Cutting Drywall Around Outlet Boxes
Carpentry, Electrical and Lighting, Home Improvement, Simple Solutions, Video by Joe Truini
It’s easy to make a mistake when measuring and marking the location of electrical outlets on drywall. To prevent this from happening, coat the edge of the outlet box with brightly colored lipstick.
Position the sheet of wallboard in place, and push it firmly up against the outlet box.
This transfers the lipstick to the drywall, leaving an outline of the box on the back of the sheet.
Using a drywall keyhole saw, cut around the outside of the line.
Slide the sheet of drywall in place for a perfect fit every time.
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4 Comments on “Cutting Drywall Around Outlet Boxes”
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June 5th, 2008 at 5:04 am
They make grease pens specifically for this purpose. They cost less and are usually easier to remove extra if you accidentally mark something you don’t want to. As an added bonus, I don’t have to explain why I have lipstick in my toolbox or tool belt to my friends. Cheapest route to go is get some colored kids sidewalk chalk, that doesn’t mark as well, but is even easier to remove and the cheapest. One big chunk will last years in your toolbox. Or kids watercolor paints. A couple drops of water in it so it’s kind of sludgy and use your finger to transfer it.
You also only have to make a small mark at the four corners, no need to outline the whole thing.
I understand the idea and it’s not a bad one, but there are better ways to go.
June 5th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Kurt where can you pick up a grease pen? Your local neighborhood art store?
I’m with you though about the lipstick. And if you get any on you try explaining that one to your wife.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Look at a welding supply store or a plumbing supply store. Or an autoparts store might have it. Or go to amazon.com and search grease pen, you can get a new one for a little more than a dollar. Though an art store might have it as well, but I don’t know about that for sure.
–KurtRoedeger
October 7th, 2008 at 11:15 am
When we bought our house a year or so ago, there was a mini-chest with odds and ends left in the shop by the previous owners. We found two tubes of lipstick in one of the drawers and came up with some wild explanations. Case closed.
Also, my wife always has a tube of lipstick she bought and never uses. Might as well use it for drywall and save a buck.