1 gang to 2 gang

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mdshunk said:
'Splain to me how you'd approach cutting out a plastic wall box and replacing it with a two gangable metal boxes? Madisons? Remember, you're probably smack up against a stud on the one side, and the hole on that side is too "tall" for the ears of a gangable box to catch any sheetrock. I'm still trying to picture this, uness you're proposing to run screws through the stud side of the ganged box assembly into the stud.

If you like metal for old work multigang, I'd encourage you to mend your evil ways. A 2 gang plastic old work box is 1/4th the cost of two gangable metal boxes.
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Easy. Madison on one side, and sheetrock screw (gasp!) through the box on the the stud side. I've only had to do this a few times, and it was before the days of the "smart box" so what else was there to do?

I'll use a plastic 2 g o/w box sometimes, but I'm not about to change my evil ways. ;)
 
bikeindy said:
I am going to look for those smart boxes cuz thats the first I've seen 'em.
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Arlington Industries is making their version of the Smart Box now also, which might be easier for you to get. Most supply houses carry Arlington stuff, but not all of them have Smart Box stuff. I'm kinda lucky, because I'm only a tad south of the inventor, so every supply house around here has them.
 
SB22+.jpg


Marc, will a gfi, or dimmer fit in this box, or a 2 gang with the sheetrock screw bump outs?
 
peter d said:
You don't do much commercial work, do you?
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Pictorial example of using a 1-gang mud ring as a template to cut around to substitute a 2-gang mud ring. (Bolt it right onto the existing box, and cut around) The plate will cover if you do a neat job:

ringchange.jpg
 
stickboy1375 said:
Marc, will a gfi, or dimmer fit in this box, or a 2 gang with the sheetrock screw bump outs?
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Yes, no problem. You don't have any "adjustment" when using a GFCI in these boxes, but it is what it is. If the stud is straight, you don't need any adjustment anyhow. They're certainly plenty deep enough for whatever. The Arlington verion is a tiny bit more generous.
 
JohnConnolly said:
I assumed the topic was residential.
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Things have a tendency to get off topic very fast. :D

And no, I would never use metal boxes for resi new construction, but they do have a place.
 
Why dont you just use a regular 2g box and dwall screws?

Not listed?


PS. I RARELY use a cut in box. Not secure enough for me especially for an outlet that takes some abuse.


What were we talking about?
 
JohnConnolly said:
Why dont you just use a regular 2g box and dwall screws?

Not listed?


PS. I RARELY use a cut in box. Not secure enough for me especially for an outlet that takes some abuse.


What were we talking about?
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For one, you would need to cut off the nail brackets, and 2, probably not listed... :smile:

and i've yet have someone push in an old work box...
 
JohnConnolly said:
Why dont you just use a regular 2g box and dwall screws?
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Several years ago, I probably wouldn't fault a guy too much for that. Now, there are at least two manufacturer's making a proper box for that purpose. No excuse, anymore.
 
mdshunk said:
Several years ago, I probably wouldn't fault a guy too much for that. Now, there are at least two manufacturer's making a proper box for that purpose. No excuse, anymore.
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It's the SAME thing!

A moulded plastic box with a couple of screws in it.

Why would you stock a nail on box AND one with screws? I have really big trucks but space is still at a premium.
 
JohnConnolly said:
Why would you stock a nail on box AND one with screws? I have really big trucks but space is still at a premium.
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Yes, indeed! Do you want pictures?;) Step vans, brother. Eight single gang, two 2 gang, one 3 gang, and one 4 gang Smart Boxes are on truck stock.
 
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