fitting a light switch flush with a Cupboard

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Hi,
I would like to fit a light switch to sit flush with a wooden cupboard.

Would it be possible/ allowed to put a metal back box into the wooden frame of the Cupboard.

I've attached a photo to help show what I'm thinking off.

The existing light switch used to sit on top of the cupboard and it would look so much better if it was flush.

Thank you.

Untitled 2.jpg
 
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Yes, you can do that (assuming you earth the back box).

You need a way of fixing the box to the wood - either make a batten to sit on the surface inside the cupboard,
or
drill holes in the side of the box, and screw to sides of recess.

First option may reduce the chances of foreign matter entering any holes in the box.
 
now i could be well wrong but that looks like perhaps planed 4x1 so 95mm with perhaps 9mm door stop so down to 86mm and the switch perhaps 85mm so no or near zero space have you checked the front will allow a switch plate and the door to open and indeed looks right as a few mm visible wood would look nicer than a switch overhanging into the clearance gap (y)
or have you looked at a narrow frame switch ??
 
A standard switch is 86mm wide, however that metal box is for an architrave switch which is 32mm wide
 
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also just noticed screw holes are 90% out so switch between screw so no side to side fixings:D
 
also just noticed screw holes are 90% out so switch between screw so no side to side fixings:D
As rocky has said, that's an architrave back box - so if that's what the OP is planning to use, not only is it very narrow but the lugs for faceplate screws are, correctly, at top and bottom.

Kind Regards, John
 
Why not just use a dry lining backbox? All you need to do then is cut the whole in your cupboard, fit the box which will fix itself to the woodwork and then wire up the switch?
 
As rocky has said, that's an architrave back box - so if that's what the OP is planning to use, not only is it very narrow but the lugs for faceplate screws are, correctly, at top and bottom.

Kind Regards, John
thats right its an architrave back box.

So I'm going to use my router to route out a space to accommodate the back box and glue the back box inside the wood using some kind of epoxy.

this will allow the face plate to sit flush with the face of the wood frame
 
thats right its an architrave back box.

So I'm going to use my router to route out a space to accommodate the back box and glue the back box inside the wood using some kind of epoxy.

this will allow the face plate to sit flush with the face of the wood frame
Have a look at a dry wall box. It'll be much easier to fit, more secure and will still allow your light switch to sit flush.
 
Have a look at a dry wall box. It'll be much easier to fit, more secure and will still allow your light switch to sit flush.
i can't find one that I can fit a slim architrave toggle switch.. like this.

If you know where I can get a slim dry wall box, pls let me know.

Thanks


Screen Shot 2020-08-21 at 13.08.18.png
 
i can't find one that I can fit a slim architrave toggle switch.. like this. If you know where I can get a slim dry wall box, pls let me know.
Judging my my own searches, and other discussions I've seen about this over the years, I suspect that 'dry lining/plasterboard back boxes for architrave switches probably don't exist. That doesn't really surprise me because if they used the same sort of mechanism as the larger dry-lining boxes, the plastic bits of the mechanism would more-or-less fill up the box, leaving no space for the switch!

When I've done it, I've used either metal ones or even 'surface' ones sunk so as to be flush with the wall service (secured by battens or whatever). If you go with a metal one, you could secure it by one of the methods that have been discussed, but you might find it easier using something like these, which sort-of emulate a plasterboard box ...

upload_2020-8-21_14-3-30.png


Kind Regards, John
 
Why must the switch be a narrow one?
As big-all said above, it looks as if the OP may have only around 86mm to play with. Even if a standard single-size switch would 'just fit', it would probably not look too good.

Kind Regards, John
 
Judging my my own searches, and other discussions I've seen about this over the years, I suspect that 'dry lining/plasterboard back boxes for architrave switches probably don't exist. That doesn't really surprise me because if they used the same sort of mechanism as the larger dry-lining boxes, the plastic bits of the mechanism would more-or-less fill up the box, leaving no space for the switch!

When I've done it, I've used either metal ones or even 'surface' ones sunk so as to be flush with the wall service (secured by battens or whatever). If you go with a metal one, you could secure it by one of the methods that have been discussed, but you might find it easier using something like these, which sort-of emulate a plasterboard box ...

View attachment 202558

Kind Regards, John
but the plastic bits that hold the box to the plasrterboard are outside the box so the inside is free to house a switch. the screw lugs would intrude the same as a metal box
 
thats right its an architrave back box.

So I'm going to use my router to route out a space to accommodate the back box and glue the back box inside the wood using some kind of epoxy.

this will allow the face plate to sit flush with the face of the wood frame

you cant use a router unless you can take the cabinet out as the base plate will put the cutter perhaps 30-45mm from the edge
 

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