@#$% it, an electrical question

[Dusty MI]

All I'm lacking now is a 3" knockout plug for the top of the panel. Someone started installing this panel in another application and knocked a few holes out. Of course none of them where I needed them.

One of these dumb multi-size knockout holes. The hole that was knocked out was too small for the plugs I had, so instead of driving back to HD for a FOURTH time to get the right plug, I tried to knock out the next size larger. Of course the entire knockout came out, and HD only stocks plugs up to 2" in diameter.

This "on the cheap" wiring project is turning out to be anything but, LOL... Panel was $2 at an estate auction. Breakers were free from extras Dad kept in stock around the farm. 14 trips to Home Depot and an Amazon order later, it doesn't seem like such a great deal anymore.

Pop rivet a heavy gage sheet metal patch over the knout hole.
Dusty

 

[caterpillar guy]

I need to do something similar to my box where a tree limb fell on the wire and pulled the old pole and all down. Now the hole is gaping in the bottom of the box with a cobbled up fix so I could get power back. It needs a piece put in on about the whole bottom.I'm going to make a piece with the holes cut to a side so I can twist the piece by the hole and stick it down over the lines and one to the conduit coming up in the bottom. That should hold well with no varmint infiltration to the bottom of the box. Just need to get time for it.

 

[chuckthin]

Pop rivet a heavy gage sheet metal patch over the knout hole.
Dusty

I keep all my old aluminum license plates fore stuff like this. Works on holes too big around water pipes through floor also.
Drill holes through two pieces then cut out one side so you can slip over wire or pipe and rotate one piece to make a tight circle.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Pop rivet a heavy gage sheet metal patch over the knout hole.
Dusty

I did one better. Got a blank cover plate for a 4" square metal box at Lowe's. Shaved two corners off, two self tappers, and VIOLA! $1.49 fix worthy of Derek Bieri. The bottle of Mt. Dew cost more than the plate.

Why do the boxes have 3" holes when you can't buy 3" fittings?