How do I replace a three gang box with a four gang box?
Hi guys,
Haven’t dropped in for awhile. Hope everyone is well.
I have a chore to do and I hope you guys can offer some assisstance. I need to remove a three gang box and replace it with a four gang box. The three gang box is the plastic version nailed to the side of a stud. The nails attaching the box enter at a 45 degree angle above and below the box. I need to remove this box, enlarge the opening in the sheetrock, and then install a four gang box ( I plan to use an “old work” four gang to replace the three gang). The fourth switch I’m adding will be a 4-way switch so that my kitchen lights can be controlled from three locations.
I can handle the wiring ok. What I need is some advice on the best method for removing the existing three gang box with minimal damage to the sheetrock. I’ve got to somehow shear, or remove the nails and then squirrel the old box through the opening. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any assisstance.
PS: The three gang box is currently housing three individual switches.Should I consider just consolidating two of the individual switches by using a duplex switch. It’s not what I’d prefer to do, but it would eliminate the need to expand to a four gang box.
Replies
I had to do something similar. I used a flat bar to work the box away from the stud just enough to slip a sawzall blade in there and cut off the nails.
My experience has been that you do this any which way you can.
If you make room for the whole gang (cut the opening wider) you can generally slip a Wonderbar in between the box and the stud and pry it away. But of course you still have to get the box out of there, and that depends a lot on how the wires are routed and how tight they are. It's strongly advised to keep small children and women with sensitive ears away from the area while you work on this.
MW
You've got alot of wire, make sure the box is sized big enough. Admittedly, all 14 ga, but don't make it hard on yourself.
Pry and saw the nails off, beware of wire running behind the box and down.
Safest, open it up and patch it.
Stacked switch.
Well, since I'm merely putting a 4-way switch in series with an existing circuit, the wire just needs to loop through the box. With that thought in mind, I think I might just install a single gang box for the switch and be done with it. I'm getting old, guys. Sometimes keeping it simple trumps everything else for me.
I like your idea (and your thinking) the best.
Even better, if this post was over at 'Breaktime classic", somebody would have told the OP to go to HD and get a 'box stretcher', eh ?>
Here is my technique:
If the box is phenolic: Turn off power, remove the existinfg switches. 2 or 3 whacks with screwdriver into the corner of the box and it chatters. Let the pices fall into the wall. Use ur linesman pliers to yank out the nails. Enlarge opening for 4 gang box and install old work box.
If the box is plastic or metal: Turn off power and remove existing switches. Push the floating side of the box into the wall ~ 1/2" and hold it there. Get a flat bar between the stud and box. A little prying and the box is free. Let it drop down into the wall. Enlarge the opening in the wall and instal 4 gang box.
JH, wouldn't you rather recommend that he set up a mold and cast a new box extension in place?
3 to 4 box swap
I've done the sawzall and prybar routines, but using a multi tool is faster, cleaner, and easier for me.
I have a long and narrow metal cutting blade on a multi tool that will reach up an get the box holding nails with minimal damage to the drywall. Also less chance of damaging the wire after getting through the nail, compared to using a sawzall. Another multi tool blade for sheetrock to open the extra space for the 4th gang, and the box has more wiggle room to get out. The multi tool can also do surgery on the plastic box to make the parts easier to get out of the wall - with due caution for the wires! Still isn't easy, and getting the wires properly back into the new box can be the hardest part of the job.
Stack switches, even the Decora style, look like crap - and good luck finding what you need if you do choose to go that way. It's faster to do the new box than chase the oddball parts.
Yeah, I'd certainly use my MM at least to enlarge the opening. Whether the blade is long enough to cut the nails depends on the box -- would't work for deep boxes.