1 Gang to 2 Gang

[SparkNewbie]

I have a light and Ceiling fan on a combo dimmer in a 1 gang box here in the USA. I want to break that out to a 2 gang box. I know the wiring config but the 1 gang box in there is 30+ years old and looks to be nailed/screwed to the stud.

Is there a way to remove that 1 gang box without ripping out tons of drywall?

So far, it does not look good. I really hope that someone out there can offer a suggestion.

Thanks!

 

[plugwash]

if its a cross head screw thats no longer possible to turn you should be able to drill the head off it with a hss dril bit.

how about using a holesaw (pilot dril next to the nails/screws main body over them) to release and remove the bulk of the box and then removeing whats left carefully from the stud with an old screwdriver?

 

[SparkNewbie]

I should have been more specific, the nail/screw is not accessible from the inside of the box. I have yet to remove enough drywall to see it in detail.

 

[plugwash]

what about cutting the box up with something like a dremel and then levering out the bits that are left?