Use scrap from fiber-optic cable to fish walls and short passages
Ted Todd, Todd Communications Inc.
If you find that your metal fish tape is too long and too unwieldy for a short pull or a wall that you must fish, use the fiberglass strength member from outdoor-use fiber-optic cable instead of the tape. Simply remove the fiberglass inner rod from a piece of scrap cable, cut the rod to the desired length, and put tape on both ends to keep the rod from fraying. Coil the rod and keep it in your truck; you may be able to take advantage of its non-conductivity more than once.
Ted Todd is president of Todd Communications Inc. (Winston-Salem, NC).