Replies

1. 
   zak | Jun 15, 2006 01:01am | #1

   I do that to myself sometimes.  I use either a belt sander or a grinder with a sanding disk.  Quick and easy, you never asked for clean.

   Of course, that's hoping you have plastic nail on boxes- with metal, you might be looking at drywall repair.

   zak

   "so it goes"

1. 
   Ragnar17 | Jun 15, 2006 01:08am | #2

   Thanks Zac, I was thinking about using the angle grinder myself.  Nothing like little sticky bits of plastic everywhere!  ;)  I might also try a hand saw.

   Actually, I didn't set the boxes -- the electrician did.  I'm not too happy about this, either!  When I personally install boxes, I err on the side of caution and set them a little deep.

   Thanks again for the advice.

2. 
   DanH | Jun 15, 2006 01:31am | #3

   Sometimes the careful application of a hammer will suffice. You need a piece of wood that will fit into the box on the stud side -- pound on that. Of course, if the boxes are too brittle or the nails too solid you may knock the back out of the box, so YMMV.

   If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
1. 
   Ragnar17 | Jun 15, 2006 02:07am | #5

   What's "YMMV"?

1. 
   DanH | Jun 15, 2006 03:07am | #6

   Your Mileage May Vary
   If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison

3. 
   bobguindon | Jun 15, 2006 01:32am | #4

   If you're dealing with those blue plastic boxes, be careful not to take too much off - the part where the screws thread in isn't all too thick to begin with.  Also, some wall plates have thickened bosses around the screw holes.  You might be able to grind these down a bit, bringing the plate closer to the wall.  We do this all the time with Leviton modular voice/data plates.

   Bob

4. 
   EricGunnerson | Jun 18, 2006 04:01am | #7

   Okay, I've got the perfect tool for you. It will take a bit of time, but it will be very controllable.

   Get yourself a Dremel moto-tool and a diamond blade. It will cut throught that plastic like butter and will be very easy to control. My guess is about 5 minutes per box.

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jun 18, 2006 08:44am | #9

   ditto the dremel or rotozip with a cutting wheel

    

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

5. 
   handy | Jun 18, 2006 08:16am | #8

   Could cut a plastic templete for the junction box outline and glue it in place.

6. 
   CJD | Jun 18, 2006 06:06pm | #10

   You might try a router with a large base screwed on. Some routers have a vacuum connection and you can set the bit depth so you don't damage the paint and drywall.