Electrical Box Removal

[LOW1]

Anyone have any tips for removing metal electrical boxes without destroying drywall?

 

[mike93lx]

Can you get it loose and drop it in the wall?

An oscillating multi tool can be useful for cutting nails

 

[dave*99]

If the box is flush, you can patch the drywall right over the box. (Assuming there are no live wires in the box.)

If the box is nailed to the side of a stud, slip a sawzall blade between the box and stud and cut the nails.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Are the wires gone?

 

[JRC3]

Loosen the Romex connectors inside the box. Get a metal recip blade between the box and stud and cut through the box's nails. You'll either be able to push it up or down and wiggle it out starting with one bracket, or manipulate the wires out as you let it fall into the cavity and leave it. An abandoned empty box isn't gonna hurt anything.

 

[Norcal]

If it's a plastic nail on box a metal Sawzall blade between the box & the stud to cut the nails work quite well, might have to stick a flat bar in there to loosen things up first.

 

[JRC3]

Are the wires gone?

Yeah, it might be easier for suggestion if we know more details and the end game plan.

 

[Copymutt]

Leave it. Dummy box for small valuables

 

[LOW1]

I need to replace the box because I want to add some 14-2 which will enter the bottom of the new box and extend to a new outlet. The old box has no bottom knockouts so I cant get the 14-2 'to it
I will then also reinstall the outlet in the new box


So where the original outlet was will continue to have an outlet but in a New box.

I have the original box somewhat loose but not free.

Thanks for the responses so far.

 

[Zeke]

Many different types. The real old ones nailed to the face of the stud and are smaller. Those are usually set in wood lath and plaster. Using s Sawzall will destroy the plaster keys. They do come out though. I'm surprised there is no KO. Sometimes they are there but flush and a little dirt hides them. I have a way to get those out.

 

[dave*99]

I need to replace the box because I want to add some 14-2 which will enter the bottom of the new box and extend to a new outlet. The old box has no bottom knockouts so I cant get the 14-2 'to it
I will then also reinstall the outlet in the new box


So where the original outlet was will continue to have an outlet but in a New box.

I have the original box somewhat loose but not free.

Thanks for the responses so far.

Post a photo of the old box. The folks here will have all the answers specific to your situation.

 

[BigGarage]

Many different types. The real old ones nailed to the face of the stud and are smaller. Those are usually set in wood lath and plaster. Using s Sawzall will destroy the plaster keys. They do come out though. I'm surprised there is no KO. Sometimes they are there but flush and a little dirt hides them. I have a way to get those out.

In my 2nd floor 1/2 bath I had to remove one like you described. I was lucky, it was nailed to the stud for the doorway. I did remove a trim piece temporarily. I'm not sure if the old box had knockouts on the bottom but if it didn't it was probably because all the wiring came from above. That and this is just a light switch.

 

[Zeke]

The reason there are KO's on both ends is that the box can be nailed right or left and fed from top/bottom either way.