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If you are certain no wires, plumbing, ducting, etc. are present you may
proceed.
There are differing methods of drilling the top/sole plates. The two
methods we will cover are referred to as the "45 degree method" and the
"flexi-bit method".
The "45 degree method" is illustrated in figures 10 & 11. Use a long
(12" or so) drill bit (twist drill type) about 1/8" in diameter and drill a hole
up/down at a 45-degree angle (figure 10). When the bit is visible coming
in at the 45-degree angle above the ceiling or below the floor, you should
be able to judge the approximate middle of the 2" x 4" plate. This method
is most often used for finding sole plates or the bottoms of interior walls
for access up from the basement crawl space area. This is because the
sole plates are not visible from below the floor as the top plates are
generally visible from above the ceiling.
The "45 degree method" may also be used as shown in figure 10 to locate
the top plates or tops of walls if access will be via the upper attic crawl
space. However, because the top plates are generally visible from above
and because it leaves a small hole (which is easily filled with a dab of
spackle) the "45 degree method" is not as popular above as it is below.
Using the "45 degree method" on top plates is used mostly for volume
control wire paths.
The "45 degree method" does not work for exterior walls however it is
quite simple to determine the location of exterior walls.
The "flexi-bit method" is a popular way of drilling the top sole plates.
This method uses an extra long bit to drill up through the top plates or
down through the sole plates by gaining access to the inside of the wall
via the speaker-mounting hole (figure 12).
Special long drill bits generically referred to as "flexi-bits" are available
in various lengths from 1 foot to 8 feet. These come in various bore sizes
and with various "tip patterns". Professionals, while drilling with this
method, are able to "feel" when the bit is about to fully pierce through the
sole plate/sub floor or the top of the top top plate (there are two top
plates). The professional feels this by the decrease in spin resistance to
the drilling or boring of the wood. Once this is "felt", the drilling stops
and is later continued once the pierce is found from above or below and it
is confirmed that there is no wiring, plumbing, ducting, etc. in a path of
damage. Professionals use "glow rods", plastic rods 1/8" or so in
diameter that have fiber optic properties. The glow rod is pushed through
small holes and then "lit" with a light source such as a flashlight. They
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