, you can get right into the corners at least, but of course, then there's the added expense and hassle of running trunking. Compromises everywhere. What we need is a physics defying nail. Split the atom. Put a man on the moon. Still can't get a nail that'll go through a solid brick wall. And applause to you sir for being a tradesperson who cares about the final finish. Personally speaking, I can't stand sloppy workmanship.
Spot on great video. Need to sort the virgin cable that was lashed all over the outside of the house. The installer banged the cable clips into the mortar and it's in a right state. Cheers!
Many thanks. I dread trying to hammer cable clips into mortar. My thumb isn't a great fan of it either. This is an excellent tip, and I'm off to Amazon to buy some dowels now.
Started working for a CCTV company recently and this has been a nightmare on outdoor masonry! We've gotten by by stapling cabling to the underside of fascias, but there are certainly some times it would have been far easier and cleaner to attach cables to masonry. Could never work out how the Sky man got those cables tacked so neatly down the wall!
Genius - got a 100 pack of white 6mm plastic dowels ordered, gonna use em on my next job fitting 6mm Cat5e cable on external brick wall around house - thanks!
I'm so, so pleased I found this video. Firstly, as its a nice little trick to keep in mind for clipping cable to brick/masonry, but more importantly, I think you're an A1 fella! And I really admire your delivery and personality. Defo got a subscriber here, as I\m always looking for assistance with my home DIY / Electric stuff. (I'm not pro - I'm a photographer!! But love my home DIY stuff). I hope when I go and look, you're still 'active' on RU-vid!! Legend. Cheers mate.
One useful for nailing smaller clips into slightly less hard brick, or thick plaster without breaking up the surface - use lots of little taps instead of a few big whacks.
Awesome tip Mate, thanks for sharing your idea online with the mass, just had a nightmare trying to clip cable into my exterior wall, hunt is on for these plastic dowels!
What a good idea we'll done mate Been really struggling with this I came from a new build which you could press a cable clip in the wall with your thumb to a 1960s house that's hard as a steel really simple and effective idea bravo sir THANKS!!
I used this method today, seems simple and effective, thanks! It's definitely worth pointing out though that you need to be very gentle when tapping in the dowels. Do it slowly and with minimal force. I may have a few "extra" holes with smashed up wooden dowels half in them. 😅
Thank you very much, I have been trying for forty years to bang clips into walls, this is such a simple idea, and before anyone comments I am not simple, Well done you!
Was just wanting to know this as I have lots off and bricks all messed up around my front door. Was thinking how rubbish it was and why isn’t there something better! I will try and find plastic dowels as I don’t think they have them in Sainsbury’s 😆Great info.... looking forward to more
FANBLOODYTASTIC. Came to your tutorial in the hope that it answered this question, which way up should the flat cable clip be if used on horizontal runs? Nail at the bottom or top? Hoping your safe during the Covid-19 outbreak. 😊
I am writing from Malaysia. Apart from shoddy workmanship, the biggest problem here is that the sunlight renders plastic cable clips so brittle they quickly disintegrate and the cable is left swinging loose. I have been told that there are suitable adhesives but, so far, I have not found any information.
And we've been clipping away into the mortar ... thinking it holds.. come back 12 months (heck probably 2 months) and it's all fallen out.. it only takes the wind to pull the coax cable away.. Thankyou very much. I'll be passing this one on...
I pin plug external walls with 6mm rawl plugs and cleat into them but as I do this for a liviing totally agree lost a few thumb and finger nails trying to bang a cleat In also missed my eyes when they pinged out so great video for rendered or solid mortar walls 👍
Viperfrank love your stuff - Interesting that 1 week after this vid was launched, BS7671:2015 A3 changed the rules. ALL cabling must now be fixed with metal-only supports. Edition 18, January 2018, looks set to make metal fixings compulsory everywhere ... not plastic plugs, not wooden dowels. Probably no more P-clips either.
