Paper or Plastic?

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Paper or Plastic?

  • Carlon/Slater/Cantex PVC or equivalent

    Votes: 31 60.8%

  • Union brown bakelite

    Votes: 2 3.9%

  • Allied fiberglass

    Votes: 6 11.8%

  • Nothing but metal for me

    Votes: 5 9.8%

  • What is residential work?

    Votes: 7 13.7%
  • Total voters
    51
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I try and uncover neatly, but no guilty conscience if I don't. Even if you do find the box with the right size hole, they still have to repair the screw/nail holes when the rock can now be drawn to wall where it belongs.
 
360Youth said:
I try and uncover neatly, but no guilty conscience if I don't. Even if you do find the box with the right size hole, they still have to repair the screw/nail holes when the rock can now be drawn to wall where it belongs.
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If you only cut the inside of the box, the sheetrock will not flex and cause the screws to pop, but then you would also need a depth ring to meet code...
 
stickboy1375 said:
If you only cut the inside of the box, the sheetrock will not flex and cause the screws to pop, but then you would also need a depth ring to meet code...
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I like finding the box 1st time, then popping the nails just so they have to point up anyway. Thanks for burying my box you %#%&*
 
I like the Union/ T & B one gang and ceiling boxes and the Allied fiberglass 2 and 3 gangs. I buy the different brands from different suppliers.
 
box finder

box finder

480sparky said:
BAM!!!!

"Not there."

BAM!!!

"Not there, either."

BAM!!!

"Nope, not there!"

THUMP!!!!

"Oh, there it is!"
Click to expand...
I have used this method many times and it is the most effective when the carpenters are being jerks. Tweaking doorbucks with a crowbar in front of them works even better to get a cut or crushed wire in or out they are sometimes not carefull with sawzalls. They just love fixing doorbucks however you need sufficient mass to back it up. This gets your point across quickly.
 
480sparky said:
BAM!!!!

"Not there."

BAM!!!

"Not there, either."

BAM!!!

"Nope, not there!"

THUMP!!!!

"Oh, there it is!"
Click to expand...


Yep, that is the method I use, once I have made repeated pleas to the GC for relief, and after attempting to discuss the issue with the drywall crews. If the response to my request is a blank stare or a "tough >>>" then the next time is Hammer Time. Please pardon the thread drift. I like T+B grey nail on plastic boxes for the room inside. For shallow area's where a deep box doesn't work, Carlon has a 4"x 1-1/2 deep square blue plastic box and switch rings. An Arlington nm push in box connector into the 1/2" ko for the wires, all things plastic, and no bonding jumpers to slow me down. Side note- I cannot remember ever having to go find any buried boxes on commercial jobs, I have to say this, I think that is because the drywaller union is prevalent on commercial jobs around here.
 
stickboy1375 said:
If you only cut the inside of the box, the sheetrock will not flex and cause the screws to pop, but then you would also need a depth ring to meet code...
Click to expand...

Doesn't it leave a bulge in the rock if you don't cut out around the box??
 
360Youth said:
Doesn't it leave a bulge in the rock if you don't cut out around the box??
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not really, you can feel the bulge while running your hand down the wall, but thats about it... otherwise you wouldn't need a hammer to find them...;) I just use a straight edge down the wall to find the high point...
 
I realized that I voted, but haven't posted yet. I avoid metal boxes when I have the option, because bonding them can easily be skipped. I prefer the blue or gray plastic boxes over the fiber-glass or bakelite ones. The latter boxes shatter much too easily when nailing them on.

What I don't understand is not charging for having to locate buried/covered boxes. We didn't create the problem, nor cause the nail/screw pops that happen when they are exposed and the devices attached, the sloppy drywaller did. I have never covered one of my own boxes.

Added: What I mean is that, also being licensed for home and commercial improvement, we have done a few remodels and new construction, and quite a bit of drywall work. I have never covered one of my device or fixture boxes, or recessed cans, so it's not impossible to do correctly.

Of course, I don't have anyone else to blame when one of my box openings is poorly fitted around a box or can, but that almost never happens, because I'm a stickler for finishing details when I am responsible for the job. If I do it all, it all looks right.
 
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LarryFine said:
What I don't understand is not charging for having to locate buried/covered boxes.
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Again this comes down to choosing your battles. If the contract is 50K, do you want to hit the GC with a $200 change order and wait for approval. Kind of slows down the Final.
Do him a favor now and get your next sizable change order approved for some decent coin.
 
I would only do vindictive destruction to find buried boxes if I hadn't talked with the contractor about it repeatedly.

Before today I wouldn't have charged to find a buried box. But the instructor this weekend has opened my eyes to a lot of things.

No matter what town I'm in I have always been able to make friends with the inspector. This includes times when the inspectors are out for blood because of stupid mistakes the GC or homeowner made. Get on their good side and they will make sure you get paid when you are called upon to fix other people's mistakes.

It is safe to say that this thread has been threadjacked by the buried boxes subject. I just did a quick search for "buried boxes" and didn't come up with any subjects regarding the matter, only threads who had mention of buried boxes within their comments. Maybe this is a subject that should be submitted.
 
I don't complain about a missed box, it happens, I know when I do a walk thru where they are anyways, I do the rough and the finish, besides that I work for the same GC's over and over again, so generally I don't complain, and just get the job done... it takes me less than a minute to cut in the box anyway... BUT, I'm sure I would have a different attitude if these were spec houses...;)
 
LarryFine said:
What I don't understand is not charging for having to locate buried/covered boxes. .
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If I charge I usually tack it on to something else. The GC and I cooperate enough that I don't flat out charge him for something like that unless it was excessive, which is rare. And no, I'm trying to slip anything by him, he actually prefers it that way.
 
underground cable locator

underground cable locator

I have used these numerous times when the gc got cute and tried to use his illegals to rough in some of his million dollar victorians. cable locator works awesome as I am tracing out I keep getting tone on center of windows and find burried hi hats which were all spliced out with green wirenuts and splices touching everything shorting out and wanted me to cover these jobs I said emphatically not in a million years. I think I hurt his feelings.
 
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