Advising on flush mounting light switch.

[AdrianB]

I am changing this and other light switches around the house to chrome. Most of my houses lights like this one pictured are sort of half flush mounted but still stick out of the wall.

I want the new switch to sit flush with the wall which will mean removing the white plastic backing, making the hole deeper and replacing with probably a new metal back box so it sits flush.

This is a false wall but I don't know the best method or tool to use to make the hole deeper. Any suggestions anyone?

Many thanks.

http://img163.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf16827ft.jpg

 

[Steve]

you say this is a false wall. Do you mean a plasterboard wall with wooden supports? If so, you dont make the hole deeper. The hole is there, it is a case of boxing off the hole. You need a plastic back box with clips that grip the back of the plasterboard. Have you actually taken the switch off?

By the way, when you do take off the light switches, IF THERE IS NO EARTH DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT FITTING THOSE CHROME SWITCHES They NEED an earth for yours and your family's safety. That is a pretty old switch, chances are your lighting circuit needs rewiring so you can have an earth.

 

[AdrianB]

Thanks for the reply crafy. Luckily all the sockets do have an earth!

I assume its plasterboard with wooden supports. The switch screws into a white backing box that doesn't look like the plastic back boxes your referring to.

The backing box is screwed into whatever is directly behind it. It appears to be some sort of plaster board in the middle of the wall and this is what i'm not sure how to cut. I'll get another picture up when I take the switch and backing box off to make things clearer.

 

[AdrianB]

I cant really describe exactly how I did this but I managed. Its not 100% perfect but not too bad. I had to fill the gap around the existing hole as it was huge then paint it.

http://img10.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf17934xb.jpg

Needs a wipe clean but you get the idea I think it looks much better!