Bad positioning or too fussy?

[sehs527]

I'm a homeowner and looking for some advice. We have taken on a house renovation and had an electrician do a rewire. The second fix has just been done with socket faces now on etc. We've spent a little extra on faceplates but I'm not happy with the positioning with some of the sockets/switches. Thankfully most are ok but there are a few grouped together that are all spaced differently and it looks messy (pictured on studded walls): The fan switches are different heights (one I can reach the other I can't), they're different distances away from the door way/architrave.

I asked the electrician about it and understandably it's hard to be accurate during the first fix and I guess stud wall frames can affect positioning. Just wondering what you guys think?

 

[mainline]

Nah, they don’t look that great to be fair.

You don't leave them on the wall

 

[nicebutdim]

Anyone else use these.

Pardon our interruption...

Can't see what it would bring to the party.

 

[mainline]

Can't see what it would bring to the party.

They do save a bit of time, especially when used in conjunction with a laser level.

But each to their own

 

[SparkySy]

Yes I use a draper one that does both single and twin it's not as big as the one you linked to, and it is very handy especially if used with a laser. Good in big kitchens ect, then just fly round with the multi cutter! Template even has the center marked.
Perfect size for dry line boxes and metal KO boxes.

like this. Didn't pay that much for it though!
Sy

Draper 63955 Electrical Socket Back Box Template Cutter Level 798256149504 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Draper 63955 Electrical Socket Back Box Template Cutter Level at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[mainline]

Yes I use a draper one that does both single and twin it's not as big as the one you linked to, and it is very handy especially if used with a laser. Good in big kitchens ect, then just fly round with the multi cutter! Template even has the center marked.
Perfect size for dry line boxes and metal KO boxes.

like this. Didn't pay that much for it though!
Sy

Draper 63955 Electrical Socket Back Box Template Cutter Level 798256149504 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Draper 63955 Electrical Socket Back Box Template Cutter Level at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

I have that one as well, but find having a vertical level is sometimes handy

 

[nicebutdim]

They do save a bit of time, especially when used in conjunction with a laser level.

But each to their own

Surely running a pencil around a box is just as quick, especially when used in conjunction with a laser level?

One box with torpedo level.

Multiple boxes with laser level.

Genuinely curious what the benefit actual benefit there is?

 

[mainline]

Surely running a pencil around a box is just as quick, especially when used in conjunction with a laser level?

One box with torpedo level.

Multiple boxes with laser level.

Genuinely curious what the benefit actual benefit there is?

I found torpedo type levels, especially the red laser type, are pretty useless on a long wall, self levelling green are a different kettle of fish.

The draper one has a height set, so you can be sure that all heights from the worktop will be the same.

When doing a single isolator switch next to a double socket for instance, you know the gap between them will be the same, much quicker and accurate to mark.

Also, you don't have to carry a level, and a pair of back boxs just the tool and a pencil.

 

[nicebutdim]

I found torpedo type levels, especially the red laser type, are pretty useless on a long wall, self levelling green are a different kettle of fish.

The draper one has a height set, so you can be sure that all heights from the worktop will be the same.

When doing a single isolator switch next to a double socket for instance, you know the gap between them will be the same, much quicker and accurate to mark.

Also, you don't have to carry a level, and a pair of back boxs just the tool and a pencil.

Well it's fairly apparent how they work, but I questioned what real benefit they provide. If you're fitting a single box, it's unlikely you'll bother setting up a laser - yes this template has an integrated level, but who doesn't have a small level to hand in their toolbox/bag?

If you're marking out multiple boxes, and setting up a laser line, I don't see the benefit over a box positioned along that line.

Spacing between boxes is no great hardship and the usual methods of measuring allow spacing to be set at any distance of your pleasing, rather than a single, pre-determined distance.

Would you often find yourself marking out a kitchen with only this template and a pencil to hand? I suspect it's more than likely you'll have at least a small level and tape measure to hand at that stage in a job.

Maybe I'm missing something here as my main concern when marking out boxes is ensuring they're exactly where a drawing indicates they should be.

 

[mainline]

Well it's fairly apparent how they work, but I questioned what real benefit they provide. If you're fitting a single box, it's unlikely you'll bother setting up a laser - yes this template has an integrated level, but who doesn't have a small level to hand in their toolbox/bag?

If you're marking out multiple boxes, and setting up a laser line, I don't see the benefit over a box positioned along that line.

Spacing between boxes is no great hardship and the usual methods of measuring allow spacing to be set at any distance of your pleasing, rather than a single, pre-determined distance.

Would you often find yourself marking out a kitchen with only this template and a pencil to hand? I suspect it's more than likely you'll have at least a small level and tape measure to hand at that stage in a job.

Maybe I'm missing something here as my main concern when marking out boxes is ensuring they're exactly where a drawing indicates they should be.

All I can say is you carry on doing it your way like I did for years without using one, i, ll join the 1000s of people who bought one.

 

[nicebutdim]

All I can say is you carry on doing it your way like I did for years without using one, i, ll join the 1000s of people who bought one.

That's fair enough, but I asked what the benefits were and you pointed out that it saves you having tools in your bag that will already be in your bag for numerous other reasons.

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't use these templates, but don't see any real benefit in doing so.

 

[ipf]

Anyone else use these.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254817981898?hash=item3b5455d5ca:g:5SQAAOSwHVVf50v~[/vURL]

I have a couple of little magnetic levels for fixing inside metal boxes to be sure of horizontal and vertical.

....and if you believe that, well??

Nowt wrong wit' 'rack o' th' eye'...or laser line or basic spirit level, of course.
as per #21.

 

[swaRRR]

Agree with you OP - it looks cack.

Is that definitely newly plastered? The pic with the socket next to the architrave looks like the wall needs renovation, looks old.

There's no excuse imo for not putting your first fix in a straight line. If you have to work around studwork etc you simply work around it by cutting out the appropriate piece, moving it, or notching.

2/10 for the spark here.

The fan switches are supposed to be up high, it's that way on all new builds anyway.

 

[nicebutdim]

OP posted last December and hasn't been back since. Thread now repurposed

 

[mainline]

That's fair enough, but I asked what the benefits were and you pointed out that it saves you having tools in your bag that will already be in your bag for numerous other reasons.

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't use these templates, but don't see any real benefit in doing so.

 

[swaRRR]

Didn't watch the vid but isn't he just using it as a spirit level?