Best surface patress boxes?

[sparkdog]

I seem to have endless trouble with rubbish 1 gang deep surface boxes.I tighten the face plate screws up and they just go "crunch"as the captive nut supports disintegrate they are so thin and brittle.Thinking of trying MK or Crabtree in the hope they may be better made.I don't know how some manufacturers are allowed to put a BS number on their rubbish products.

 

[Dazza1976]

I think this is a common problem if you are a bit heavy handed and over tighten them.
i did buy some made by Click when I was using a different wholesaler near a job I was doing once, and they seemed to be the most robust ones I have ever used.
the Knockouts broke out lovely without any damage, and they just seemed to have a far more robust feel to them, out of the 20 odd I used, none broke atall.

They don't seem to stock them anywhere like screw fix though, I have only seen them in smaller wholesalers.

 

[ruston]

If I have to fit surface boxes I always fit polycarbonate conduit type boxes. As you say the others are rubbish and offer no resistance to impact whatsoever. If I have to fit them I make it clear why, it's then up to the customer to decide if they want them flush.

32mm 1 Gang Surface Pattress Moulded Box White

 

[Johnuk]

I use the same brand as am installing I,e crabtree, volex or mk, don't use cheap crap lol

 

[londonlec]

I use the MT 'soft' boxes.

 

[tbs1983]

As above the click ones are pretty good, as are mk. The cheap ones cause more hassle than their worth, nothing worse than 2nd fixing a 3gang switch then having to re do it after box cracks!!!

 

[kingeri]

I've never really had boxes crack upon screwing down the accessory. Sure you're not overtightening?

 

[tbs1983]

I've never really had boxes crack upon screwing down the accessory. Sure you're not overtightening?

Quite common in cold weather with cheap boxes, ive even had them crack top to bottom screwing them to the wall

 

[ruston]

Quite common in cold weather with cheap boxes, ive even had them crack top to bottom screwing them to the wall

I've had them crack in the carrier bag lol.

 

[RyanCheetham]

Always buy a couple spares just in case they crack, i do it most often when removing the knock outs. I am too lazy to hacksaw them out so i snap them out with side cutters sometimes this goes wrong and they just shatter. Are there any better methods for prepping the boxes?

 

[Swicade]

I've not had a problem with the Hager one's yet but often had issue's with the cheaper GET one's my locl wholesaler used to fob off on me.

 

[sparkdog]

Thanks for all the answers.I will get quality boxes in future.Possibly been a bit heavy handed but I do like things to be secure.I used to think if it had a BS number it must be up to spec but seems it does not stand for much nowadays.I find I am having to use quality stuff for just about everything now.I only use Ashley junction boxes.The cheapo stuff is only fit for the bin.

 

[applemac]

Stick em on my dashboard and heat them up, much better results! Why do we put up with this rubbish? Cost I suppose...