[butcher733]

So I'm about to be part of another job that involves a large amount of cable tray. I have given up on trying to convince the foreman to use hinge plates instead if custom mitering every offset, you would think that the extra work would be a factor considering that paying two people to run the tray costs over $100/hr. That being said , does anybody have experience with using b-lines pre-made strut packages (cost wise) vs building your own trapeze.

I would also like some input on using these brackets (picture), vs traditional trapeze as far as cost and installation quality are concerned.

 

[daveEM]

Don't piss-off the foreman.

 

[butcher733]

Don't piss-off the foreman.

If we can't have an objective conversation without him getting pissed off that's his problem. He didn't by the way. I'm very tactful.:thumbsup:

 

[chewy]

We use factory 90 bends and hinged plates for ups and downs. A battery circular saw with a finish or alu blade and a speed square is key I find.

 

[butcher733]

We use factory 90 bends and hinged plates for ups and downs. A battery circular saw with a finish or alu blade and a speed square is key I find.

I really like the circular saw idea.

 

[ponyboy]

I really like the circular saw idea.

That's how we cut tray. We only keep 90s, tees, and offsets on hand. I don't know what angle the factory offsets are but they work all the time. And does your foreman have much of a say on what products are being used? One shop I was with wouldn't let me deviate from the bid sheets and another one would if we could show a cost benefit analysis

 

[Lone Crapshooter]

The contractors that work for me use battery RA grinders with a ALUM cutting disc. Seems to do a nice job.

 

[fisstech]

i second the speed square and circ saw method. best way to cut tray. fast, clean, and straight.

i use an irwin quick grip to keep the square tight and straight.

grip and rip!

 

[BlackHowling]

i second the speed square and circ saw method. best way to cut tray. fast, clean, and straight. i use an irwin quick grip to keep the square tight and straight. grip and rip!

Mostly done it this way or with a jig made up, but I did one large job with only premade VI/VO 90s,45s,30s as well as HB 90,45,30. Rarely used the hinges plates.

 

[zac]

We use factory 90 bends and hinged plates for ups and downs. A battery circular saw with a finish or alu blade and a speed square is key I find.

Chewy, you guys use aluminum ladders?

 

[chewy]

Chewy, you guys use aluminum ladders?

Yep, I got lit up on one recently too, dip**** twinks keep dragging them and wearing out the feet. Was pulling cantols in on that very tray I pictured and moved my ladder onto an extension cord, climbed up it but as soon as I touched the bonded tray, bang, lights and the builders tablesaw turns off, lost feeling in my fingers then my hands so I got my boss to drop me off at the emergency room and they did an ECG and all that jazz and told me I had extremely low blood pressure but no signs I had been shocked... I have high blood pressure normally... "come back if anything changes" Im still here so must be ok but worth getting a hand to hand shock checked out apparently.

 

[butcher733]

That's how we cut tray. We only keep 90s, tees, and offsets on hand. I don't know what angle the factory offsets are but they work all the time. And does your foreman have much of a say on what products are being used? One shop I was with wouldn't let me deviate from the bid sheets and another one would if we could show a cost benefit analysis

He has 100% control on ordering. He does the takeoff and ordering.

 

[2dogs]

I don't use hinge plates, I use bonding jumpers, and drop outs to free air the elevation changes if they are under 6 feet.

 

[butcher733]

So none of the thousands of electricians on this site have ever used the hanger clamps in the pic I posted?

 

[dawgs]

So none of the thousands of electricians on this site have ever used the hanger clamps in the pic I posted?

Yes, I've ordered them for jobs. They work well, all packages with what you need. Haven't really checked how cost effective they were. I did it for the time crunch.

 

[dawgs]

So none of the thousands of electricians on this site have ever used the hanger clamps in the pic I posted?

Sorry actually didn't use those. It was the precut strut with hardware and clips we used.

 

[Kryptes]

Used them, liked them and will again. Only issue is suppliers not stocking them.