this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2023
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DIY

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Any great ideas on how to pull the outlet forward without pulling the panel off? I’m thinking I might be able to cut the board enough to get the outlet tabs out but still hide the hole behind the plate.

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[–] Godnroc 34 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Can you just remove the screws, slide it up, then pull the bottom out intact, then remove the top? Looks like you got some wiggle room.

[–] Agrivar 18 points 1 year ago

That's definitely how I'd start tackling this issue. The bottom tab is just barely stuck. FWIW, I am a contractor.

[–] hi_its_me 31 points 1 year ago

Update: used a utility knife to cut enough board away to get one tab and the screws out, then slid it down and was able to wiggle it out. Now on to the other receptacle the idiot did the same thing to

[–] OldManBOMBIN 9 points 1 year ago

Aw c'mon, Lutron isn't that bad. A lot of people actually like em.

[–] reddig33 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

They make plastic spacers just for this purpose. You can probably find them at your local big box hardware store.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYGkKRKUcws

[–] ArbiterXero 2 points 1 year ago

Use the spacers!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Let me preface this by "I'm not a contractor". I'd use a multi tool to expand your cut a little bit on the top and bottom, then use "outlet spacers" to move the switch forward.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Cut it out, install a box extender, then put on oversized plates to cover the mess

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think they make box extenders that might help this situation.

[–] hi_its_me 2 points 1 year ago

The funny thing is… I have them, and planned on installing them, just after the board went in. Just didn’t plan on sealing the outlet into the box.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Get an oscillating multi tool, cut out the switch, then use spacers to bring it forward.