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#37926 05/11/04 10:33 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 133
E
Member
Anyone have any good tricks for removing a new work box from a finished wall?

#37927 05/11/04 10:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 47
F
Member
What I have done before that works well for me is to first pry the box away from the stud using a screwdriver. You only have to create a small gap between the box and stud. Then I use a sawzall and cut the nails holding the box to the stud. Next carefully pull the box and wire out of the wall. I usually don't have too much trouble doing it this way.

#37928 05/11/04 11:35 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 597
E
Member
I'll second cutting the nails off.

A sawzall with a good metal blade will work wonders.

I like pushing the box into the wall to work the wires out of it, and then, only if convenient, coaxing the box out of the hole. (my hand is still small enough to get into the wall.)


Al Hildenbrand
#37929 05/15/04 12:14 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 84
D
Member
I use the sawzall to cut the metal brackets close to the box. Then work the wires out of the box and either pull it out or drop it into cavity. Finally, if necessary I remove the brackets/nails.
Don

#37930 05/16/04 05:53 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 681
P
Member
Just curious... what are you planning on doing with the wire that is there after the box is removed?

Pierre


Pierre Belarge
#37931 05/16/04 10:36 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 50
F
Member
Did I see NAILS mentioned!!

Glad we use screw in the UK..so much easier to remove things.. [Linked Image]

#37932 05/16/04 10:42 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
You would still be cutting them as they would be inaccessible in the closed wall. [Linked Image]

By the way WELCOME! [Linked Image]

Bob


[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 05-16-2004).]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#37933 05/16/04 11:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 524
Member
... If the wire is Romex,and the old box is metal,you can substitute the box with a plastic cut-in,because they're usually a tad bit larger,and you can cut the wallboard open in order for the plaster ears to be snug against the wall material,..then tighten the hold down screws with the wing brackets and you're done..Available in single,2-gang,3-gang as well..Plastic boxes allow more volume capacity,as there's no clamp for de-rating..
Russ

[Linked Image from passandseymour.com]

[This message has been edited by Attic Rat (edited 05-16-2004).]


.."if it ain't fixed,don't break it...call a Licensed Electrician"
#37934 05/16/04 03:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 62
S
Member
I found it easier to use diagonal pliers to cut the nails(on plastic boxes). I always used them to pull the cut end of the nail out of the stud too. As to the why...to replace a single gang box with a double gang when the customer wanted a ceiling fan installed in place of the ceiling light.

#37935 05/16/04 06:35 PM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 362
Member
Has anyone tryed rh smart boxes, for this application. I just used 3 last week. they worked great!

Obsaleet


Choose your customers, don't let them choose you.
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