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Example,

yaw'd switches

I really just keep pulling them in and out, erratically bending the wires, until they are reasonably flat.

Particularly with modern flat rockers/plates (radiant etc) I notice they really don't look good unless very flat, zero yaw. (And indeed you gotta get the depth just right.)

Do pros have any tricks to make it easier ?

Another example, on this 3gang, notice the #3 is definitely still yaw'd a bit CCW on z. I just couldn't get it better than that.

(Note, the #1 is well proud, unfortunately the wall box was a bit damaged and the only fix for that would be some more serious effort ☹️ or a really long rough wood screw 😅 )

Also looking at it, the #2 its a tiny bit yaw'd CW on z, not perfect 😕

enter image description here

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3 Answers 3

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See the metal tabs/ears with the holes? You can bend those to tweak the relative angle of the switch to the box/wall. For example, if the right side of the switch is a little too sunken into the wall plate (as in your photo), bend the tabs on the right side back away from the wall plate so that the right side of the switch is a little bit prouder of the box.

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  • What great tip! I had no idea that is what they are for. One problem is, if the wires behind are really pushing it one way or the other, there's no way those tabs have enough power to overcome you know? Commented yesterday
  • Yeah, if there's so much wiring behind the switches, you may need to do some bulk adjustment there and use the tabs for fine tuning. Commented 17 hours ago
  • I've ticked this answer since it gives the great info about the ears. I really fear the only "trick" I was looking for was just being more careful about making "accordion bends" in the wires behind - I fear there's no greater trick than that :/ Commented 15 hours ago
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Don't play with the wires, I just push the switch or outlet in the box after the screws are just started. Push past the resistance in the grounded screw until the switch is flat. Then tighten the screws, but not so tight that the units cannot be moved left or right to level them.

If needed there are spacers that can be stacked to help move units out from the box. They even are designed to be added after the screws are started.

I then put the cover plate on and check for being level and plumb by eye. No need to use a tool. If they look right snug the screws and install the cover.

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  • intriguing, so you just start the screws .. and then push the unit inwards. interesting. I will try that ! TY Commented 2 days ago
  • FYI I added another example of a more subtle woe - sucks ! Commented 2 days ago
  • Triple and quad switches are a challenge. The best tool for those is patience. Commented yesterday
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After install, with the circuit breaker still off, carefully grab the whole device with a large enough tool such as a channel-lock wrench. Torque the device into position, thereby bending the ears.

Just be careful not to grab the exposed parts because the plastic could get scratches in the process.

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  • the problem is its hard to do this against the fairly heavy gauge wires behind you know? Commented yesterday
  • That shouldn't be a problem at all. Accordion bends in the wires should help to guide and organize things a bit. Photos of the inside of the box might be needed. Commented 16 hours ago
  • "accordion bends" may indeed be the only answer and "trick" you know? thanks for that Commented 15 hours ago

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