Condoit bending

[Knobhead]

The biggest problem I’ve had was the works stores. I’d got a hogshead barrel of tallow squirreled away in a corner. It must have been there since the 30’s. Used for conduit threading and paper-lead jointing. Rats were a problem, but I wouldn’t let them throw the tallow away.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Tallow's alright, if someone else is supplying the dies.

 

[davelerave]

I know how it feels mate, i must look like a right case but i can't help it.

I must admit though by gazing upwards i have seen many different types of support systems etc, that i haven't known were on the market which has helped me out big style.

i'm at it too-sometimes i bring a notepad

 

[Knobhead]

I moved to a new company and not long after I started, I was asked to joint a cable. I’d got my moleskin, lead beater, etc, but no Russian Tallow.
Beef dripping works just as well, smells better as well!

 

[Engineer54]

Lead sheathed cable jointing, ..Now that is an art in itself, and a dying art too!! Seen many performed, alas never had the opportunity to have a go myself. Are they still using lead joints these days, or is it all now converted lead to plastic joints?? Seen a lot of them as well, and a few failures using them too!! lol!!

 

[Knobhead]

To be honest it scares your ******** when the cable is made live for the first time after a repair. Beating (dressing) the lead down to the cable is the real art.

A real funny was sitting in the canteen and wondering why there was a cloud of smoke rising from where I was doing a 3.3KV joint. Electricians mate had set fire to the tent while cooking his breakfast. My big wooden tool chest went up in flames as well!

 

[Penance]

I was shown both bending vice and railway sleeper techniques at college, shame I've always been crap at conduit!

 

[Knobhead]

I was doing quite a big refurbishment of a substation all the existing conduit was black japanned. What do I end up with, ****** galvanised and one electricians mate well ****** off when I made him paint it all black. It looked the dogs ******** when we finished, even he was proud of it. One bit that peed me off is I couldn’t get hold of the old cast saddles and had to use the pressed rubbish. They just didn’t look right along side the original stuff.