How do I put wiring through a stud from an electrical outlet to a new light fixture?

Question

I've drilled a hole in the wall where I am installing a new light fixture, and pulled out the wiring from the outlet below, but there is a stud between the wiring and the new hole. What's the easiest way to send the wire to the new location? I don't have access to the wall in front of the stud and don't want to tear up the wall.

Answer 1

Assuming you are coming from an outlet box and feeding up to a new fixture one stud space over, the first step is to see which one is closer to the stud in question. If the outlet box is mounted on the stud then the easiest is going to be to remove the box. It may not be easy if it is metal but it can be pried or cut loose. It can take a fair amount of beating but it will come loose. If it is plastic it can be removed fairly easily by prying. Don't worry if the box falls inside the wall when you remove it. MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF AND YOU DON'T DAMAGE THE WIRES. There are boxes called "old work" boxes that have two tabs that flip behind the drywall, attach firmly and allow you to re feed the wires into it as you install it.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect/remodel1/lighting/track2ft/oldworkbox.htm

You really need one for the new fixture also (3 tabs), they are round and designed for lights. The hole for it will give you working room and you shouldn't have the wire just hanging out of the wall anyway. Then drill your hole thru the stud and feed your wire up to the new location. If you drill the hole at an upward angle it will be much easier to feed the wire.

If the stud is close to where the new fixture is going then drill a hole at a downward angle with whatever length of bit you need to penetrate it. The cutout for the fixture box should give you enough working room. It would be nearly impossible to do this without removing the outlet box unless you think there is some way you can hit one of those tiny holes with the new wire. I do this for a living and I wouldn't try. Plus, with the box removed, you can stick your hand in and grab the new wire and feed it into the new box.

Reconnect everything the same as you took it apart and you should have a nice, safe, properly completed project.

Answer 2

RE:
How do I put wiring through a stud from an electrical outlet to a new light fixture?
I've drilled a hole in the wall where I am installing a new light fixture, and pulled out the wiring from the outlet below, but there is a stud between the wiring and the new hole. What's the easiest way to send the wire to the new location? I don't have access to the wall in front of...

Answer 3

If you can't for any reason drill through the stud, then your going to have to fish the wire from the top or the bottom. You may even have to pick a different location to put the fixture in.

Answer 4

Best way is to have an electrician do it for insurance reasons.

BUT...you can do it too. Drill a hole through the stud usinr a 3/4 paddle bit and run the wire through the hole. Continue this to the switch. Once there you will see on the back of the light switch which color goes to that side.

Any additional help and better picture you can see, are in the Home Depot DIY books.

Answer 5

There is a flexible drill bit that you can use to drill a hole from your starting opening through the stud. Go to the electrical dept. of your local home center ( Lowe's, Home Depot, etc...) They start at 12 inches and go up to a few feet. A little pricey, but cheaper than repairing a wall.

Answer 6

You can attempt to bore a new hole through the stud. Attach the old wire to the new wire with some string and pull through the hole, then connect to the new fixture from that point.

Answer 7

The only way possible is to get access to that stud by any means possible. Can you gain access through the other side? The project may be more labor intensive than first thought, as thet all are! Good Luck!

Answer 8

if the stud is close enough to your hole,try drilling through on an angle,then fish the wiring through... if not possible,take the wiring up the wall into the attic,then drill down on the other side of the stud to feed your wire down to where you want it... good luck.

Answer 9

take a 3/4 wood bit and drill at a 45 through the wall and stud from one side then repeat from the oppisite side. you should end up with a hole big enough to fish the wire through and only two small holes to patch in the drywall.

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Answer 10

You will have to put another hole in the wall to drill a hole to run the wire throught, dry wall are cosmetic fixes and are one of the easiest fixes to do.