Stud spacing when installing enclosure not enough

az_r2d1 · Mar 16, 2011

I am installing an enclosure to have all the wiring (cat5e, rg6 , etc) all meet up in my house. I cut the hole in the drywall but the enclosure seems to be a tiny bit bigger than the space between the studs. It's a 42 inch tall enclosure. So now what do I do ?
I was thinking of shaving off the studs a little bit, what tool would I use for that ? Space between the studs is 14 inches, cabinet seems just a tad over that.

Thanks, great forum !

rditz · Mar 16, 2011

so is the enclosure too wide or too tall??

also, from your description it sounds as though you are trying to sink the enclosure into the stud cavity.

what are dimensions of your box??

if you are hitting a horizontal brace, cut the nails that fasten it to your vertical studs with a sawzall and then run the sawall between it and the drywall on the other side.. it should come right out..

what is on the back side of the wall you are putting the enclosure on??

pictures...

rod

az_r2d1 · Mar 16, 2011

Sorry, I guess I didn't make it clear enough. The enclosure has to sit between two vertical studs (sunken in , like you said). The enclosure is 14 1/8 inches and the stud space is exactly 14. It's very ridgid.
No horizontal studs there.
The backside is also drywall.
Attached are some pictures.

WillK · Mar 16, 2011

I think I'd have to go with a belt sander on this one.

az_r2d1 · Mar 16, 2011

Not a bad idea ! Thanks.

Would a oscillating multi tool work as well ?

VIPlumber · Mar 16, 2011

Personally I'd use a circular saw, set to maximum depth, and a hammer n' chisel.

kwikfishron · Mar 16, 2011

I’d filet it with a Stihl but that’s just me.

EDIT: Don't try this at home!

rditz · Mar 17, 2011

the circular saw is going to get you closer sooner than anything else.. the problem is that the depth of the 2x4 is greater than the depth of the cutting ability of the saw...

i would consider the next stud cavity to see if it has the space in it... if the studs are truly on 16" centres, then you should have 14 1/2" between them, leaving enough space for your box. I think that the cavity you are working in is smaller because it is at the end of your wall or they are shy of 16" centre.

rod

tcleve4911 · Mar 17, 2011

Before you go sanding & shaving, oscillating and chainsawing, take a scrap of 2x4 and cut it to 14-3/8".
Set it inside the cavity at an angle and beat on it to spread the studs.
You should get a screw 'pop' but just remove the screw, reinstall and mud.

There's always a little play in a single stud.

Like rditz says....16"o.c. should leave a 14-1/2" cavity

rditz · Mar 17, 2011

tcleve4911 said:
take a scrap of 2x4 and cut it to 14-3/8".
Set it inside the cavity at an angle and beat on it to spread the studs.

i like that approach... do this top and bottom, should work

tcleve4911 · Mar 17, 2011

Looking at your profile pic with the dozer, I knew you'd like the "beat on it" approach.....:laughing:

Get me my persuader.......

rditz · Mar 17, 2011

although not a professional contractor, I do a lot of different things...

I actually bought the tractor not running after it had been stored for 6 years and had it operating within a few weeks...

I have had to be creative from time to time and always like to learn new "tricks" to accomplish the goal at hand... this site is great for that and also seeing what NOT to do..

thanks

rod

kwikfishron · Mar 17, 2011

Sure you can always beat it in if you don’t mind a little drywall repair.:huh:

Underdog · Mar 17, 2011

If you could get your hands on a 3.5" router bit, that could work. That is, if you could control the router.

JCarsten · Mar 17, 2011

Have you seen one?

az_r2d1 · Mar 18, 2011

All, thanks for the help so far. I borrowed a belt sander from a friend, came with some 50 grit belts and it seems to take off the wood quite well. One small problem is, the belts keep breaking. He said they've been in his (hot) garage for several years so they might just be old and dried out. I need to get some new ones and then I'll continue. I can cover almost everything. Remaining pieces I will probably just chisel away.

tcleve4911 · Mar 18, 2011

:huh:

Really !!???

You belt sanded it ???????

Did you even give my idea a try ???

You must have made quite a mess.................

Oh well....:whistling2: I tried

Some people like to do things the hard way..........

rditz · Mar 18, 2011

make sure that the belts don't have a a direction on them... if you put them on in the reverse direction, the will break at the seam.

if the belts are old they will break, been there, done that...

"Did you even give my idea a try ???" I liked your idea a lot.. giving it a bit more thought, if one had a bottle jack that would work in the horizontal position, then you could spread the studs with that and then insert the 14 1/2: cross piece in at the desired location and let the jack off. no hammering or sweat required...

rod

az_r2d1 · Mar 18, 2011

I checked and the belts are not directional. I figure they are just too old.

YEs, I did consider the 14 1/2 in between studs. I am already dealing with a firewall on top (wires coming in) between the studs, and on the bottom there is electric coming in to the enclosure. Adding the 14 1/2 , fixing drywall, more issues fishing for wires... All in all the sander seems like an easier solution.

Tizzer · Mar 18, 2011

What did you use to cut the drywall? I assume you knocked a hole in the wall first to check for wiring. All those cables in your pic is why I ask....:whistling2:

A 1/2" is a lot for a belt sander to remove - I'd had tried a planer.

az_r2d1 · Mar 19, 2011

This is a 2nd enclosure. The wires on the right are in the first enclosure. Yes, I drilled a hole and checked for wires first.

I cut the drywall with a dremel tool.

tcleve4911 · Mar 27, 2011

you're nuts.......

I can't believe you're making so much work out of this simple procedure......

Spread the studs!!!!!!

I'd be willing to bet that there's 14-1/2" between the studs at the shoe and the top plate. You've got a bowed stud, that's all.............geez:whistling2:

Stud spacing when installing enclosure not enough

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