Box Cutters

About Box Cutters

Box cutters, also known as electrical back box cutters or dry lining cutters, are specialised SDS Plus drill bits designed to cut clean, precise holes in walls for installing electrical back boxes. These professional tools feature a hollow, carbide-tipped design that creates perfectly sized recesses for single and double electrical sockets, switches, and flush-mounted fittings in plasterboard, drywall, and soft masonry materials. The SDS Plus fitting ensures compatibility with rotary hammer drills, combining rotational force with percussive action for fast, accurate cutting.

MyToolShed.co.uk stocks box cutters from Faithfull, a trusted manufacturer known for durable, reliable tools that meet the demands of professional tradespeople. Our range includes single square, double square, and round back box cutters in various configurations, plus convenient multi-piece sets covering the most common electrical fitting sizes used across UK construction and renovation projects.

Applications

Box cutters are essential tools for professionals and trades working with electrical installations:

• Electricians and Electrical Contractors: Daily socket, switch, and accessory installation in new builds and renovations
• Dry Liners and Plasterers: Preparing walls for electrical fittings during finishing work
• General Builders: First-fix electrical preparation and multi-trade projects
• Shopfitters and Commercial Installers: Retail and office fit-outs requiring multiple electrical points
• Property Developers: Modernisation projects with new electrical installations
• Maintenance Teams: Adding or relocating outlets in existing buildings
• DIY Enthusiasts: Home improvement projects requiring electrical work (with appropriate Part P compliance)

Choosing The Right Box Cutters

Box Size and Configuration: Ensure the cutter matches your back box dimensions. Single square boxes (typically 25mm or 35mm deep), double square boxes, and round pattress boxes each require specifically sized cutters. Measure your fittings before purchasing.

Wall Material: Whilst box cutters excel in plasterboard and dry lining, reinforced carbide-tipped models can handle harder substrates like blockwork or backing boards behind plasterboard.

Drill Compatibility: All box cutters at MyToolShed.co.uk feature SDS Plus fitments, requiring a compatible rotary hammer drill. Standard chuck drills are not suitable for these tools.

Build Quality: Professional-grade cutters from Faithfull feature robust construction with hardened cutting edges that maintain sharpness through repeated use, delivering consistent results.

Set Options: Multi-piece sets offer better value if you regularly work with various back box configurations, typically covering the most common requirements in one purchase.

Safety Information

Always wear safety goggles to protect against flying debris and dust particles. Use a cable and pipe detector before cutting into any wall to locate hidden electrical cables, water pipes, and gas lines—cutting through live cables can cause fatal electric shock. Ensure you have stable footing and check box cutters for damage before use, particularly the cutting teeth and SDS shank. When working on electrical installations, isolate circuits at the consumer unit and verify the supply is dead. All electrical work must comply with BS 7671 and Building Regulations Part P where applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use box cutters with a standard drill?

No, box cutters feature SDS Plus shanks and require SDS Plus rotary hammer drills. Standard chuck drills lack the necessary percussive action and power to operate these cutters effectively or safely.

How do I achieve a clean cut without damaging surrounding plasterboard?

Mark the box position accurately, start the drill slowly to establish the cutting circle, then increase to full speed. Apply steady, even pressure without forcing the tool, and keep the drill perpendicular to the wall surface throughout the cut.

What's the difference between single and double square box cutters?

Single square box cutters create openings for individual socket or switch back boxes (typically around 70mm square), whilst double square cutters produce larger openings for twin socket back boxes (approximately 140mm wide).