[macfantn]

Okay so I took the old bath bar fixture down, it was a 4 strip light with mounting holes on the left and right side. Behind the center was a hole maybe 3-4 inches in diameter. Behind the hole is no junction box, just a big pipe. which is blocking any room for a junction box.

My new light has a center mount that came with it, but the mount is the same size as the hole so I have nothing to mount it to. Any suggestions? I really like this light.

[macfantn]

any ideas? would like some light lol.

[vmarks]

so, the pipe has the wires coming out of it like conduit?

If so, it's possible to put a junction box on the conduit and mount it to the drywall or to a stud...

[Rev-O]

Originally Posted by macfantn 

any ideas? would like some light lol.

If I understand your dilemma...
Strip a chunk of drywall from stud to stud behind the light large enough to encompass the hole and ideally small enough to be concealed by the light. Fill this gap with a piece of wood planed down to the same thickness of the drywall that was removed, or slightly thinner than the drywall removed. Finish the wood with spackle and match the texture finish (knockdown, orange peel, whatever). Paint to match wall. Now you have a nice solid piece of wood blended perfectly into the wall, covering the existing hole, that you can mount your new light to.
I've done this before with shelving, light fixtures, cabinets, etc, and it works very well. Trickiest part is the finishing of the wood to blend into the wall. Usually you have to finish some of the wood, because nothing ever seems to line up perfectly stud to stud.
Other option is to creat new mounting points on the fixture or fabricate a crossbrace that can be slipped into the hole and be threaded into, much like a really oversized toggle bolt setup. I'd go for the wood approach myself.

[macfantn]

i think i may return the light and try to find one that mounts on the left and right side and not the center.

[moonmonkey]

Have you tried fixing permissions?

[RAILhead]

Are you sure a box won't fit? You can get the kind that will lock to the back of the sheet rock (a post construction box) so you won't have to worry about attaching anything to a stud.

Show us some pics!

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey 

Have you tried fixing permissions?

You're BAD!!!

Originally Posted by RAILhead

Are you sure a box won't fit? You can get the kind that will lock to the back of the sheet rock (a post construction box) so you won't have to worry about attaching anything to a stud.

Show us some pics!

There are also very thin boxes-as thin as 3/4"-that are intended for "old work" installation. I agree that "this thread is useless without pictures."

[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

You're BAD!!!

There are also very thin boxes-as thin as 3/4"-that are intended for "old work" installation. I agree that "this thread is useless without pictures."

Shallow boxes may violate local city codes, though, so you'd have to either check first, or be prepared to take it out if/when you leave the place.

[macfantn]

I did purchase a box that locks to the back of the drywall, but the box is about 3-4 inches deep and about 2 inches in is a huge pipe. where can i find a shallow box?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey 

Have you tried fixing permissions?

I lawled

-t

[vmarks]

They make shallower boxes.

Also, you could cut out the back of the box to make clearance for the pipe. Or move the box to one side of the pipe and mount it there. I vote for not cutting out the back of the box, that's as bad a violation as using a backless old work box - which I really only use for low voltage stuff (CATV, CAT5, etc.)

Is this a vent pipe coming up from down below? What is this pipe, anyway?

[sek929]

Do what rev-o said, just stay away from that pipe if you don't know what it is.

[macfantn]

not sure what the pipe is, probably a water pipe. Can't move the box then the light would be off center to the mirror.

[Rev-O]

Originally Posted by macfantn 

not sure what the pipe is, probably a water pipe. Can't move the box then the light would be off center to the mirror.

Whatever the pipe is made of, along with the size of the pipe and it's location in the house will tell you what it is. If it is big (over 1" diameter) it is goung to be either a drain or a vent (or both depending on house age and codes). If it is above a drain source (like a sink, tub, toilet) it is most likely a vent.
Put me down for "Thread needs pics"

[macfantn]

i solved the problem took the light back bought one that mounts on the sides, not as modern looking as the new one, but still nicer than the cheap bath bar the builder used.