Cutting device plates

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If I've got more than two to shape, I prefer a 4 - 1/2" angle grinder with a 24 grit sanding disc.
 
Power tools to cut a cover plate? Seriously? Y'all must be using that hard and brittle Leviton crap.

Use P&S and you only need tin snips.
 
Often times I can move the box off the stud just enough to get a plate on it.

Just a note here-- if there is trim work that covers the box a bit then you have a different issue. Cutting the plate in that situation is not going to help.
 
Welcome to The Forum.

480sparky said:
Don't crank the screws down until they won't turn any more. Turn 'em until the heads just engage the plate. Problem solved.
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:thumbsup:

As to the original posters question, is it NEC legal, I would be inclined to think so, however I imagine one could be caught up by the fine print on the cover plate instructions with 110.3b.

If this is a remodel, it is far better to move the Box rather than having to cut a cover plate or into the trim surrounding it.

If it is new construction, I would not be surprised if the homeowner made you move the box.
 
Wait? You mean there are instructions? The ones I get are in plastic sealed bags clear on one side with white on the other.. nothing else... screws on the plastic covers in a clip..lloll
 
JFletcher said:
........If this is a remodel, it is far better to move the Box rather than having to cut a cover plate or into the trim surrounding it.

If it is new construction, I would not be surprised if the homeowner made you move the box.
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My SOP is to nail on a scrap 2x4 for any switches next to doors just to prevent the need to trim up a cover plate. But even then, there's no guarantee that the HO will want to get some fancy über-wide trim on the doors.
 
480sparky said:
Don't crank the screws down until they won't turn any more. Turn 'em until the heads just engage the plate. Problem solved.
Click to expand...

Well how do I know when to stop, most plates have that built in pop noise to let you know your tight!
 
480sparky said:
My SOP is to nail on a scrap 2x4 for any switches next to doors just to prevent the need to trim up a cover plate. But even then, there's no guarantee that the HO will want to get some fancy über-wide trim on the doors.
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I just finished a house where they put in 4-1/2" trim. I ask on the rough about trim and was told it would just be normal size. Luckily there were only 3 locations that the plate had to be trimmed. I let the finish trimmers do that too! (Punishment:happyyes:)
 
Little Bill said:
I just finished a house where they put in 4-1/2" trim. I ask on the rough about trim and was told it would just be normal size. Luckily there were only 3 locations that the plate had to be trimmed. I let the finish trimmers do that too! (Punishment:happyyes:)
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Actually, it should be the HOs that trims them. It is their decision to use trim wider than a freaking battleship. The trim carpenters only installed what they were told.
 
480sparky said:
Actually, it should be the HOs that trims them. It is their decision to use trim wider than a freaking battleship. The trim carpenters only installed what they were told.
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True, and the HO did change it but they told the trim guys before the drywall went up. The trim guys forgot to tell me. Still would have been a change order for me to come back and move the boxes. Not like I didn't have a ton of change orders on that job anyway. All AFTER it was drywalled and painted!:rant:
 
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