Is there an electrician in the house?

[Hawkmoon]

Is there such a critter as a 3-gang, surface-mount, steel handy (utility) box? I can find single and 2-gang, but I need three spaces. Do I have to add a single to a double with a close nipple?

Single:



Double:

[Bob F.]

Waddauwant, 3 110v outlets? Why not just do 4? IIRC you can do 110v duplex & 220V single in quad gang box w/ appropriate cover, or dup0l3ex 110v 7 a switch. But it's been a while.....

[charby]

expensive

http://www.elliottelectric.com/Products/Detail.aspx?v=CRS&c=TP630

[K Frame]

That's one hell of a shallow box...

[Hawkmoon]

Waddauwant, 3 110v outlets? Why not just do 4? IIRC you can do 110v duplex & 220V single in quad gang box w/ appropriate cover, or dup0l3ex 110v 7 a switch. But it's been a while.....

No, I want four outlets (which I already have, in a 2-gang box) and I want to add a switch next to them.

And I want steel, not plastic, because the house is over 60 years old and wired with BX throughout. I'm funny about not wanting to mix Romex into a BX system.

[Hawkmoon]

expensive

http://www.elliottelectric.com/Products/Detail.aspx?v=CRS&c=TP630

Close.

No tabs for the outlets and switches. That's a conduit junction box, not a handy box.

But it's closer than anything I could find. Thanks.

[zxcvbob]

You want gangable metal boxes.  You take the sides off put together as many sections as you want.   Look for single-gang boxes with a screw in the top to take the side off.  I like to use "new-work" style boxes plus those 'F'-shaped metal clips for adding on to old work.  I have that exact setup in my bathroom for 2 duplex outlets and a switch.

Here's what they look like.  Make sure you buy don't buy shallow boxes; you want lots of cubic inches for all those wires:
http://www.galco.com/buy/Crouse-Hinds/TP130?gclid=CLyIxtOx6bMCFYQ7MgodSlsA6Q

[zxcvbob]

Wait; you want to surface mount it?  I think you're going to want a double handy box and a single connected with a short nipple.  Probably not a close nipple cuz you will want separate switchplates (I don't think you'll ever get a singe plate to fit two side-by-side boxes.)

ETA: here's one:  http://www.platt.com/platt-electric-supply/Masonry-Boxes-Accessories-Non-Gangable/Appleton/M3-350/product.aspx?zpid=255953

[Hawkmoon]

Wait; you want to surface mount it?  I think you're going to want a double handy box and a single connected with a short nipple.  Probably not a close nipple cuz you will want separate switchplates (I don't think you'll ever get a singe plate to fit two side-by-side boxes.)

Yes, it's for surface mount on a plywood backer board. I know about the boxes with removeable side plates, just used three of those for wiring in the basement for some friends who were doing a basement alteration. But for my job I need surface-mount handy boxes.

Okay, looks like I gang two boxes together. At that point, I think I'll just add another double box and have a spare switch for some future project.

[zxcvbob]

that  Appleton M3-350 box will give you three devices in a surface-mount box with plenty of knockouts.  It doesn't look like it has rounded corners...

[Triphammer]

This -

http://www.garvinindustries.com/Electrical-Junction-Boxes/Masonry-Boxes/Custom-Boxes-Covers-Device-Partitions/MBC3D

with this-

http://www.garvinindustries.com/Electrical-Junction-Boxes/Multi-Gang-Boxes/2-1-2-Deep-with-Conduit-Knockouts

The cover plate (to which the devices are mounted) is not exactly what you're looking for but what you want is out there. I've seenit, I've installed it.  This cover would work if you use a duplex switch but the sideways switches make some folks nuts.

[never_retreat]

The box you need is called a mud box. They are usually set into concrete walls and applications like that.
It would surface mount just fine. The come in sizes from 1-12 gang I thing. You will have to skip Home depot and go to a supply house to get on though.