Am I a genius or am I reinventing the wheel?

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Coppersmith

Coppersmith

Senior Member
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Normally when I am fishing a cable down the wall from the attic into an existing plastic switch box, I use one of two methods: I either break open a KO and try to fish it into the tiny hole; or I de-term all the wires, rip out the box, fish the cable into the big hole, then install a new box and re-terminate everything. Today I accidentally discovered a third way. I made a cut on both top edges of the box from the front to about halfway back then folded the top of the box down. This made a large hole (target) for my cable which I then pushed through a top KO. Then I just folded the top of box back up. Did I just discover something totally new, or do you guys do this all the time?
 
I don't always do any one thing but here are a few, in no articular order (most require helper):

Attach 3" to 6" of a thin ferrous chain to a fish-tape, rod, pull-string, etc., and use a magnet on a stick, or the retrieving magnet from Labor Saving Devices.

Carefully cut slit in drywall above box to guide a fish rod into new or enlarged KO with teeth on tip of keyhole saw and/or hooked wire and/or needle-nose pliers.

Cut the nails of the existing box, push or pull box out of the way without removing device or cables, guide new cable into box, re-attach box to stud with screws.

Drill up through the top plate from box with long Flex-bit. Of course this has the added risk of damaging an existing cable, which can be minimized with careful aiming.

Manually guide the end of a fish rod into a KO in the box using a light shining into the box without a larger hole in the top plate, because I'm just that good.
 
I have done a similar system to Larry's. I usually pry the box out then cut the nails and screw to studs but that is not really compliant. with the screws sticking into the box.

I remember one job I had to go from the attic to the crawl space. I drilled my holes and dropped a jack chain down. Usually I have to fish it out of the hole below but this time the chain went right thru the other hole. Perfectly aligned.
 
On the other hand :) .. I had a plastic nail on with one Cat 5. Need to add a slew of cables and thought I would just make a large enough hole in the side of the box using a hole saw,... hole saw thru plastic box should not spark, right ? :confused: existing box had a piece of 12/2 installed tightly along the side where I cut.... that time I was not a genius or lucky :)
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I have done a similar system to Larry's. I usually pry the box out then cut the nails and screw to studs but that is not really compliant. with the screws sticking into the box.

I remember one job I had to go from the attic to the crawl space. I drilled my holes and dropped a jack chain down. Usually I have to fish it out of the hole below but this time the chain went right thru the other hole. Perfectly aligned.
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If you guys are cutting out the box anyway, why not just pull it all the way out, or drop it down the cavity, and install a remodel box?

EEA0E1C3-3789-4D79-9DEE-72235D61451F.pngThanks
 
Seven-Delta-FortyOne said:
If you guys are cutting out the box anyway, why not just pull it all the way out, or drop it down the cavity, and install a remodel box?

View attachment 2559213Thanks
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Certainly can. Although I would probably use a "smart box" if against a stud

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I think the thinking with not removing the box is it can be a huge hassle to wrestle all the wires out and then back into a new box so if you can just move it a bit, do your fishing and then move it back a bit is a lot easier.
 
tthh said:
Recently fished to a box...as it turns out the existing box was a fiberglass box...I was surprised how easy it was to nibble chunks apart and remove it.
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A lot of times you can punch out the whole back or cave in the whole side to make a gigantic hole without destroying the screw holes.

I've seen a lot of times where someone caved in the side men brought the wire in there

Problem is, it's not a box anymore
 
I prefer using a small hole-saw to add a hole in a box. Paddle bits and saw blades are too destructive.
 
OK, so I didn't hear anybody say they do the "cut the box top" method. Any reason why I shouldn't do it? The box seems solid once I screw the devices back in. The seams where I cut it line up so no sparks can escape. It saved a bunch of time. Is it code legal? Thoughts?
 
Coppersmith said:
OK, so I didn't hear anybody say they do the "cut the box top" method. Any reason why I shouldn't do it? The box seems solid once I screw the devices back in. The seams where I cut it line up so no sparks can escape. It saved a bunch of time. Is it code legal? Thoughts?
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So, you cut a pair of slits in the top of the box, so it will hinge downward, giving you temporary access to the space to direct the wire into the KO, then depend on the device yoke to hold the flap in place.

I prefer to enlarge the gap between the box and the plate line with my keyhole saw. I angle the saw so the slit is larger behind the wall surface. This is also less likely to damage the finished wall surface.

As I mentioned earlier, I use the tip of the keyhole saw, a short wire with a hook, or both to move the tip of a fish-tape or push/pull rod to the KO. An over-sized plate can cover a nice-sized working space.
 
Seven-Delta-FortyOne said:
If you guys are cutting out the box anyway, why not just pull it all the way out, or drop it down the cavity, and install a remodel box?

Thanks
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Because then I have to disconnect everything and pull the wires out of the box. This way I don't have to pull the wires out and it is easy enough to add a new cable.
 
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