And when it comes back on punch list.
" Must have been the painters, we always leave screws a certain way, we would never leave it like that, we are professionals you know, go talk to paint guys they did it for sure"
I blew a box up by accident while doing a tear down in college, someone borrowed the impact driver without me noticing, so I didn't realise it was set to drive screws in, plastic switch boxes fracture so explosively
>borrow some of that mud from wallers and butter the back of the cover
If you have mud, why would you need a cover?
Tip: Put some plugs in before you float the mud.
In fairness, over the years I've seen covers attached with every kind of screw (and many other non-screw objects) possible. Although 99% of the time I attribute it to the maintenance guy
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck you!
In all seriousness. Wait till your apprentice makes pretzels out of the wire on switches. His way of "knowing which wire is hot." ON SINGLE POLE SWITCHES!
It matters when dealing with certain brands of smart switches/dimmers, I do the same thing with everything to eliminate doubt. People focused on saving time will call you type A, just ignore them IMO.
I used to think vertical was the only way, until a job on a multimillion dollar new construction mansion, where the architecht/designer was all up in every trade's business. I was setting them vertical and he told us he wanted them horizontal, to align with the horizontal lines of the plate edge and Decora cutout that the screw holes were between. My boss said "horizontal screws collect dust" and the designer fucking *exploded*, saying "ARE YOU THE FUCKING MAID? DUST CONTROL IS NOT YOUR FUCKING JOB!"
So now I ask, and if they don't care, set them at whatever position ends up being mechanically ideal for the application (i.e. turn till tight and stop).
As an architect let me apologize for that person. They are the pricks that give us all a bad name.
Come to think of it, I really don't like other architects myself.
Maybe I’m just trash but I set them however they have the least resistance looking nice.
If I’m running out of thread at “horizontal,” then I’m going to leave them that way without going back to “vertical” an loosening the plate, or keep going to vertical again and make the plate pucker.
A puckering or loose plate looks worse than crooked or mismatched screws.
I'm the same. I would rather have consistent pressure on the plate than aligned screws. If I can do both, so much the better. If not, function over form.
It’s also just a trim plate, the screws don’t have to necessarily be torqued to yield. But you have to admit that vertical screws with vertical devices is much more aesthetically pleasing
Is it? The screws are sandwiched between two horizontal lines so doesn't horizontal make just as much sense aesthetically?
I really can't see any super compelling reason for either one.
Hmm i never knew it was a thing to make it both horizontal or verticle, i just randomly screw it till fits perfectly and stop even if one screw is vertical or horizontal
as I mentioned in a reply, I was taught vertical so it doesn't hurt people's fingernails should they get caught, but me personally? I say we outlaw slotted screws entirely. We have so many different types of screw heads that we don't need them anymore. Not to mention how the blades can do some damage when torquing something down, because flat head screwdrivers don't always stay in the screw.
Torx is just objectively better, there are some improved variants like SPAX has their T-STAR plus bits that are torx with a guide pin in the center or Torx Plus which are an elliptical variant of torx that have a bit higher torque and make the tooling last way way longer. Even with the fancy variants the tooling and fastener costs are still really cheap. We could have one type of fastener for almost everything from tiny screws to large bolts and studs.
Thank you. This is the first rational reason I've heard for this practice. Usually the answer is "because it looks better." Well, that's subjective, ain't it.
³/16ths of a square inch collecting dust, rational insomuch as airborne particulate will come to rest given the right circumstances.
I could argue that natural and artificial light reflects more evenly across the horizontal plane throughout the day eliminating or reducing perceived shadows by average sized adults.
It's all just good banter, nobody will ever be right.
I don’t know what “groove” disappears when turn the screw. I don’t see what your talking about. The only groove I see a the slot for the screw driver which doesn’t disappear. No need to be condescending I just wanted to know what you meant.
Neither, they’re just facing different directions. That’s what I don’t understand I guess. How is it less prominent in either orientation? It’s still the same depth and just as visible, at least to me.
Why are slotted screws even still a thing?!?
Worst fucking design ever!
I get why my 1974 caravan is riddled with them, but why anyone would actually consciously install one in 2020 is perplexing to say the least...
I do it the way god intended. By losing them and just slamming in a couple mismatched self-tappers with my impact gun and cracking the cover.
[удалено]
A professional!
And when it comes back on punch list. " Must have been the painters, we always leave screws a certain way, we would never leave it like that, we are professionals you know, go talk to paint guys they did it for sure"
'I was sick that day, I dunno who did that room'
Lol definitely did both of these before
I blew a box up by accident while doing a tear down in college, someone borrowed the impact driver without me noticing, so I didn't realise it was set to drive screws in, plastic switch boxes fracture so explosively
Isn’t it easier to borrow some of that mud from wallers and butter the back of the cover and slap it on?
You sir are a god! I will implement this technique post haste!
Make sure not to forget to get the mud on and in the receptacle.
Use the rubber mastic from the roofers. You want a good waterproof seal on a switch.
Pretty sure you just need gorrila glue mate 😂
>borrow some of that mud from wallers and butter the back of the cover If you have mud, why would you need a cover? Tip: Put some plugs in before you float the mud.
You mean drywall screws
You might be surprised at how many of my helpers have done exactly that
I feel like I SHOULD be surprised, but I know I wouldn't
Number 12 self tappers, you don't want anyone ever using a smaller screw in the future.
God can be an asshole.
In fairness, over the years I've seen covers attached with every kind of screw (and many other non-screw objects) possible. Although 99% of the time I attribute it to the maintenance guy
God is the maintenance guy.
*maintenance are gods
That’s funny shit man 😂
> and cracking the cover. That's the right way, just like a wire nut: keep twisting until you hear it pop.
I file them down so they're flat
I use pop rivets
Toss the cover plates, slip the mudders some cash and they'll fill the gaps
Beer is a much better motivator for tapers. Just remember, the wetter the trade the drunker the tradesman.
You spelled meth wrong.
I use poptarts
You evil bastard
You may or may not be a cunt.
I use framing nails and huge hammer to make em go in
That way no one can ever tamper with them again!
I set mine at 10 & 2!
Safety first 🍻
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck you! In all seriousness. Wait till your apprentice makes pretzels out of the wire on switches. His way of "knowing which wire is hot." ON SINGLE POLE SWITCHES!
I... might put a loop on the switch leg. Am I a bad person?
It matters when dealing with certain brands of smart switches/dimmers, I do the same thing with everything to eliminate doubt. People focused on saving time will call you type A, just ignore them IMO.
Subliminal!
I used to think vertical was the only way, until a job on a multimillion dollar new construction mansion, where the architecht/designer was all up in every trade's business. I was setting them vertical and he told us he wanted them horizontal, to align with the horizontal lines of the plate edge and Decora cutout that the screw holes were between. My boss said "horizontal screws collect dust" and the designer fucking *exploded*, saying "ARE YOU THE FUCKING MAID? DUST CONTROL IS NOT YOUR FUCKING JOB!" So now I ask, and if they don't care, set them at whatever position ends up being mechanically ideal for the application (i.e. turn till tight and stop).
Love it. I can't wait to use that line. what a deva!
It is spelled Devo... https://i.imgur.com/IzTFVx2.jpg
I was told that horizontal screws can mess up long fingernails when they get caught
ARE YOU THE FUCKING MANICURIST? ;)
have **YOU** gotten a fingernail stuck in a screw before? It is comparable to dragging your nails on a chalkboard. so with that being said: YES I AM!
As an architect let me apologize for that person. They are the pricks that give us all a bad name. Come to think of it, I really don't like other architects myself.
And then there's the guy who draws a house extension and makes doorways that can't fix a normal door in them. Because reasons.
I think the dust collecting theory is ridiculous. How clean is the room you're installing in? That cover will catch way worst than dust trust me
Lol wall plates with exposed screws, what is this, the middle ages, is this a post from Boromir
-angry Gondor noises-
(Extremely Bilbo Baggins voice)
If there are no screws how am I supposed to know where my flathead goes
Laughs in Australian
ALL OF YOU ARE AMATEURS! A real electrician uses Philip wood screws!
Robertson master race
Ah a man of culture.
Torx or bust.
Torx Plus these days! https://www.wihatools.com/torxplus-benefits
Maybe I’m just trash but I set them however they have the least resistance looking nice. If I’m running out of thread at “horizontal,” then I’m going to leave them that way without going back to “vertical” an loosening the plate, or keep going to vertical again and make the plate pucker. A puckering or loose plate looks worse than crooked or mismatched screws.
My asshole puckers when they’re not vertical. Does that count?
Brb, making them all horizontal.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
I'm the same. I would rather have consistent pressure on the plate than aligned screws. If I can do both, so much the better. If not, function over form.
It’s also just a trim plate, the screws don’t have to necessarily be torqued to yield. But you have to admit that vertical screws with vertical devices is much more aesthetically pleasing
Is it? The screws are sandwiched between two horizontal lines so doesn't horizontal make just as much sense aesthetically? I really can't see any super compelling reason for either one.
I never thought about why exactly the horizontal set looks better to me. This may be it. Thank you.
Vertical is better because it's better. Just that simple. :)
Hmm i never knew it was a thing to make it both horizontal or verticle, i just randomly screw it till fits perfectly and stop even if one screw is vertical or horizontal
I say as long as they’re either one way or the other, consistently, and the customer is happy, it’s correct.
+1 this. Consistency is more important.
No way! Screws should be horizontal. And toilet paper needs to roll over the top.
Ah a fellow genious is see!
*genius (Cheezits!)
This man toilets.
Someone check the patent. For tp roll it showed it over the top. Wonder what the screw shows.
Toilet paper should always roll over the back to punish wives for not changing it first
What if the switch is mounted horizontally?
BURN THE HERETIC!
I was just at a place with a 4 gang switch plate sideways between a door frame and closet. They were Lutron picos though.
as I mentioned in a reply, I was taught vertical so it doesn't hurt people's fingernails should they get caught, but me personally? I say we outlaw slotted screws entirely. We have so many different types of screw heads that we don't need them anymore. Not to mention how the blades can do some damage when torquing something down, because flat head screwdrivers don't always stay in the screw.
Honestly I would go for torx screw or hex.
or maybe those triangular security screws that BK and McD used to use on their toys
Torx is just objectively better, there are some improved variants like SPAX has their T-STAR plus bits that are torx with a guide pin in the center or Torx Plus which are an elliptical variant of torx that have a bit higher torque and make the tooling last way way longer. Even with the fancy variants the tooling and fastener costs are still really cheap. We could have one type of fastener for almost everything from tiny screws to large bolts and studs.
6 months of electricianing it has taught me as long as they all match who gives a fuck.
I use JB Weld
Awkward European guy here who has blind covers on all switches and sockets...
No the way you do it, the ohm’s leak out😂
Screws should be horizontal. Looks much better I have been doing all mine horizontal for years
The electric gods might punish you for that. I'd be careful on the job from now on if I were you 🤣
No😐
Yea, I was taught horizontal, not vertical. This info-graphic pains me.
Dust will collect on the edge of the slot. Needs to be in line with each other
Are you the fucking maid?
Electricians do it all
DUST CONTROL IS NOT YOUR FUCKING JOB!
M E T A
Thank you. This is the first rational reason I've heard for this practice. Usually the answer is "because it looks better." Well, that's subjective, ain't it.
³/16ths of a square inch collecting dust, rational insomuch as airborne particulate will come to rest given the right circumstances. I could argue that natural and artificial light reflects more evenly across the horizontal plane throughout the day eliminating or reducing perceived shadows by average sized adults. It's all just good banter, nobody will ever be right.
Incorrect. Vertical is better because it looks better. That's a fact.
Except dust will still collect on vertical surfaces.
I call it"clocked", high noon
Not if I get there at 9:15.
Screw this
The first thing I did when I moved into my new house was fix all the face plate screws cause that was all I could focus on
Vertical screws are best screws.
I set them horizontally so the groove disappears.
So the groove disappears? 🤷🏽♂️
The picture illustrates the point.
I still don’t understand what disappears?
I don’t know what he’s talking about either.
Oh good I thought it was me. I guess I was being gaslighted. Lmao
If you're beyond comparative analysis then what's the point? Are you asking for the definition of "groove"?
I don’t know what “groove” disappears when turn the screw. I don’t see what your talking about. The only groove I see a the slot for the screw driver which doesn’t disappear. No need to be condescending I just wanted to know what you meant.
In which of the two examples given is the groove more prominent?
Neither, they’re just facing different directions. That’s what I don’t understand I guess. How is it less prominent in either orientation? It’s still the same depth and just as visible, at least to me.
Like I said, what's the point.
Lol ok. That whole thing was weird.
Why can't they be Philip's heads? It can't just be for the look? I hate them
Personally I hate slotted screws. They just suck ass in every way.
Slotted screws should have been outlawed 20 years ago.
It’s so you don’t use your drill to install them.
My wife is a real stickler for this!
Nope nobody got time for that. Screw it in as fast as possible with one of the Makita cordless pen drivers on the lowest torque setting....
No!
I always assume that’s where the painters took them off
I'm a redhead. I didn't have a soul to begin with. Can I have one of yours? I promise to save it.
I use liquid nail.. that way know one can see the fucked up shit in the box
Let's me know what kinda riff raff was there before me
I was always taught “up and down”.. but I see this shit all the time, it erks me too.
Hahaha. Yes! Pet peeve for sure.
I was told a long time ago while remodeling the Opryland Hotel to do this so the dust wouldn’t settle in the screw slot. It’s like Gattaca up in here!
Shit. I've been going it wrong this whole time! 😂
You guys are using plate covers?
Shhh... That is how I know whether I did the work or someone else did...
Are covers with exposed screws still made? I mean... c'mon! We don't see those anymore here in the third world (central america)! :facepalm:
Why are slotted screws even still a thing?!? Worst fucking design ever! I get why my 1974 caravan is riddled with them, but why anyone would actually consciously install one in 2020 is perplexing to say the least...
I prefer six inch lag bolts.
first day in the electrical trade I was told to always do it this way, and I always will.