Replacing old light switch, hole too small.


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Old 12-05-14, 06:41 PM
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Replacing old light switch, hole too small.

Trying to replace a light switch from the 40s and ran into a problem. The hole is too small for a new box/switch. I can't even see the screws holding the current switch in place. Voltage tester goes off on every side of the switch 3+ inches away. How can I possibly make the hole large enough without cutting through a wire?

I'm on my phone, pics to follow.
 
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Old 12-05-14, 06:45 PM
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Welcome to the forums.

Pics are definitely needed. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...rt-images.html
 
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Old 12-05-14, 07:27 PM
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The hole is too small for a new box/switch. I can't even see the screws holding the current switch in place. Voltage tester goes off on every side of the switch 3+ inches away.
Throw the toy away, it's useless in most cases. Make the hole bigger.......CAREFULLY.
 
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Old 12-05-14, 08:56 PM
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There's probably just so much extra mud/plaster and paint around the switch and on the screw that its covering up the screws and the rest of the box.

Turn off power and slowly, gently and preferably with a blunt instrument. You can use a screwdriver, just go slow.
 
 

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