The Most Useful Electrician's Trick I Know... The Amazing Locator Probe

I used this remarkable trick many times when I was a remodeling contractor.

[WilliamStrawnJoe]

Darn Herrick. Learned something today. I’m gonna buy every metal coat hanger I see at garage sales and flea markets from now on

[hilbert]

Wow, I had over 20 years experience in the remodeling business and never came across this tip. Not even with electricians. Thanks HK!

[joelrodriguez]

Thank you that was incredible. Hello from Texas 😊

[ramonestrada]

As an industrial electrician for 40 years and now retired never knew about this trick. There were many times where it could have been handy. Thanks for sharing.

[elizabethjohnson]

Brilliant! Only the thoroughly experienced would know! Regards from far north California.

[beerdrinker]

I would not have believed anyone but you. Nice video. Thank you.

[rshoe]

A very good tip to use, been using this for years now! Learned it from an uncle who wasn't an electrician by trade. Just revamped my kitchen lighting and used this method. Works like a charm! And like you said these types of coat hangers are harder to get so I always keep a half a dozen or so of these for this reason.

[TopCat]

When I saw the title I was thinking about an electrical probe and wondering what you had in store, when you said locating for a switch I smiled for then I realized what you were referring to, as I have also used this many many times to locate positions in an attic or crawlspace. Thanks for sharing.

[ed]

I am an electrician. Used to teach at the union hall. Just cut the end with your pliers on a 45 deg angle. I had a bet with my students that I could drill a PT 6 x 6 and it did it with no problem. I took their money, but it went into the Pizza fund. Also useful when you have to drill through a rug. Works like a charm.

I have also done it with welding rod when I didn't have a coat hanger. Just take a hammer and beat the flux off the welding rod..

But coat hangers used to be the fix when I locked my keys in my truck.

[drewkaree]

I was fully expecting this to be a vid of you drilling into a wall and "accidentally" hitting a wire, thereby locating wires in the wall! 😄
Nice to see this info!

[sameoldmphymel]

Awesome, I love it when you show me something that is completely new to me never heard of that one before

[bobvecchi]

The probe will go through anything, including drywall, lumber, wires and cables, water and gas piping, what a wonderful tool

[lonwhitmer]

This a good trick. I used it all the time with 3/32 brazing rod. On Amazon a 1/8" bit x 12" is what we used when hiting wood. Good video thank you.

[charleywalker]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and keep your videos coming please.

[gsilcoful]

Wait. What? Amazing. Had to watch twice.

[bobmartin]

It’s such a handy trick!!
Thanks for getting it out there for the masses!

[captainsawdust]

An HVAC friend showed me this 35+ years ago. He made a cradle stand for his drill so the wire wouldn't bend when he went downstairs to see where it came out. I've used it many times and prefer wire insulation supports to hangers. They are stiffer and sharper and seem to drill better.

[bobp]

I saw an HVAC guy use this just last week with wire used to hang the ductwork. A coat hangar would be even more MacGyver-ish. Pretty slick!

[bighughie]

Hi Kerrick, that is one of the best tips I've ever seen. I always keep wire hangers because they are so useful apart from their intended purpose so that is another one!! 😊
Thank you so much for sharing.😊
Regards,
Ralph Street.

[BeyondLimitsD]

Just my two cents. I use an aircraft bit so it has a cutting tip. If that's not long enough, I shove some wire through. Works great for me.