Not able to secure vanity light to back plate with any screws

luvxyz · 10-08-2008, 12:16 PM

can't secure the new light so i put the old light back. thx for all of you.

Marvin Gardens · 10-08-2008, 01:35 PM

Do you have an electrical box in there?

luvxyz · 10-08-2008, 01:41 PM

Yes, there is a box, but there is only two holes and there was nothing behind it. No wood, no dry wall. It's all empty; that's the reason why I can't screw anything into it. There are two holes in the middle, but there are metal beind it blocking the way, so I can't scew anything there either. I added a picture of the box in the album. Please take a look it.

Marvin Gardens · 10-08-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvxyz

Yes, there is a box, but there is only two holes and there was nothing behind it. No wood, no dry wall. It's all empty; that's the reason why I can't screw anything into it. There are two holes in the middle, but there are metal beind it blocking the way, so I can't scew anything there either. I added a picture of the box in the album. Please take a look it.

Well I am not sure what is going on here as it is not all that clear.

If the light is small and doesn't weigh much you can use a retrograde box that will hold weight if installed correctly. These boxes have "wings" on them that will tighten up against the wall board and act as anchors.

jbfan · 10-08-2008, 02:28 PM

You will have to cut the screws to make them shorter. It happens all the time.

luvxyz · 10-08-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvin Gardens

Well I am not sure what is going on here as it is not all that clear.

If the light is small and doesn't weigh much you can use a retrograde box that will hold weight if installed correctly. These boxes have "wings" on them that will tighten up against the wall board and act as anchors.

I think I know what you are refering to. Unfortunatly I have a havy light.

**Termite** · 10-08-2008, 05:06 PM

The box in the picture is a pancake box. It is a very common box, and is made of metal. What you need is a mounting strap (or "hickey") to accommodate the light fixture screws. The hickey screws to the box.

You should be using machine-thread screws...You are, right?

**Termite** · 10-08-2008, 05:09 PM

If the pancake box isn't secured to anything, it should be easy to remove and replace with a box that will physically mount to the sheetrock with the aforementioned little plastic wings. There are other configurations as well.

220/221 · 10-08-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

If the pancake box isn't secured to anything, it should be easy to remove and replace with a box that will physically mount to the sheetrock with the aforementioned little plastic wings.

It's a pan box for a reason. There will be a stud behind it.

Like jbfan said, you just need the right length screws (8/32's) that won't hit the back of the box.

If that is a FAN pan box, the screws will be 10/32's and will slip thru the tabs and screw into the back of the box.

**Termite** · 10-08-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220/221

It's a pan box for a reason. There will be a stud behind it.

I'd certainly hope so too, but the OP indicated that there wasn't anything behind it.

220/221 · 10-08-2008, 08:18 PM

He was confused

10-08-2008, 12:16 PM	#1
luvxyz Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3	Not able to secure vanity light to back plate with any screws can't secure the new light so i put the old light back. thx for all of you. Last edited by luvxyz; 10-09-2008 at 11:03 AM.

10-08-2008, 01:35 PM	#2
Marvin Gardens Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,186	Not able to secure vanity light to back plate with any screws Do you have an electrical box in there? __________________ My idea of a perfect day: No where to go and all day to get there.

10-08-2008, 01:41 PM	#3
luvxyz Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3	Not able to secure vanity light to back plate with any screws Yes, there is a box, but there is only two holes and there was nothing behind it. No wood, no dry wall. It's all empty; that's the reason why I can't screw anything into it. There are two holes in the middle, but there are metal beind it blocking the way, so I can't scew anything there either. I added a picture of the box in the album. Please take a look it. Last edited by luvxyz; 10-08-2008 at 01:51 PM.

10-08-2008, 02:28 PM	#5
jbfan Electrical Contractor Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Newnan GA Posts: 5,078	Not able to secure vanity light to back plate with any screws You will have to cut the screws to make them shorter. It happens all the time. __________________ Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

10-08-2008, 05:06 PM	#7
Termite Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6,520	Not able to secure vanity light to back plate with any screws The box in the picture is a pancake box. It is a very common box, and is made of metal. What you need is a mounting strap (or "hickey") to accommodate the light fixture screws. The hickey screws to the box. You should be using machine-thread screws...You are, right?

Not able to secure vanity light to back plate with any screws