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Poking Wires Through Foam
From Michael W:
Sticking wiring through 2″ thick styrofoam can be testing for any of us. However there are a couple of easy methods. Use a knitting needle and thread the end of the stripped 22-gauge wire through the eye. Then push the needle through the top of the foam and pull it out from underneath with the wire attached. A sailmaker’s needle will work just as well if the wife doesn’t like you borrowing her knitting needles. Coating the knitting needle with some rubbing alcohol will help it slide through easier.
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The local fabric shop sells 3-3/4″ “Doll Needles” which I find works very well. The eyes of the needles are large enough for 22 gauge wire (maybe even 20 gauge) and they are long enough to easily pass through 3 inches of rigid foam with enough room to grab the point with a pair of pliers.
I make the hole large enough to place a piece of drinking straw through it. This makes it much easier to pass your wire through the foam.
I agree and do the same, works great
I also use the straw technique, so simple (after I finish my milkshake!)
I use a 3 inch long 1/8th or 3/16th dia. slow speed drill through the 2 inch thick foam and underlayment.
I think you mean a large needlepoint needle. All of my wife’s knitting needles–my only frame of reference!!–are semi-pointed at one end with a head on the other–no eye for the wire to go thru. Also they are about 1/4 inch in diameter, although there are lots of different sizes.
Used to work in a lawyers office and the ideal tool for your needs is a lawyers bodkin, this is a large handled thick needle with an eye for threading legal tape into files works well for making holes or threading wire, don’t know what I’d do without mine, probably one of my most used items when wiring.Should be available from most legal suppliers/ stationers.