Fixing a back box in lath and plaster wall

Nov 14, 2017 4 Replies

We have a double socket about three feet above floor level, set in a lath and plaster wall. Never been right since we moved in, the only fixings being screws through the back box into the laths behind. Long story short, only one of the screws is really secure, the others being too close to the edge of a lath, which splits.



Today, I used a long bolt to secure a three hole strip of Meccano behind the back box, and 'toggled' it into position such that the Meccano is



45/225 degrees behind the lath/plaster, and, when tightened, together with a screw fixing in the opposite corner, gives a good solid fixing of the back box. Wifey is delighted.

Yes most of my Meccano has been used for all sorts of jobs like this, and yet its basically crap bits of old steel with holes painted various colours. Brian

In message , Brian Gaff writes

Crap bits of old steel, Brian? Wash your mouth out! (insert smiley of choice)

Other way is to glue a bit of wood to the back of the laths, running down the sides of the box. Drill some suitable holes in the side of the box, and screw to it. It can also be used for fixing a steel box to a plasterboard wall. If you set the box back slightly into the wall, fitting the socket will clamp it all up good and tight.

Some of my Meccano was 1920s, I half wish I still had it.

NT

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