Cutting channel in plastered wall

[Tony_Kent]

Ahead of having a room professionally redecorated next week I want to install a new socket into one of the walls.

It’s plaster on brick, not boarded.

This needs about two metres of channel for the conduit and then a hole for the back box.

What’s the right tool and method for cutting this?

I’ve an angle grinder, SDS drill, circular saw and the normal selection of decent DIY tools but don’t know what’s best to use.

 

[Mottie]

Out of what you have, I’d say the angle grinder with a stone cutting wheel for the channel and then hammer and chisel/bolster for the back box. I always cut my back box holes deeper than the box, fling a dollop of cement/plaster/filler whatever in the hole and set the back box in position at the correct depth and then leave overnight before drilling and screwing.

 

[denso13]

What’s the right tool and method for cutting this?

More importantly remember safe zones for cable runs and the correct depth/protection depending on the existing circuit protection you have.

 

[Rodders53]

To save a big, big dusty mess: don't go angle grinder.

SDS chisel bit will do, I'd have thought. Or plain old bolster and club hammer.

EDIT a multitool may do the job with minimal dust?

 

[Tony_Kent]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I don’t mind buying a new tool if it’s going to help me to get the job done well.

I think I’ll cut the outer lines for the channel with the angle grinder and then try the SDS chisel bit to remove the material.

 

[martygturner]

Personally I would use a sds chasing chisel... eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-771...sel&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1730804260&sr=8-5

Just run give it a sharpen with a grinder every 50ft.

 

[Tony_Kent]

Personally I would use a sds chasing chisel... eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-771...sel&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1730804260&sr=8-5

Just run give it a sharpen with a grinder every 50ft.

Thanks.

Do I need to cut a groove either side first, or just start straight on the bare wall?

 

[ETAF]

i have used a multitool - not great for cutting a long channel - in the end used an angle grinder - BUT that did create a LOT of dust - had a couple of sheets of tarpaulin and 2 vacuum cleaners ON when i did this to TRY to minimis some of the DUST

Multi-tool for the Boxes - which i screwed into the existing brickwork

are you having the walls re-plastered ? how decorated , if just painting , then the channel may show depending on how filled

 

[Tony_Kent]

Personally I would use a sds chasing chisel... eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-771...sel&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1730804260&sr=8-5

Just run give it a sharpen with a grinder every 50ft.

Thanks.

Do I need to cut a groove earthed side first, or just start straight on the bare wall

i have used a multitool - not great for cutting a long channel - in the end used an angle grinder - BUT that did create a LOT of dust - had a couple of sheets of tarpaulin and 2 vacuum cleaners ON when i did this to TRY to minimis some of the DUST

Multi-tool for the Boxes - which i screwed into the existing brickwork

are you having the walls re-plastered ? how decorated , if just painting , then the channel may show depending on how filled

Yes, I’ve got the decorators coming in next week, who’ll plaster and paint.

I’m half wondering now whether to get someone in for the work. The chisel’s £45, the cutters for the back box about £60, and I’ll likely never use them again.

I can see me ending up making a bit of a mess of it.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I’ve an angle grinder, SDS drill, circular saw and the normal selection of decent DIY tools but don’t know what’s best to use.

Angle grinder, fitted with stone disc for the cable run, but it will cause a lot of dust. For the box in the wall, drill a series of holes with the sds, a little deeper that the box depth, then join the holes with either a chisel sds bit, and/or hammer and chisel. Drill a fixing hole for the box, then set the box in place, with either plaster, or sand and cement, pulling it tight with the screw.

 

[thomp1983]

For 2m personally I'd stitch drill it and for the box outline and then either hammer and bolster chisel depending on how hard the block work is, if it's quite hard then sds chisel to knock out.

Use a bit of tape on your drill bit when stitch drilling so there all at an even depth and it will knock out quite easily, should only take an hour at most.

 

[martygturner]

Thanks.

Do I need to cut a groove earthed side first, or just start straight on the bare wall

Yes, I’ve got the decorators coming in next week, who’ll plaster and paint.

I’m half wondering now whether to get someone in for the work. The chisel’s £45, the cutters for the back box about £60, and I’ll likely never use them again.

I can see me ending up making a bit of a mess of it.

Just go at it.. but the flea bay or amazon jobs do the business, the £50 ones last but as its a small job..