Writing on the walls.

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chris kennedy

chris kennedy

Senior Member
Location
Miami Fla.
Occupation
60 yr old tool twisting electrician
Do you trace the box on the wall before installing a cut in box? Al does, gets under my skin when he miss's.
 
lol I agree, as much as I have come to respect the great talents of Al, its amatuerish. a tiny pencildot will do.
 
Go to an arts supply store and buy a little white eraser, called a "magic rub"... other than a magic marker, U can keep him quessing... :)
 
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If Al does it it's right even if he misses, end of story. :mad:

Al, if you're reading this thread and you want to move to the mountains, I have a place for you. :)

Roger
 
I've always traced my boxes with a pencil and a level. Guys that don't
get on my nerves, as they spend too much time guessing the size and fitting
the box. When you use a pencil and a level on the top and bottom
lines, you install the box and it's tight and already within a fraction of level.:)
 
Maybe, I've read this wrong. Are you talking about marking the box
without checking for studs first? Now, that would irritate the heck
out of me.:)
 
Buck Parrish said:
You mark horizonialy the top line first. Then saw it first. This will let you know if your clear to mark the rest of the way.
Click to expand...

I look for the location then I make a small hole about the middle of the box and use my screwdriver to "feel" around to see if I have any obstructions. Then I mark the wall for the cut out.
 
Karl H said:
I've always traced my boxes with a pencil and a level. Guys that don't
get on my nerves, as they spend too much time guessing the size and fitting
the box. When you use a pencil and a level on the top and bottom
lines, you install the box and it's tight and already within a fraction of level.:)
Click to expand...

I have taken my Torpedo(?) level and cut marks the size of the boxes I use. Once I know that I'm clear to cut I use the marks to draw out the box. I have one mark in the Middle and then I have marked for the Length and Width.
 
1793 said:
I look for the location then I make a small hole about the middle of the box and use my screwdriver to "feel" around to see if I have any obstructions. Then I mark the wall for the cut out.
Click to expand...


Same here........ spinner gets used as a probe.
 
I pick a spot and iinsert a thin screwdriver to make sure the area is clear. Of course, the first poke has to be pretty accurate. :):) Then I trace the box with a pencil.
 
I'll run a studfinder across the wall, find the void, level the box, trace it and go to town.

I get on my own nerves since I usually get in a hurry and forget to check the other side of the wall for a receptacle or switchbox. Only hit two of those this year.
 
if i have no studfinder, after tracing lightly with a hard lead pencil, i drill a small hole dead center of "box", then take a piece of solid #14 and bend a hook a tad more than half the width of box. if wire spins freely, im good to go. this really helps in 150+ yr old walls...full of nails, plaster, moisture, etc that will throw even a high end stud finder for a loop.

quinn
 
I have a template made out of a scrap of 1/4" plywood that is the correct cutout size it is easier to hold and accurately trace than the box is plus you do not need to estimate how much to adjust your markings from the box ears.
 
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