Gripfill Switch Box

[Iggifer]

So I need to change a switchbox (broken earth screw and one of the lugs has lost it's thread - could rethread but box clearly needs replacing)

However, whoever fitted it couldn't fix it to the breeze block so has used COPIOUS amounts of Gripfill to glue it to the wall (So much so there are great blobs oozing through the screw hole in the box)

Not only that there is honking great self tapper through the box into the gripfill and presumably block behind.

Any tips on getting this box out without making a total hash of the wall?

I've read cyclohexane will dissolve it, but not sure I know anybody that can get me any (plus it's super flammable)

Anyone used this? http://www.bostik.co.uk/diy/product/evo-stik/Adhesive-Cleaner/115

 

[EFLImpudence]

Cold chisel, hammer and elbow grease time.

 

[RF Lighting]

Leave it in place an rethread!!

 

[Iggifer]

Leave it in place an rethread!!

This is becoming increasingly favourable, and then either drillout the broken earth screw or just tap another one into the box and use eyelet crimps

Cold chisel, hammer and elbow grease time.

I don't see how I'm getting around the back box to apply the chisel to the gripfill - without making enough of a hole in which to fit a CU in?

 

[RF Lighting]

Changing the box would be my last resort. Drilling and tapping the box is going to be much quicker and less than changing the box and making good etc.

 

[Iggifer]

Changing the box would be my last resort. Drilling and tapping the box is going to be much quicker and less than changing the box and making good etc.

Totally. Just hope I can re-thread. I could always go up to M4 but I'd rather avoid that. Perhaps some more gripfill in the lug

 

[RF Lighting]

Very carefully squash the lug with a pair of grips so the hole becomes slightly oval shaped and then re-thread to M3.5

 

[Iggifer]

Update because I'm very proud of myself:

Managed to re-thread the lug without squashing, guess it was a combination of a poor screw thread and a slightly worn lug

Drilled a 3mm hole in the box, then threaded up to 3.5 and then sheared off a patress screw to about 10mm and used an eyelet crimp to earth the box

Looks pretty tidy, (even tidier once i've cleaned all the plaster out)