Metal Back Box Clips

[securespark]

Decided to replace the dry lining boxes after having the HS&L skimmed with metal back boxes.

I know they're fairly new, but I've managed to go my whole career without using them.

In your humble opinions, which are best?

 

[SUNRAY]

Without these?

Iffy

 

[securespark]

I'm wanting to fix metal back boxes into a hollow wall (Paramount), but not sure which are the best fixings.

There's something called F Clips, but they don't seem the best.

I suppose I could splodge a load of bonding in there, but it seems a bit amateurish...

 

[JohnW2]

Decided to replace the dry lining boxes after having the HS&L skimmed with metal back boxes.

I'm wanting to fix metal back boxes into a hollow wall (Paramount), but not sure which are the best fixings.

Have I interpreted this correctly - that you are proposing to replace plastic 'dry lining boxes' with metal boxes, supplemented wityh some sort of clips which will attach them to the wall in much the same way as the 'dry lining' ones?

If so, what would that achieve, since it would seem that you would, in effect, merely be replacing 'plastic dry lining boxes' with what were effectively 'metal dry lining boxes', wouldn't you?

 

[securespark]

You get a perfectly flush finish, with nothing visible, just like in a solid wall.

Whereas, with a DL box, you get the accessory raised off the surface, albeit only slightly and in some cases, you can see the edges of the DLB too.

 

[SUNRAY]

You get a perfectly flush finish, with nothing visible, just like in a solid wall.

Whereas, with a DL box, you get the accessory raised off the surface, albeit only slightly and in some cases, you can see the edges of the DLB too.

But I thought you mentioned it has been skimmed, in which case the skin is usually thicker than the DL box.

If it's these you're looking at

, I've only encountered them once where constant un/plugging dislodging them. Neither of us had encountered them before and couldn't work out how they worked. We replaced some with plastic DL boxes or where the PB was badly damaged fitted batten spacers beside and behind to screw the metal boxes to.

 

[JohnW2]

You get a perfectly flush finish, with nothing visible, just like in a solid wall. ... Whereas, with a DL box, you get the accessory raised off the surface, albeit only slightly and in some cases, you can see the edges of the DLB too.

I suppose so, but I imagine one needs pretty good eyesight to notice the difference. In common with many others, I have a mixture of metal and 'dry lining' boxes in my house, but I'm not convinced that I could confidently tell you 'which was which' just by 'ordinary looking'

 

[pete01]

Like this?

2 Gang 35mm Fire & Acoustic Metal Dry Lining Plasterboard Box | Scolmore (WA4235)

 

[pete01]

Or these for flat plate accessories

2 Gang Dry Lining/Plasterboard Box for Flat Plate Accessories 35mm

 

[JohnW2]

Like this? ...

2 Gang 35mm Fire & Acoustic Metal Dry Lining Plasterboard Box | Scolmore (WA4235)

Given what he wrote, I think he may well be 'asking for the impossible', since he seems to want a (metal) box which, like a dry-lining one, attaches to he plasterboard with some sort of clip, but without any 'flange that will theoretically hold the accessory very slightly above the surface of the wall - and I'm not sure how that could be achieved.

I suppose that if one was really concerned and was very 'careful', one could probably remove 1mm or so of the wall surface around the edge of the hole, so that the flange of the box could sit in that 'depression', allowing the accessory itself to be totally flush to the wall?

 

[securespark]

But I thought you mentioned it has been skimmed, in which case the skin is usually thicker than the DL box.

If it's these you're looking atView attachment 413742, I've only encountered them once where constant un/plugging dislodging them. Neither of us had encountered them before and couldn't work out how they worked. We replaced some with plastic DL boxes or where the PB was badly damaged fitted batten spacers beside and behind to screw the metal boxes to.

Sorry, yes, it has been skimmed.
But with the boxes removed.

Yes, I've seen those Wylex flanges before online, but I too am struggling to work out how they work!

I thought they were a common thing, but obviously not as common as I thought...

I found these on Amazon, but again, I can't find out how they work...even after studying their (un)helpful guide!

WooFog Dabolang Switch Box Straps on Electrical Outlet Repair, Electrical Box F Clips for Loose Outlet Fix, Switch Box Support Clip -10 Pcs : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Shop WooFog Dabolang Switch Box Straps on Electrical Outlet Repair, Electrical Box F Clips for Loose Outlet Fix, Switch Box Support Clip -10 Pcs. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.

amzn.eu

 

[foxhole]

Lunacy

 

[pete01]

I can't figure out the problem?

 

[flameport]

Neither of us had encountered them before and couldn't work out how they worked

They don't work.
100% useless for any application.

I thought they were a common thing, but obviously not as common as I thought...

I have seen them a few times.
The first occasion much time and effort was wasted attempting to get them to fit and secure the box in any meaningful way.
Since then every time they are found they go straight in the bin and some other method of fixing is used.

I found these on Amazon

Overpriced
Can never work

 

[JohnW2]

I can't figure out the problem?

It seems that it's probably a 'problem' that even those of us with fairly good eyesight would probably regard as very trivial