Replies

1. 
   Gabe_Martel | Nov 12, 2001 04:23am | #1

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   Is it metal? A cheap magnet stud finder will locate the box if it is.

   Gabe

1. 
   Dave_Churchill | Nov 12, 2001 04:42am | #2

   *Professional stereo installers use a tone generator to find wires hidden behind drywall (purposely). It is a 2-part electronic device. The first part hooks to the other end of the wires, and sends a tone down the wire. The second part is used to scan for the wire in the suspected location. I believe that the devices are available in the electrical dept of many home centers. It might be a rather expensive way to find 1 box, but how expensive is the bookshelf?

1. 
   Cliff_Popejoy | Nov 12, 2001 04:48am | #3

   *Jerry, The most efficient way is to use a toner and probe. The toner is an RF signal generator, and the probe is the receiver. Used by phone guys, alarm installers, and electricians to find and identify wires. A good one will throw a signal through drywall and paneling.A little practice and you can actually pinpoint the end of the wire in just the sort of situation you describe.If you have an electrician or alarm installer that you've worked with, you might see if you could talk them into stopping by when it's convenient (it's a 2 minute job). Or, you could go to Home Depot, buy the set (my HD sells the toner and probe by Greenlee), use it, and return it...the HD guys say it happens all the time. Not that I'm recommending that approach, mind you...

1. 
   Jon_Cooling | Dec 01, 2001 10:19am | #4

   *Open a hole on the other side of the wall if you don't have access to those high tech devicesjcool

1. 
   Mongo_ | Dec 01, 2001 06:52pm | #5

   *The other box is still exposed, right?It's likely that they both would have been mounted at the same height, so that takes care of one variable.You should be able to take the currently exposed box and measure off of it horizontally, finding where the other studs behind the bookshelf are located. If you recall the approximate location of the box is, this should get you even closer.Then, is the box mounted on the left or right side of the stud?

2. 
   boatwright | Dec 02, 2001 06:13am | #6

   *If you have access to the other end of the wire, which you should, you can use a toner and amplifier-probe set. This is a test set used by phone techs mostly. The toner transmits a signal into the cable and the probe receives it and makes a sound when it is close to the cable. Handy tool, but at $60-$120, it may not be an option. Know any phone techs or electricians?

2. 
   Jerry_Jacobs | Dec 02, 2001 06:13am | #7

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   During the construction of our new home, I installed speaker wire inside an electrical box, then I attached the box to a wall stud. The drywallers saw the boxes and cut around them.
   However, my cabinet maker accidentally covered one of the speaker wire boxes when he installed a book shelf. How can I locate this box without drilling exploratory holes or by removing the shelf (which is securely fastened to the wall) Thanks