These old work steel boxes - new?

[George Stolz]

I was grabbing a couple odds and ends at a home improvement store, and came across this gem from Raco:

View attachment 1219

Are these new? I've been using metal cut-ins with f-straps (also called madison bars, steamboats), I've never seen these.

Anybody use them? Do they work good? It seems like they'd be a lot easier and quicker.

 

[mdshunk]

I've only ever seen them at the big-box stores. They've been around for at least 15 years, since that's my earliest memory of them. I've never used one, but I might guess that if you were a little heavy handed pressing your screw gun into the "wind up" screw, you might smash the box ears right through the drywall or plaster.

There's no reason to use anything besides the Arlington One Box or the Smart Box anymore.

 

[Cavie]

Not new. Used them years ago. They work good in concrete block. I wouldn't use them in drywall.

 

[brian john]

They were around when I did residential and I have not done residential since the extinction of T-Rex..I used them and did not like them..I prefer Madison Straps.

 

[George Stolz]

Marc, I'm not familiar with the "one box". Is it metallic?

I'm thinking mostly in terms of use with MC or EMT.

 

[roger]

Not new. Used them years ago. They work good in concrete block. I wouldn't use them in drywall.

Cavie, I agree, they work great in concrete blocks.

Roger

 

[mdshunk]

Marc, I'm not familiar with the "one box". Is it metallic?

I'm thinking mostly in terms of use with MC or EMT.

Nope. but you can still use it with EMT and MC.

 

[chris kennedy]

I only use cut ins with madisons as it takes a great amount of skill to use boxes with ears and still have the plate cover the cut out.

 

[stickboy1375]

I personally hate metal boxes, but then again I hate working with MC and the likes also.. :grin:

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

I prefer madison straps,can install them blindfolded (after hole is cut).Also makes removal easy.

 

[benaround]

I don't care for them either, if you don't cut the end of the screws off, the

cover plate will not cover the hole.

 

[paul]

They've been around for years. I'm with everyone else and use metal with battleships.

 

[celtic]

Marc, I'm not familiar with the "one box". Is it metallic?

I've only seen the plastic version:

http://www.aifittings.com/whnew78.htm

 

[George Stolz]

Thanks for the replies, fellas.

Guess I'll stick with what I've been doing.

 

[celtic]

I was grabbing a couple odds and ends at a home improvement store, and came across this gem from Raco:

View attachment 1219

Are these new? I've been using metal cut-ins with f-straps (also called madison bars, steamboats), I've never seen these.

Anybody use them? Do they work good? It seems like they'd be a lot easier and quicker.

I use a similar item...a "regular" old work box and stand alone clips:

T&B OWC

 

[captaincrab55]

They've been around for years. I'm with everyone else and use metal with battleships.

I must be a builder of battleships...:grin: As stated before, that steel box works great in block & also thick wire lath plaster. Otherwise it's a steel old work box and madison straps...

 

[celtic]

For the guys that use battleships....needle nose or linemans to install them?

 

[George Stolz]

How would you use linemans to install them? :-?

View attachment 1220

 

[jerm]

needle nose or linemans to install them?

How would you use linemans to install them? :-?

were you talking about pinching them into the box? I use whichever tool I grab first. needlenose or nine-klines, either is acceptable.

 

[George Stolz]

Question stands. I don't see how you can do it, and the picture I editted in above should clarify why I ask.