make it fit

[John Dirks Jr]

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[Jim Katen]

I'm guilty of having done that on more than one occasion.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Bain]

I've done that before, in old houses with plaster walls I've lived in.

Not that it's best practice, mind you.

[gtblum]

Is there a box behind it?

[Jim Katen]

I've done that before, in old houses with plaster walls I've lived in.

You've lived in plaster walls?

(Ha, ha, I kill myself!)

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Brandon Whitmore]

I've seen it that way plenty of times. I'd prefer to have them modify the trim and not the cover plate.

Wouldn't the modification of the plate technically not be allowed?

[Bain]

I've done that before, in old houses with plaster walls I've lived in.

You've lived in plaster walls?

(Ha, ha, I kill myself!)

- Jim Katen, Oregon

Well, but before they got my medicine regulated just so, that was the only place where I truly felt safe.

And it had to be plaster. Gypsum simply wasn't sturdy enough . . .

[Bain]

I've seen it that way plenty of times. I'd prefer to have them modify the trim and not the cover plate.

Wouldn't the modification of the plate technically not be allowed?

I'll defer to others RE the plate, but modifying the trim is a major pain in the arse, and the final product looks awful besides.

It's meaningless, but those switchplates are tough to trim because they break so easily. Once in place, though, after the rough edges are caulked and painted, everything blends in pretty well.

[kurt]

Yeah, what carpenter, working on their own old house, hasn't done that?

[charlieb]

I've seen it that way plenty of times. I'd prefer to have them modify the trim and not the cover plate.

Wouldn't the modification of the plate technically not be allowed?

I'll defer to others RE the plate, but modifying the trim is a major pain in the arse, and the final product looks awful besides.

It's meaningless, but those switchplates are tough to trim because they break so easily. Once in place, though, after the rough edges are caulked and painted, everything blends in pretty well.

Spend a few more cents and spring for the nylon plate. Cuts like a dream.

[John Dirks Jr]

Is there a box behind it?

I didn't remove the cover. The switch worked and it felt solidly mounted. If there was no box, what would hold the switch?

[Neal Lewis]

The switch yoke could be screwed into the wood lathe without a box. Did it a few times when I was young and didn't know any better.

[Jim Katen]

Is there a box behind it?

I didn't remove the cover. The switch worked and it felt solidly mounted. If there was no box, what would hold the switch?

The coverplate is screwed onto the switch yoke. The switch might be screwed to a box or it might be screwed to a couple of pieces of lath.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Jeff Remas]

I too will join those in admitting I have done that before. I had to shave off about 3/8" at the most though. Always in an older home that had wide trim. Never on new construction.

[John Kogel]

Make it fit, or make the wall fit. []

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[kurt]

If there was no box, what would hold the switch?

I've found them foamed in place with Great Stuff.

[Tom Raymond]

To get really creative, when I wanted wood covers in my kitchen I had to custom make one for a three gang box with two switches and a duplex receptacle. After some careful measuring and cutting I laminated two covers together. Far better looking than the decora device alternative.

Tom

[John Dirks Jr]

If I ever see this again, I'll do some exploring by removing the cover to see what is, or isn't under it.