Metal or Plastic?

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mkgrady

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I use plastic boxes for wiring homes with wood studs and I use metal ones for commercial work where steel studs are used. I have always used metal boxes with steel studs.

I just completed rough wiring part of a home where some of the wood studs are being changed to steel near an old chimney. I have already pulled out the romex and plastic boxes so the steel studs could be installed and now I'm ready to re-wire and box those areas. It just so happens that all the removed boxes have metal side arms or metal bars (box on bars). My question is, what would be wrong with just putting these plastic boxes back in the steel stud wall?

Mike
 
mkgrady said:
I use plastic boxes for wiring homes with wood studs and I use metal ones for commercial work where steel studs are used. I have always used metal boxes with steel studs.

I just completed rough wiring part of a home where some of the wood studs are being changed to steel near an old chimney. I have already pulled out the romex and plastic boxes so the steel studs could be installed and now I'm ready to re-wire and box those areas. It just so happens that all the removed boxes have metal side arms or metal bars (box on bars). My question is, what would be wrong with just putting these plastic boxes back in the steel stud wall?

Mike
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I do not see an issue with this at all.
 
e57 said:
Nails-ons? Or change out the screw on ones that can be changed? Some of the carlon adjustables would work well. What was the reason for the change to metal - heat, combustablity, or cheaper in tin?
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None of the boxes I removed were nail-on. They all had a sidearm or mounting bars.

There was some issue with the building code. I think the wood studs were too close to an old chimney.
 
When ever possible I use plastic boxes with steel studs. The animal rockers sometimes loosen up the set screw holding the box to the bracket, that is screwed to the metal stud. Plastic is more secure and has more room than metal boxes. The ones I use have flanges that get screwed to the front of the metal stud
 
Y'all talking 'bout these?:

facenailer.jpg
 
mkgrady said:
There was some issue with the building code. I think the wood studs were too close to an old chimney.
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For no particular code reason I would opt for metal in that case - as apparently there may be an issue with heat/fire? Assuming they are retrofitting the framing and finishes around this thing because of something.... Even though the code does not say anything about this - the other building codes may?
 
Those boxes look pretty strong but I'd say they cost as much as you standard bracketed 4x4 metal box. I'll stick to metal boxes with metal studs just for the ease of installation and material availability at the parts place.;)
 
I just bought a bunch of the 1 and 2 gang all metal versions of the above pictured boxes at big orange for 1 cent each. Gotta love those clearance items.

c2500
 
sparkyway said:
Those boxes look pretty strong but I'd say they cost as much as you standard bracketed 4x4 metal box. I'll stick to metal boxes with metal studs just for the ease of installation and material availability at the parts place.;)
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Can't imagine using matal boxes with romex would be easier than these boxes.

If you can't get a full array of plastic boxes at your supplier it might be time to find a new one. Unless you're in Chicago. ;)
 
mkgrady said:
None of the boxes I removed were nail-on. They all had a sidearm or mounting bars.

There was some issue with the building code. I think the wood studs were too close to an old chimney.
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If heat is the concern,.. I would be concerned for the romex as well ..
 
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