Sodding Sparks...

[V8mate]

Do people still use dimmer switches? I thought they disappeared with Abigail's Party and George & Mildred.

[Plotloss]

The enlightened use scene setting control gear.

The control panels of which will incidentally fit in a 16mm patress.

[HRG]

Does thatt cost more than a tenner?

[Soft Top]

Just a little

[tr7v8]

Deva Link said:

HRG said:

What kind of tt fits a backbox 16mm deep for a light socket in a brick wall

What's the easiest way to fit a deeper box, chain drill and chisel? If so, anyone got any top tips so I don't damage the existing plaster?

They're normally that depth.

Why didn't you buy dimmers that fitted in standard plaster depth boxes?

Electronic dimmers for Halogen type lights are much bulkier than the old style I couldn't find one when I looked.
Cost me £180 for 2 lights that the Mrs wanted & £30 for a dimmer & I'll have to change the backbox when I next decorate!

[Jonny_]

Just accept that you'll probably muller the plaster, buy a pack of patching plaster and tidy up afterwards.

That way you can merrily your way through the brick using an SDS drill on roto-stop with a flat chisel.

(Incidentally, in relation to electrical installations, is the correct spelling "pattress" or "pateras"?)

[V8mate]

Pattress

[roysum]

16mm boxes were used extensively for light switches pre dimmer era. Carefully run a stanley blade between the plaster and the box (NOT WHERE THE CABLES ENTER) then as you say fold the box sides in with a hammer and bolster, chamfer the bottom plaster to allow the box to be pulled out carefully.
Pepperpot the brickwork with a hammer drill and use an old sharp wood chisel about 20mm wide to cut it out.

Do it quite frequently, sometimes need a wee bit of polyfilla.

Roy.

[fridaypassion]

Mine are all 16mm. Fun on a 2 way switch.

[HRG]

Top tippage

[Poledriver]

[quote=Shake&Bake] Have you considered using longer M4 screws. Might be simpler solution.
[/quote]



Might be a tight squeeze, they're usually M3.5!

Edited by Poledriver on Tuesday 31st March 20:02

[Simpo Two]

roysum said:

Carefully run a stanley blade between the plaster and the box (NOT WHERE THE CABLES ENTER) then as you say fold the box sides in with a hammer and bolster

You missed the bit where you see that the pattress box is secured to the brickwork at the back with four massive clout nails...

[roysum]

Simpo Two said:

roysum said:

Carefully run a stanley blade between the plaster and the box (NOT WHERE THE CABLES ENTER) then as you say fold the box sides in with a hammer and bolster

You missed the bit where you see that the pattress box is secured to the brickwork at the back with four massive clout nails...

Yeh or cut nails ! LOL. Bash them with the bolster too !

[grumpy]

HRG said:

What kind of tt fits a backbox 16mm deep for a light socket in a brick wall

What's a light socket?

[Randy Winkman]

Oi! Sparks are good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml1JdqOjaAw