Cutting back boxes in plasterboard

[pc1966]

I find myself in the position of having to fit a few back boxes in to plasterboard. In the past for the odd one I just used a hand plasterboard saw to cut out a hole, but I wondered if anyone here has used something like the square/rectangular cutter adaptors you get for multi-tools to do this sort of thing. If so, how well did it work?

Suggestions for make/model?

TL;DR tips for cutting boxes in plasterboard

 

[westward10]

Not that I do much of this anymore but a jab saw is most people's weapon, few holes and is done very quickly.

 

[pc1966]

Not that I do much of this anymore but a jab saw is most people's weapon, few holes and is done very quickly.

That is my current method, just wondered if anything easier for doing a dozen or so.

 

[nicebutdim]

Multitool would speed the process up a bit for 12 boxes, but don't use a good blade.

 

[timhoward]

You might have seen this

Yes, they work. I actually prefer a jab saw or a normal multi tool.
I’m sure it’s my own incompetence but I find it hard to get them straight with a box cutter.

 

[westward10]

Multitool would speed the process up a bit for 12 boxes, but don't use a good blade.

Have you tried it?

 

[davesparks]

I just use the multitool with a wide wood blade.

 

[nicebutdim]

Have you tried it?

I keep a scrap blade for that very purpose. Also never lend a multi tool to someone without knowing what they want to cut - at least not with a decent blade in it.

 

[westward10]

I keep a scrap blade for that very purpose. Also never lend a multi tool to someone without knowing what they want to cut - at least not with a decent blade in it.

Is it any quicker?

 

[nicebutdim]

Is it any quicker?

I would say no for 2 or 3 boxes, but would save a little time and effort on a dozen. Also less chance of damaging thin plaster board than a blunt jab saw.

 

[davesparks]

Is it any quicker?

Not necessarily quicker but I find it much easier on my arthritic hands.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

Multitool + wood blade for me. I'm usually cutting into finished plaster board, and I find that the multitool gives a clean, straight cut, whereas I find a jab saw will chip the finish off and leave a rough-edged hole.

 

[nicebutdim]

The only hesitataion I have in using a multi tool is the fact that it lives underneath every other power tool. Needs to be worth the time of digging it out and carefully repacking everything so the lid closes.

 

[pirate]

I have used every tool known to man for this task! I have a dedicated mini-router which is very fast, and a mutitool which is also fast...they both create a lot of dust.
A sharp jab-saw is fast and accurate, creates much less dust and "swiping" the edges of the cutout with the back of the blade creates very accurate and "squared-off" apertures...and it doesn't need any power from mains or batteries, so all in all it's ideal for a few cuts in an occupied property. The mini-router is so fast though...if property is unoccupied and dust isn't a problem, it is super fast, and with the correct blade can trim very accurately. I love it...but it is a last resort if I want to minimise dust.
Jabsaw for me 90% of the time.

 

[nicebutdim]

Dust with a multi tool?

It cuts a much thinner section of material than a jab saw and shouldn't create more dust. Perhaps speed is an issue?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

As a few others have said... I use a multi tool rather than a jab saw. The plasterer politely (ish) suggested it as he said it was more likely to cut a smoothy, cleaner hole and he wouldn't need to return. He was right.

 

[pirate]

Fair point @nicebutdim However, the rapidity of the oscillation of a multitool or router creates much very fine dust which is rapidly airborne. A jabsaw is much slower and the dust is less fine, more "crumbly" and falls to the floor rather than becoming airborne.
That's my experience anyway...maybe I'm not skilled enough?
I always like the less intrusive approach for most tasks...yes, I still use buckle clips sometimes!
I always drill and screw rather than hammer, and I use a hole punch rather than a hole-saw to make holes in CUs and other accesories...gently does it!

 

[nicebutdim]

Fair point @nicebutdim However, the rapidity of the oscillation of a multitool or router creates much very fine dust which is rapidly airborne. A jabsaw is much slower and the dust is less fine, more "crumbly" and falls to the floor rather than becoming airborne.
That's my experience anyway...maybe I'm not skilled enough?
I always like the less intrusive approach for most tasks...yes, I still use buckle clips sometimes!
I always drill and screw rather than hammer, and I use a hole punch rather than a hole-saw to make holes in CUs and other accesories...gently does it!

Multi tool should be as intrusive as a jab saw, with a thin, clean line resulting from its use in pasterboard. There's no more skill involved in its use, than in using a jab saw - both involve following a pencil line. Both will, by their nature, create some airborne dust, but in both cases it should be minimal and not straying more than a very short distance from the cut surface. The only potential factor I could think of was excessive speed throwing dust a bit further. Perhaps its the tool itself or blade being used, but all I can say is my experience is very different from what you describe.

 

[pirate]

Happy to hear of your experince on this @nicebutdim
Maybe my technique is lacking! It probably is!
However, another reason I like the jabsaw is that you get tactile feedback, so if you hit an unexpected obstacle behind the plasterboard it's immediately obvious with the jabsaw...which can be useful feedback sometimes...
Plus, I am never in a hurry so taking 2 minutes more isn't a problem for me.
Guess I'm just old-fashioned...
I have every powertool imagineable, love using them, but if I can take a "gentler" route, I do that...
Not fast, not exciting, not fun...just gentle.
I use an electric screwdriver for face plate screws etc and it saves time and effort and my arthritic hands, but I like to do the final screwing back by hand...and I have never used a dugga-dugga in a CU...
I guess it's a case of what works for you...no wrong way really (except dugga-dugga in CU!)
No criticism intended for anyone who uses a multitool or router for backboxes in plasterboard...I do it too sometimes...all I was saying is that I like the slower, gentler approach, which is probably just because I am an old git!

 

[ipf]

I like the slower, gentler approach, which is probably just because I am an old git!

So never used a Stanley Yankee driver in years gone by?

What's a dugga-dugga?.......thought it was an Indian term