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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Electrical box sinker comments please
I'm wondering about buying an electrical box sinker (eg Screwfix
91308) Do they make creating a hole in blockwork for a socket much simpler or are they a gimmick? In my experience the sides of a hole are easy enough to make but getting a reasonably flat back to the hole is the tricky bit. If I do get one then as I only have about 30 holes to make I'm planning to buy a single box sinker and just use it twice to sink the double holes for sockets etc. Will that be successful? Another gadget I've spotted is a wallchaser (Screwfix 11900) which I imagine (hope) is a lot less messy than an angle grinder. Is it? Anna ~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England |""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation / ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc |____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642 |
#2
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Electrical box sinker comments please
Anna Kettle wrote: I'm wondering about buying an electrical box sinker (eg Screwfix 91308) Do they make creating a hole in blockwork for a socket much simpler or are they a gimmick? In my experience the sides of a hole are easy enough to make but getting a reasonably flat back to the hole is the tricky bit. If I do get one then as I only have about 30 holes to make I'm planning to buy a single box sinker and just use it twice to sink the double holes for sockets etc. Will that be successful? Another gadget I've spotted is a wallchaser (Screwfix 11900) which I imagine (hope) is a lot less messy than an angle grinder. Is it? Anna ~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England |""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation / ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc |____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642 I got one of these kits, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Square-Hole-Cu...QQcmdZViewItem Worked a treat in block and not too bad in red brick either, youre not supposed to use them in red brick. If you are using them in hollow block (gp1's) then youll have a hard time getting a flat recess as the block will "blow out" into the hollow. I just stuck em in place with adhesive. |
#3
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Electrical box sinker comments please
In article . com,
Staffbull wrote: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Square-Hole-Cu...QQcmdZViewItem Worked a treat in block and not too bad in red brick either, youre not supposed to use them in red brick. If you are using them in hollow block (gp1's) then youll have a hard time getting a flat recess as the block will "blow out" into the hollow. I just stuck em in place with adhesive. Also says the chaser must not be used in brick so of limited use, I'd say. -- *There are two sides to every divorce: Yours and **** head's* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#4
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Electrical box sinker comments please
Dave Plowman (News) wrote: In article . com, Staffbull wrote: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Square-Hole-Cu...QQcmdZViewItem Worked a treat in block and not too bad in red brick either, youre not supposed to use them in red brick. If you are using them in hollow block (gp1's) then youll have a hard time getting a flat recess as the block will "blow out" into the hollow. I just stuck em in place with adhesive. Also says the chaser must not be used in brick so of limited use, I'd say. -- *There are two sides to every divorce: Yours and **** head's* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. As I said in the post, i have used it red brick, seems fine just slower, none of the teeth blunted yet, just got to wiegh up how many holes/chases will be done into brick? as mine was new build I never used the chaser as I just used PVC capping on the cables |
#5
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Electrical box sinker comments please
In article . com,
Staffbull wrote: As I said in the post, i have used it red brick, seems fine just slower, none of the teeth blunted yet, just got to wiegh up how many holes/chases will be done into brick? as mine was new build I never used the chaser as I just used PVC capping on the cables I've never bought one of these things even although a bit of a tool junkie. Mostly I seem to work on old places where the walls are brick - and often with a skim of mortar, so I'm not sure how long they'd last. You're gonna have to make good the cable entry anyway - so I tend just to cut oversize with the SDS and slap in a load of quick set cement. -- *White with a hint of M42* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#6
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Electrical box sinker comments please
Dave Plowman (News) wrote: In article . com, Staffbull wrote: As I said in the post, i have used it red brick, seems fine just slower, none of the teeth blunted yet, just got to wiegh up how many holes/chases will be done into brick? as mine was new build I never used the chaser as I just used PVC capping on the cables I've never bought one of these things even although a bit of a tool junkie. Mostly I seem to work on old places where the walls are brick - and often with a skim of mortar, so I'm not sure how long they'd last. You're gonna have to make good the cable entry anyway - so I tend just to cut oversize with the SDS and slap in a load of quick set cement. -- *White with a hint of M42* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. I dont know how theyd fare with daily use, I was thinking of ebaing them as finished with them, |
#7
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Electrical box sinker comments please
"Anna Kettle" wrote in message ... I'm wondering about buying an electrical box sinker (eg Screwfix 91308) Do they make creating a hole in blockwork for a socket much simpler or are they a gimmick? In my experience the sides of a hole are easy enough to make but getting a reasonably flat back to the hole is the tricky bit. If I do get one then as I only have about 30 holes to make I'm planning to buy a single box sinker and just use it twice to sink the double holes for sockets etc. Will that be successful? Another gadget I've spotted is a wallchaser (Screwfix 11900) which I imagine (hope) is a lot less messy than an angle grinder. Is it? Anna I got this http://tinyurl.com/v9oqe (goes to ebay) and it's been brilliant. So far it's been used to do 8 doubles, two twin and 5 single boxes in red brick in my kitchen and I thoroughly recommend it. John. |
#8
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Electrical box sinker comments please
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#9
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Electrical box sinker comments please
On Thu, 16 Nov 2006 09:28:07 +0000, Anna Kettle wrote:
I'm wondering about buying an electrical box sinker (eg Screwfix 91308) Do they make creating a hole in blockwork for a socket much simpler or are they a gimmick? In my experience the sides of a hole are easy enough to make but getting a reasonably flat back to the hole is the tricky bit. If I do get one then as I only have about 30 holes to make I'm planning to buy a single box sinker and just use it twice to sink the double holes for sockets etc. Will that be successful? Another gadget I've spotted is a wallchaser (Screwfix 11900) which I imagine (hope) is a lot less messy than an angle grinder. Is it? For cleaning out the holes and marking up the start they are useful. The circular bit for taking the 'meat' out is ridiculous. The square box part works OK in brick but the trick is to make it do the finishing not the work which you do with point, chisel or bolster bits. That's my experience. -- Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter. The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html Gas Fitting Standards Docs he http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFittingStandards |
#10
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Electrical box sinker comments please
"Anna Kettle" wrote in message ... I'm wondering about buying an electrical box sinker (eg Screwfix 91308) Do they make creating a hole in blockwork for a socket much simpler or are they a gimmick? In my experience the sides of a hole are easy enough to make but getting a reasonably flat back to the hole is the tricky bit. If I do get one then as I only have about 30 holes to make I'm planning to buy a single box sinker and just use it twice to sink the double holes for sockets etc. Will that be successful? Another gadget I've spotted is a wallchaser (Screwfix 11900) which I imagine (hope) is a lot less messy than an angle grinder. Is it? Anna ~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England |""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation / ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc |____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642 Anna Buy the wall chaser, use a decent hoover with it and dont bother with box sinker. Use the wall chaser to cut a pttern for the socket and then chisel out. Steve Dawson www.foxelectrical.co.uk |
#11
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Electrical box sinker comments please
Thanks for all your posts. What a wide variety of comments about the
box cutter ranging from 'The bees knees' to 'Useless'. I think that on balance I wont get a box cutter but I do like Kevin's idea of using a large core drill as I want to get one anyway to drill out for extractor fans and so on Reading the replies reminded me that I have not chiselled out lightweight block before cos the last house was solidly built of Victorian red bricks. I didnt have an SDS drill either in those days so maybe the whole experience will be easier than I've been expecting Stephen seems to be the only person with experience of using the wall chaser - and as you're an electrician I expect you are speaking from experience, so I'm tempted to put that one on my Christmas present list Anna ~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England |""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation / ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc |____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642 |
#12
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Electrical box sinker comments please
"Anna Kettle" wrote in message ... Thanks for all your posts. What a wide variety of comments about the box cutter ranging from 'The bees knees' to 'Useless'. I think that on balance I wont get a box cutter but I do like Kevin's idea of using a large core drill as I want to get one anyway to drill out for extractor fans and so on Reading the replies reminded me that I have not chiselled out lightweight block before cos the last house was solidly built of Victorian red bricks. I didnt have an SDS drill either in those days so maybe the whole experience will be easier than I've been expecting Stephen seems to be the only person with experience of using the wall chaser - and as you're an electrician I expect you are speaking from experience, so I'm tempted to put that one on my Christmas present list Anna ~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England |""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation / ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc |____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642 It would be a pretty big Xmas ask. here is a link for the one that I have, and you would be better off hiring it from HSS or someone similar. http://www.hss.com/g/8311/Diamond_Ch...ine_Bosch.html mine is a hilti. Just found a cheapie on screwfix part number 81200, buy some extra disc and you should be fine.Be careful on this one though the cut depth is shallow and if you are going to use flat plate metal fitting you will need 35mm deep boxes. Regards Steve |
#13
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Electrical box sinker comments please
On Sat, 18 Nov 2006 19:59:25 GMT, "Stephen Dawson"
wrote: It would be a pretty big Xmas ask. The one I was looking at was the cheapie option at 24 pounds so probably not nearly so good as yours but possibly enough for my needs? Screwfix 11900. The description is "Wall Chaser Use with 43mm collar corded power drills. Consists of wall chaser attachment and a 12mm TCT cutter for cutting channels into plaster and light construction bricks. 5 year manufacturer's guarantee." and you would be better off hiring it from HSS or someone similar. Yes if I decide tp get a supa one ... Just found a cheapie on screwfix part number 81200, buy some extra disc and you should be fine.Be careful on this one though the cut depth is shallow and if you are going to use flat plate metal fitting you will need 35mm deep boxes. But still 120 pounds so I think I'll go for one of -The 24 pound cheapie (if I can find anyone who has used one successfully) -Hire -Elbow grease Anna ~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England |""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation / ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc |____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642 |
#14
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Electrical box sinker comments please
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#15
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Electrical box sinker comments please
"Anna Kettle" wrote in message ... On Sat, 18 Nov 2006 19:59:25 GMT, "Stephen Dawson" wrote: It would be a pretty big Xmas ask. The one I was looking at was the cheapie option at 24 pounds so probably not nearly so good as yours but possibly enough for my needs? Screwfix 11900. The description is "Wall Chaser Use with 43mm collar corded power drills. Consists of wall chaser attachment and a 12mm TCT cutter for cutting channels into plaster and light construction bricks. 5 year manufacturer's guarantee." and you would be better off hiring it from HSS or someone similar. Yes if I decide tp get a supa one ... Just found a cheapie on screwfix part number 81200, buy some extra disc and you should be fine.Be careful on this one though the cut depth is shallow and if you are going to use flat plate metal fitting you will need 35mm deep boxes. But still 120 pounds so I think I'll go for one of -The 24 pound cheapie (if I can find anyone who has used one successfully) -Hire -Elbow grease Anna ~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England |""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation / ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc |____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642 Anna, I have just had a quick look at the screwfix part you mentioned, and would not waste my money on it. It will be very messy/dusty. I think in your position i would work out where I had to chase and then hire one for a day. We chase a whole house in a day with the kit we have. Best of luck Steve |
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