I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
imanc

On 13/05/2013 19:25, imanc wrote:
I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a
much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
imanc




Polyfilla or even plaster will be fine. Ideally you should still have
two fixing screws into wallplugs, but with suitable filler you can get
away with one or even none. Finish plaster is slightly less good because
of shrinkage.

The other trick if you have two good screw fixings is to pack behind the
box with suitable slivers of wood so that the box is square when screwed
down.

Yeah you can use all sorts of stuff for this. Once when younger and still
sighted I just bunged in some filler, then the box, levelled it up and held
it in the right spot with tape till filler dried, took it apart and drilled
the holes for the plugs. Its still up.
I guess its like, what the eye does not see....

Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"newshound" wrote in message
eb.com...
On 13/05/2013 19:25, imanc wrote:
I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a
much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
imanc




Polyfilla or even plaster will be fine. Ideally you should still have two
fixing screws into wallplugs, but with suitable filler you can get away
with one or even none. Finish plaster is slightly less good because of
shrinkage.

The other trick if you have two good screw fixings is to pack behind the
box with suitable slivers of wood so that the box is square when screwed
down.

On Monday 13 May 2013 19:25 imanc wrote in uk.d-i-y:


I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill

To a fixed depth? I wrapped tape around my drill as a depth marker when
doing this.

then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a
much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!


I had the same problem on the odd occasion - when too enthusiastic with the
SDS or the bricks were a bit crap. Mix a bit of 4:1 mortar and lob it in the
back of the hole. Bed the box in to this. If you add a bit around the side
you can not bother with the fixing screw(s).


--
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http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

Reading this on the web? See:
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Usenet

On 13/05/2013 20:54, Tim Watts wrote:
On Monday 13 May 2013 19:25 imanc wrote in uk.d-i-y:


I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill

To a fixed depth? I wrapped tape around my drill as a depth marker when
doing this.

then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a
much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!


I had the same problem on the odd occasion - when too enthusiastic with the
SDS or the bricks were a bit crap. Mix a bit of 4:1 mortar and lob it in the
back of the hole. Bed the box in to this. If you add a bit around the side
you can not bother with the fixing screw(s).

I keep an old bag of bonding plaster for such occasions... slap it in,
it goes off quick.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
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\================================================= ================/

On 13/05/2013 21:12, John Rumm wrote:
On 13/05/2013 20:54, Tim Watts wrote:
On Monday 13 May 2013 19:25 imanc wrote in uk.d-i-y:


I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill

To a fixed depth? I wrapped tape around my drill as a depth marker when
doing this.

then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a
much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!


I had the same problem on the odd occasion - when too enthusiastic
with the
SDS or the bricks were a bit crap. Mix a bit of 4:1 mortar and lob it
in the
back of the hole. Bed the box in to this. If you add a bit around the
side
you can not bother with the fixing screw(s).

I keep an old bag of bonding plaster for such occasions... slap it in,
it goes off quick.


Industry standard IME. I guess that's why our electrical wholesaler has
it stacked by the front door.

stuart noble wrote:
On 13/05/2013 21:12, John Rumm wrote:
On 13/05/2013 20:54, Tim Watts wrote:
On Monday 13 May 2013 19:25 imanc wrote in uk.d-i-y:


I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted
the area with the drill

To a fixed depth? I wrapped tape around my drill as a depth marker
when doing this.

then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and
some cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box
doesn't seat right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too
deep. I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting
the back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would
do a much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be
appreciated!

I had the same problem on the odd occasion - when too enthusiastic
with the
SDS or the bricks were a bit crap. Mix a bit of 4:1 mortar and lob
it in the
back of the hole. Bed the box in to this. If you add a bit around
the side
you can not bother with the fixing screw(s).

I keep an old bag of bonding plaster for such occasions... slap it
in, it goes off quick.


Industry standard IME. I guess that's why our electrical wholesaler
has it stacked by the front door.

Bloody good stuff that out of date bonding.

--
Adam

Excellent - seems anything can work - grab adhesive, mortar, cement, bonding and car body filler ha ha

I was worried that I was somehow revealing my DIY ineptitude but by the number of responses it seems a common issue.

I've just bought some quick setting cement and will get 'em sorted tomorrow before the spark comes to check my handiwork and laugh his ass off.

Thanks all!

On Mon, 13 May 2013 20:25:22 +0200, imanc
wrote:


I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

Use a deeper back box!

--
Frank Erskine

Frank Erskine writes:

On Mon, 13 May 2013 20:25:22 +0200, imanc
wrote:


I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

Use a deeper back box!

Or do as some professionals (?) have done and just take care not to
attach the socket too tightly (which might crack it).

--
Windmill, Use t m i l l
J.R.R. Tolkien:- @ O n e t e l . c o m
All that is gold does not glister / Not all who wander are lost

On Mon, 13 May 2013 20:25:22 +0200, imanc wrote:

There's a lumpy mess and some cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm,
and the back box doesn't seat right.

Get one fixing ready, lob in some stiffly mixed old plaster, push in box
and use fixing. position and leave.

With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

Is that a problem? You can get longer accessory screws if the ones you
have are too short.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!

I'd not pepper pot, just closely drill around the edge to a consistent
depth. It's easier to cut big bits out of a solid mass rather than one
full of holes.

--
Cheers
Dave.

Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Mon, 13 May 2013 20:25:22 +0200, imanc wrote:

There's a lumpy mess and some cracked brick that is stil somewhat
firm, and the back box doesn't seat right.

Get one fixing ready, lob in some stiffly mixed old plaster, push in
box and use fixing. position and leave.

With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

Is that a problem? You can get longer accessory screws if the ones you
have are too short.


Having the back box set 3mm behind the plaster finish is the correct way to
install back boxes for use with flat plate switches and sockets.

--
Adam

In article ,
imanc wrote:
I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

Quick set cement.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ter/index.html

--
*Pentium wise, pen and paper foolish *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 13/05/13 23:51, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
imanc wrote:
I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.
I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?
Quick set cement.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ter/index.html

car body filler, then replaster. with luck no screws needed. :-)


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

I've no idea if this in an approved method (and rather suspect that it
isn't) but I've mounted several sets of backboxes-in-a-row by first screwing
them to a wooden backplate and then putting the whole assembly into a
slightly oversized hole partially pre-filled with plaster/cement/mortar/what
have you.

The beauty of this approach is that it ensures that the boxes, and therefore
the front plates, are all perfectly in line and evenly spaced - something I
could never achieve when I used to do it one box at a time.

Bert Coules wrote:
I've no idea if this in an approved method (and rather suspect that it
isn't) but I've mounted several sets of backboxes-in-a-row by first
screwing them to a wooden backplate and then putting the whole
assembly into a slightly oversized hole partially pre-filled with
plaster/cement/mortar/what have you.

The beauty of this approach is that it ensures that the boxes, and
therefore the front plates, are all perfectly in line and evenly
spaced - something I could never achieve when I used to do it one box
at a time.

Do you want a job?

The only difference is that I mount the wooden board to the wall and then
fit the back boxes.

--
Adam

imanc writes:


I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a
much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!

I've had better results with an SDS chisel than when I tried drilling
then hand chiselling, but still not perfect. However with a metal back
box it's sometimes possible to put a large metal repair washer (or 2)
behind one of the box mounting holes. Quick and easy, if not ideal.

--
Windmill, Use t m i l l
J.R.R. Tolkien:- @ O n e t e l . c o m
All that is gold does not glister / Not all who wander are lost

Windmill wrote:

You can set the boxes in gunnanail or nomorenails. Bend the unused
knock-outs in slightly so there's a key for the adhesive. No need for
screws.

Bill

On May 13, 7:25*pm, imanc wrote:
I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. *With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a
much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
imanc

--
imancAds not by this site

Tap all the knockouts in the box in very slightly and set the box in
the hole with cement. Leave the knockout(s) you want to use
clear of cement. Make sure the threaded holes for your
switch/socket are clear of cement.

On 13/05/2013 19:25, imanc wrote:

I'm trying to fit 4 25mm back boxes into walls. I've pepper potted the
area with the drill then used a cold chisel to clear out the plaster and
brick. However, the result is not smooth. There's a lumpy mess and some
cracked brick that is stil somewhat firm, and the back box doesn't seat
right. With one recess the back box is about 5mm too deep.

I'm wondering if I can build up the chase with some polyfilla or
something to make it straight and the right depth before fitting the
back box?

I know that an SDS drill with correct chiselling attachment would do a
much neater job, but I don't have one to hand.

I've got 3 more holes to chisel out so any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
imanc




Yeah or pack it with a piece of wood or what ever you have lying around.
I've used old lino tiles before from my box of shims.

--
http://trimley.com/weather/