WipeJoint122015 0926

It's difficult to repair the underside of the joint because of both working out of sight and working up hill.

The jointer uses an LPG torch to melt solder (60 lead/ 40 tin) which is wiped around the cable, using a piece of hide to build a thickness of solder which seals the cable and gives some strength to the joint. Sterene, a fat based product, is melted onto the assist the wiping process.

Paper insulated lead-covered cable was damaged by NBN builders placing too much gear in the cable pit. Cable jointers from Telstra are repairing the water-damaged circuits. They were working at this and another nearby junction pit and pillar.