Electrical box too narrow for new light fixture

Submitted by virginiadentata t3_y6owar in DIY

I’m trying to install a new light fixture, and was able to mount the included T-piece to the box, but the screws that are supposed to attach the fixture to the T-piece are hitting the sides of the box so I can’t make the base of the light flush with the ceiling. The mounting screws must be 2.75” apart to take the fixture, so I’m not sure a different T-piece will help, since the box is the limiting factor.

They will screw about 1/4” past the T-piece before hitting the box— can I just shorten the screws/purchase shorter screws, or will it not be secure enough? The box is sunk into a plaster ceiling and I think beyond my ability/desire to exchange, so hoping to avoid that.

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Reddit-username_here t1_isqnq2q wrote

How heavy is the light fixture?

If it's not something crazy like a cast iron chandelier, or weighing more than a few pounds, yeah, cut the screws with an angle grinder.

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virginiadentata OP t1_isr2dpx wrote

It’s small! Just a simple 2 bulb flush mount.

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Reddit-username_here t1_isr45mq wrote

Yeah, trim those bastards. You'll really only need 3 or 4 threads in there to hold. Obviously, try to keep them as long as you can rather than cutting them as short as possible.

Edit: you can take more off, but you can't put more back on

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rhineo007 t1_isyz54c wrote

If you know an electrician, their wire strippers will have threaded bolt cutters on the for fixture screws (6-32 - 8/32)

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usedTP t1_issg6i9 wrote

Sometimes the T piece has two top bars. Both are attached to the center piece and one is attached to the box and the other pivots and is attached to the fixture

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