O/T Installing an electrical box in an older house.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 2, 2012

Neeed to help a friend out. I need to install a box for a switch and several others for outlet plugs. The walls are plaster. The boxes have 2 ears on them that I guess you tighten against the plaster. Any do or don't when doing this work? Thanks for all replies. J.

Ken Combs · Jul 2, 2012

The plaster will crack very easily. So, be really careful when cutting the hole. A saw that cuts on the push stroke will crack it for sure. Pull stroke is better. Something like a rotozip (or little router with the right bit) is best.

mjbrown · Jul 2, 2012

I will add to cutting carefully measure carefully. The opening you cut wants to be a close fit when pushing the box into it. The tab that pops up inside the walls should catch a strip of lath for a stronger installation. If you are using the plastic boxes buy the better grade heavy duty ones. Some plaster walls are almost too thick for an "old work" box. You can gain some reach with the flip up tabs if you back the screws out a few turns.

jackinok · Jul 2, 2012

i put some of them in when i remodled a garage into a living space,but it was sheet rock so it was the same thickness.that could be a problem on plaster,but they may work.they worked well on sheetrock so far. i suppose if the plaster were to thick you could reach inside with a dremel and a masony wheel and trim it out but it would be a pain if you had a lot to do.i have seen people put the outlets in the floor when they had a crawl space.

Ultradog MN · Jul 2, 2012

Those boxes do work but not all that well.
What I do is try to find a stud and cut the box in right beside the stud. Then you can drive a sheetrock screw an an angle through the side of the box which holds them a lot better than the 2 ears - or shall I say in addition to the two ears.

rustyfarmall · Jul 2, 2012

(quoted from post at 11:49:47 07/02/12) Those boxes do work but not all that well.
What I do is try to find a stud and cut the box in right beside the stud. Then you can drive a sheetrock screw an an angle through the side of the box which holds them a lot better than the 2 ears - or shall I say in addition to the two ears.

That's the same way I do it. Attach the box to a wall stud and it won't come out of the wall when "pulling the plug"

Leroy · Jul 2, 2012

I have use a lot of the old work plastic boxes, even use them in new work so if in future I need to be able to get to the wires I can just take out the box. Just one thing before putting them in the wall take the screwdriver and run the screw in and out of those ears as at times with no threads bade in the ears you can twist the ear off but if you do it outside the wall you can hold it in place and get the threads working as should.

omahagreg · Jul 2, 2012

I would recommend the 'next to stud, drywall screw approach.' I use a 4" angle grinder with a dry masonary blade, will save the plaster cracks, but not the dust!

Greg K · Jul 2, 2012

First mark the outline of where you want your box(hoping it doesn't land on a stud or cast iron stack pipe, look in the basement first). After you have it marked take a utility knife and scribe in the line just outside of your pencil marks, this will help keep the plaster from chipping outside of the lineor the paint from peeling. then carefully with a large screwdriver or junk chisel and a pliers or small hammer, chisel the outline on the pencil marks. You may have to make two passes to chisel all the way through. Remember it is easier to make another pass than it is to patch and repaint a wall. When the plaster is chiseled out to the lath then take a saw and cut the lath out, if it is metal lath then just use side cutters. As mentioned earlier try to find a jab saw that cuts on the push stroke, or make sure you are cutting on the push stroke. It.s really petty simple once you get the hang of it.

mjbrown · Jul 2, 2012

Perhaps an oscillating saw with a grit blade would be just the ticket
for that.

RWK in WI · Jul 2, 2012

I have had some luck putting boxes in a lath and plaster house using "new construction" boxes with some strap brackets that are somewhat T shaped with one of the top sides long. The long top is inserted first, then the short top and the bracket moved so the short top is at the end of the cut. The bottom leg of the T is then bent over the edge of the box to the inside, holding it in place. Use 2 or 4 per box. Just a thought.

Brian G. NY · Jul 2, 2012

I rewired my MIL"s old farm house a few years ago.
I did like ultradog..." located almost all of the boxes next to a stud and used hex head sheet metal screws to fasten box to stud.
I drilled two holes in the side of each box and used one of those ratcheting box end wrenches to turn the screws.
It took longer but when I pull a plug from the outlet I don"t worry about the box coming loose from the lath and plaster.

barnE · Jul 2, 2012

Keyhole or drywall saw(hand use only, no motors) If lath cut one full lath and half lath above and below the box if possible. Dave

O/T Installing an electrical box in an older house.

Anonymous-0

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Ken Combs

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mjbrown

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jackinok

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Ultradog MN

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rustyfarmall

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Leroy

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omahagreg

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Greg K

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mjbrown

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RWK in WI

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Brian G. NY

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barnE

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