theparty had written this in response to
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: The OP returns:
All great replies. I posted the original question, so this is to let you know that I returned and did read all the suggestions, and now I?ll be able to tackle the job. Responding to your suggestions, in order, to let you all know what I?ve taken from this:
I can?t get to the nail heads, but I will take my time. I?m sure the opening will get larger, and there'll be no connections hidden in the wall; they WILL be in the new box. I don?t think I?ll be able to dismantle the old box, especially given the size of the nails in it now. I?ll try prying the old box from the stud. I first considered leaving the old box and patching it over, but the new box will be right behind it - no room for two boxes opposite each other and no slack to move the wires far enough. The old wires are knob mounted and the hot continues through the box to a switch (in another box about 20 inches below this one) for the hallway light, so I can?t easily abandon the wires. The attic light switch is exactly at eye level - I gotta? remove the box! A hack saw blade is the answer; I?ll open up the hole a little, pry the box from the stud a bit, then hack the nails and remove the box. If the wires won?t catch it I might just drop it into the wall. The attic light is above the folding stairs, and the pull chain should be easily reachable when I?m halfway up them, the roof is low. So: I?ll look for a handle to hold a blade so I can hack the nails off and if I can?t find a handle I?ll fashion one of duct tape and stuff. Thanks!