Help me install a new light in my bathroom.

[DWhiteRiot]

First off, my electrical knowledge is minimal, if after I post my problem and those more experienced can chime in and let me know if I should contact a professional go ahead and say so.

We want to install a new light in our master bath. Got the old one off and down to the junction box.


as you can see from this angle, it's not exactly in there square and flush with the wall.


the new light fixture attaches to this

two holes are used to attach to the junction box and two have bolts coming out the other way to attach to the light.

as you see here on the box of the fixture there are two little balls that attach to the screws that are attached to the plate.


my problem with it is because it is not flush it is not holding on there as it should, there is a lot of 'extra' bolt showing through after attaching the fixture. I figured easy fix went and got shorter bolts (3/4 inch) and (1/2 inch), they are either still to long or are too short

As I stated at the beginning my electrical knowledge doesn't extend much beyond knowing to keep the power off when working with it. Is there anything to do to straighten on the box? An armchair electrician at work suggested putting in a new box, but I would not even know where to begin with that, any ideas?

[barry2952]

Take a deep breath.

What you need is readily available at a big box store. It's called a thread cutting stripper.

My dinner's ready. I'll get back to you.

[Mk1Racer]

Pretty sure this is what barry is referring to.



It has sizes for most common machine screws. You thread it in to the desired length and then cut it.

[barry2952]

Yes, thanks. You open the cutter until the specific hole and thread size line up. You thread the machine-thread screw into the threaded hole with what you want cut off going through the unthreaded hole, which acts as the cutting die. Squeezing the handle cuts the screw off. Backing the screw out of the threaded side cleans the threads alloying you to install it without cross-threading the screws.

[DWhiteRiot]

Thanks guys, I actually already have one of those. I had used it for running and stripping speaker wire, never even thought of it for its alternate use

Sometimes you just need a little help to see what's right in front of your face

[Minker17]

Thanks guys, I actually already have one of those. I had used it for running and stripping speaker wire, never even thought of it for its alternate use

Yeah, no idea I could do that. So you just snip machine screws at the desired length?

[barry2952]

Yup, or make a hole in the wall where the screw can move back as the ball nut is tightened.