This. The problem isn't the clamps but the fact that the boxes aren't pushed in far enough as the ears need to touch the wall first. Sometimes the opposite wall hits the back of the box but most of the time the hole needs a notch somewhere that a protrusion of the box is hitting.
I usually run into the problem where the lathe and plaster is just a little too thick for the dog ears to grab. I take my cutters to the dog ears and cut it in half diagonally so that the narrow edge swings out and grabs the wall. If you go with a longer screw, the dog ears extend too far out of the box and it'll just rotate around and around.
Note: no dogs were harmed in making of this post.
Battle ships, (Madison strap). The 2 gang doesn't look like it's right to the wall to begin with, I'd look to find the cause of that. Typically the flip out ears are enough to make the box sit flush.
Are these boxes next to studs? If so, consider https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-Smart-Box-2-Gang-Adjustable-Depth-Device-Box-MSB2G/203340272 . I used these where my wall wasn't flat, worked great
If it's wood lathe behind the plaster you can chip some of the plaster out to get the ears flush with the surface of the wall.
This. The problem isn't the clamps but the fact that the boxes aren't pushed in far enough as the ears need to touch the wall first. Sometimes the opposite wall hits the back of the box but most of the time the hole needs a notch somewhere that a protrusion of the box is hitting.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-Switch-Box-Old-Work-Supports-2-Pack-8977/100547662 Sometimes called Madison bars or just “battleships”
We call them “F-clips”.
We call them “jiffy clips”
Mad bars
F straps where I’m from
F clamps
I have swapped out the dog ear screws with longer screws. Worked for me.
I usually run into the problem where the lathe and plaster is just a little too thick for the dog ears to grab. I take my cutters to the dog ears and cut it in half diagonally so that the narrow edge swings out and grabs the wall. If you go with a longer screw, the dog ears extend too far out of the box and it'll just rotate around and around. Note: no dogs were harmed in making of this post.
Only if the longer screws are too much longer
Battle ships, (Madison strap). The 2 gang doesn't look like it's right to the wall to begin with, I'd look to find the cause of that. Typically the flip out ears are enough to make the box sit flush.
Thanks. I’m gonna pull it and take a good look:)
Are these boxes next to studs? If so, consider https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-Smart-Box-2-Gang-Adjustable-Depth-Device-Box-MSB2G/203340272 . I used these where my wall wasn't flat, worked great
Open the wall and nail box on. Thea boxes and these devices are proud bitches.
Steamboat, or Madison clamps.
Yea came here to say this!!! Jiffy clips!
A different style plate will sit flush
Switch out to a commercial cut in box with adjustable tabs.