Old timer called out my wire splices - glad he did

Was working a remodel in a 1920s house last month and this old electrician walks by while I'm tucking splices into a box. He stops and says "you're gonna hate yourself when you gotta pull that apart" then walks off. Looked at what I was doing - I was cramming way too many wires into a 4x4 with no slack left. Changed my approach completely. Now I leave at least 6 inches of tail on every wire and use Wagos instead of wire nuts in tight spots. Has anyone else had an old timer save them from a bad habit on the job?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan_carr591mo ago

Honestly, that story hits close to home. Had a similar moment a few years back when a retired foreman pointed out I was leaving zero slack for future service work. Tbh, it stung at first cause I thought I was being efficient, but he was right. Now I make a point to leave extra wire and label everything like a madman. Nothing worse than going back in there and fighting with a box that's packed tighter than sardines.

susan_wells1mo ago

You know, what gets me is that we always think about making it easier for ourselves but never for the poor soul who has to tear it all apart later. I've seen journeymen spend an extra hour untangling a mess that could've been avoided with five minutes of planning upfront. Those labels and extra loops aren't just for show, they're basically a time capsule for whoever ends up in that box five years down the road.