Any recommended old work sconce boxes?

[emf10]

I'd like to install indoor sconces with minimal drywall cuts but I'm concerned a plastic round old work ceiling box won't be strong enough, those plastic tabs are weak. I was also considering the expansion type old work metal fan boxes where you insert the bar and spin it so it expands between the studs and mount the metal box to it. Any thoughts on this?

 

[mark32]

Hi there, those old work round plastic boxes are surprisingly stout, I used a couple not long ago for some average sized sconces and they were plenty strong enough. I just wouldn't go ape on those plastic tabs when installing the box. Another idea is to use a metal gem box with madison straps.

 

[dcspector]

The last time I checked those round nm cut in boxes were not rated for fixture support........go figure.

 

[mark32]

That's very interesting, I wonder what those boxes are rated for, smoke detectors? Are those boxes stamped, "Not rated for the support of fixtures"? Certainly I wouldn't hang anything heavy on it, especially when mounted in a ceiling, but a 2lb sconce hanging on the wall? Velcro could hold those lightweights up.

 

[big vic]

These work well and can be cut out with a hole saw

http://www.alliedmoulded.com/oldwork_round.cfm

 

[Towzzer]

Wouldn't a rectangle box be better just in case the sconce's base isn't wide enough

 

[al hildenbrand]

Wouldn't a rectangle box be better just in case the sconce's base isn't wide enough

That's a reasonable caution. I keep a couple different sized choices on the truck. That makes it more likely that the fixture, regardless of it's base shape, will get installed on the first attempt.