On 21 Oct 2006 21:09:11 -0700, "BallPeanScrewdriver"
wrote:

I "need" (as defined by wife, not me) to move a 1st floor light fixture
about 56 inches. OF COURSE it's across joists, and OF COURSE it's on
the 1st floor so I don't have access to it from above.

Is this as ugly a procedure as it seems like it must be, or are there
tools and/or techniques to make it less painful (primarily defined as
not messing up the ceiling byond the existing hold and the one I'll
need to make)? I am assuming I have to drill through all the joists
between the old and new locations, so some type of extended drill bit
seems like a bare minimum. But 20+ years of DIY home repair/remodel has
taught me others often know a "slick" way to do a given task, and I'm
hoping that's the case here (although the geometry and physics of the
problem certainly don't seem to leave much wiggle room for such a
solution).

Thanks in advance for your input!

-dave

I think the simple thing to do is loose the wife.


If you really must do it, then one option would be cut a rectangle
about 14 inches from half of the joist on the outside of the existing
fixture to the outside joist the new location. Cutting only half the
sheet rock off the joist gives you a place to screw up the new piece
you cut. You can obviously see what a big hole it is going to leave
but it is one smooth square seem. Opening up the entire area means
less surprises. You don't need to do any magic tricks this way.

You will have to leave the existing box, and put a cover over it so
you have access to it.


If the new location is over a table or something you might consider
leaving the existing light and putting a hanging lamp. These hang
from chain and plug in the wall like a lamp.