In the ongoing Schuko saga, the kitchen fitters have installed two dry lining boxes by screwing the yellow bits sideways into the chipboard, leaving them wholly rigid and not quite parallel. Is this a recognised way of fitting a back box?
Can dry lining boxes be used with chipboard? Someone told me they were intended for plasterboard only, but I suspect this is incorrect.
Kitchen fitters tend to use the cheapest and fastest method.
Better alternatives are available when you DIY.
I guessed that. I'm wondering whether it is a recognised method or a bodge. i
Certainly a recognised method but badly executed. Within the backbox itself there might be a method to aligning the faceplate when fitted as there is in most metal plaster in boxes.
No. But you can pull them out and replace. It's the lugs that clamp them when done up as I'm sure you're aware.
No reason why not. if the lugs can accommodate the thickness.
I suspect they screwed them on that way because the lugs would not go back far enough to hook round the chipboard. As I have previously said I found out to my cost when trying to install boxes that only accommodate PB up to 12mm. You can get boxes that will fit thicker PB and that is probably what you need to specify when ordering.
Richard
These claim up to 18mm
I was at this stage but having read some of the other posts I feel wiser :-)
Some of the 47mm dry liners have lugs that will fit double boarded walls.
Probably Scolmore ones from memory, but not the Appeleby ones with the yellow lugs.
Get them back to do the job properly.
Given that I am not a qualified electrician, would I not need to instruct an expert report to demonstrate that what they have done is not correct? This could cost orders of magnitude more than the sum in dispute.
Thanks. I make the thickness 18mm but that is not an accurate measurement given I have not removed the existing box.
There is plenty of space behind so I wonder if a 47mm box would be a better bet.
Looking elsewhere, I wonder if a pattress box - with four screws in the corners - would be an option. This must happen all the time with chipboard. I am amazed that the boxes don't fit by default.
Sorry. More research. Up to 20mm.
What have electrics got to do with it?
This is a mechanical job.
If the complaint is that the sockets are crooked in or another plane then this is aesthetics, net electrical fitting, so you are as qualified as anyone to object.
It's about electrical fitting, as I said. As I see it, if the electrician gives evidence that it is customary to fit in this way, and bring witness to this effect, then I don't see how I can win in the absence of technical evidence. Unless anyone here fancies a wee day out ....
If they have not done the wiring yet, simply take out the crap ones and fit the right sort, they probably will not notice it anyway. Even if the wiring is done replacing like for like is not notifiable so you can still do DIY.
Richard
That is exactly what I am planning to do. I am waiting for a replacement socket from MK. I have bought a box with screws in the front (also MK) which I hope will overcome all the fitting difficulties and produce a neat job. .
If the final result looks nice and is stable then it is probably as good a way of fitting them as any and I don't see what you are complaining about. If they don't look straight and satisfactory you need no technical evidence to reject them.
Because screws that should move in or out with ease require a huge amount of force to align and insert. Boxes must be designed with moveable lugs for a reason.
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