Cutting out for backboxes

[jacko555]

What's the easiest / preferred method to chase backboxes?

House is 1920s, lime plaster and very soft red brick.

I've done 5 so far. Scoring the plaster with a staney, then stitch drilling the corners and chiseling out the rest.

I've got lots left and seek advice for the quickest method.

Sds box cutter? Sds chisel? Stitch drill? Multi tool? Hole cutter? Brute force and ignorance?

Thank you

 

[trojanhawrs]

Just keep calm and carry on old chap. Set your depth on the hammer drill by taping round the bit and don't just stitch the corners, stitch all round the edge and in the middle as well. Will make it easier to knock out to a uniform depth. Are you using a sds to drill currently?

 

[ericmark]

My son had a SDS box cutter, and a channel cutter, but unless doing a lot, hard worth buying, never tried a multi-tool on brick, but in the main down to how many you're going to fit. My SDS does not have a rotor stop, I have used a chisel in one which does, and found weight matters, hold a heavy SDS with a chisel is not easy.

For most @trojanhawrs method is likely easiest, the battery SDS I have now is quite light, not really a good thing for a SDS, but with a chisel bit making a hole in the drive great, but in a wall they are a bit heavy.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

As above, sds drill bit, but all over the entire area of the back box, to a little more than the box depth, then sds chisel on roto-stop, to clean it out. I was given an sds box cutter, it proved useless, on all but very soft surfaces.

 

[jacko555]

Are you using a sds to drill currently

No, just an old hammer drill. For the 60 odd holes left to make, I'd happily buy an SDS though, if it'll make a difference.

Sounds like no magic bullet, just stitch drill and chiseling with a healthy dose of grit and persistence. Luckily the bricks are soft.

I'll take a look for a light weight sds drill

I appreciate the advice all.

 

[Murdochcat]

What depth back boxes are you fitting?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I'll take a look for a light weight sds drill

I have three sds - one I bought decades ago, very heavy, great for chiselling concrete at ground level, a lighter mains one, then a Lidl battery one. The latter gets the most use, and they have them in Lidl, at the moment. Difference between hammer drill and sds, is chalk and cheese.

 

[jacko555]

What depth back boxes are you fitting?

Mix of 25mm and 35mm boxes. Wife likes the primed, screwless varilight switches and sockets. The primed face plates are metal, instead of the stock ones which are plastic, and she gets to colour match the walls...

they have them in Lidl, at the moment. Difference between hammer drill and sds, is chalk and cheese.

Good tip, thank you

 

[chivers67]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEBAHAN-Be...ywords=sds+chisel+bits&qid=1740317592&sr=8-24

I use one of these and a small bit for more detailing

 

[SUNRAY]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEBAHAN-Bending-Removing-Professional-Electric/dp/B0BBSWMQQZ/ref=sr_1_24?

I use one of these and a small bit for more detailing

Somehow I manage to end up with a sloping back with those, personally I find I get a better job with a straight bit. However I love these when doing chases; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gouge-Chisel-Sds-plus-Channeling-Concrete/dp/B07JVS5GWX/ref=sr_1_6? but others I work with hate them.

 

[ebee]

Chain drill, stitch drill, around the outside of the edges to just over depth then sds combed scutches and you`ll get the lot out pretty nicely.

Or the old lump hammer and chisel method if you like muscle building (and muscle aching)

You`d soon get the hang of it once you`d rewired a few houses,

 

[crystal ball]

Chain drill, stitch drill, around the outside of the edges to just over depth then sds combed scutches and you`ll get the lot out pretty nicely.

Or the old lump hammer and chisel method if you like muscle building (and muscle aching)

You`d soon get the hang of it once you`d rewired a few houses,

Used to rewire two council houses a week, all hammer & bolster, then do a private one at the weekend, madness

 

[securespark]

BTDTGTTS!!

 

[Jurassicspark]

Used to rewire two council houses a week, all hammer & bolster, then do a private one at the weekend, madness

Working like that got my "adductor pollicis" bulged up.

 

[crystal ball]

Housemaids knee & tennis elbow for me