butterfly bolts strong enough?

goaliedad · Aug 27, 2007

LOML bought a pot rack- I need to hang it over the island in the kitchen- of course the rafters don't line up. I assume the ceiling is 1/2 inch drywall ( new build ) cathedral ceiling Will four butterfly bolts be strong enough? rack is about 24 x 36- she has lots of pans to store. No kids in the house so that helps a little bit.

MrJimi · Aug 27, 2007

I have 2 words for you

NO WAY !! they will get overloaded before you start and please don't do it unless you go directely in to the trusses/rafters at a good solid joint

RonMar · Aug 27, 2007

MrJimi said:
I have 2 words for you

NO WAY !! they will get overloaded before you start and please don't do it unless you go directely in to the trusses/rafters at a good solid joint

What he said, unless you want to rip out parts of the ceiling and kill someone working in the kitchen...

Drywall is decorative. Loads need to be attached to members that can bear their weight. You can do this at least 2 ways. Move the location of the rack to align with the joices(probably not an option as it won't be over the island). Or make a good looking load bearing wood frame(wood to match the cabinets?) that attaches to the joices and from which you can suspend the rack. It will of course cover more of the ceiling and be more work, but better than cleaning up the mess(or worse) from a rack full of pans and utensils comming down in an uncontrolled manner...

jdbower · Aug 27, 2007

As another option you can probably find a way to use the crossbars they sell for post-finish work ceiling fan installations. They only require a small hole cut in the ceiling and provide a metal frame spanning the joists - this may be easier than a wooden beam.

Soundguy · Aug 28, 2007

We have an island in our kitchen and wanted a pot rack to hang over it.. the rafters did not line up.

I laid 2x4 across the rafters ( tacked them in) , then put an eye hook with big 3/8 threaded lag shank on it into the 2x4 thru the drywall.

Works great.. took only a few minutes in the ceiling crawling around to do this, and then a few minutes on a tall ladder in the house.

I then used chain and appropriate adapters to hang the pot rack.

Soundguy

goaliedad said:
LOML bought a pot rack- I need to hang it over the island in the kitchen- of course the rafters don't line up. I assume the ceiling is 1/2 inch drywall ( new build ) cathedral ceiling Will four butterfly bolts be strong enough? rack is about 24 x 36- she has lots of pans to store. No kids in the house so that helps a little bit.

goaliedad · Aug 28, 2007

Thanks for the ideas- the thought of going up in the attic to put blocking in isn't very nice- it is in a vaulted ceiling- not close to the access. I have to ponder that one- it would be the best solution if possible. I will look at the re-work electric boxes- most likely going to go with some sort of wood piece on the exposed part of the ceiling. Any more ideas???

MrJimi · Aug 28, 2007

One more idea for ya, locate your ceiling beams and put some screw eyes and hang you rack from chains to your liking and it will self center and be careful on getting them in center of wood

Soundguy · Aug 29, 2007

goaliedad said:
Thanks for the ideas- the thought of going up in the attic to put blocking in isn't very nice- it is in a vaulted ceiling- not close to the access. I have to ponder that one- it would be the best solution if possible. I will look at the re-work electric boxes- most likely going to go with some sort of wood piece on the exposed part of the ceiling. Any more ideas???

Mine wasn't terribly near the crawlspace access either. i just took it slow and had pre-punched the holes in the drywall where I wante dthe 2x4's to lay over so i only took 2 of them with me on my journey.. plus a bat powered screwgun and some screws.. etc.

Another option would be to find the 2 closest studs, put eye's in them, ( total of 4.. ) put a chain between them using screw together links. ( ie.. have 2 pair, each connected with a chain.. ) Then use those two chains as the mout supports. Use another set of screw together links to link your hanging chains to the support chains.. move them to whichever link in the support chain that lines it up over your kitchen like you want.

I'd use 3/8 lag-eye anchors.. etc.. and get them so they will penetrate at least 2" into the joist.. etc..

Soundguy

AlanB · Aug 30, 2007

I would go with the ceiling fan things mentioned, and they also have some medallions you could put over the box to dress it after installation.

There were several styles available, (of course I was looking at them after spending a couple hours in the attic putting in 2 X 4's for the ceiling fans)

goaliedad · Aug 30, 2007

UPDATE: LOML made it clear she did not want a cobble job- read that as no 4 inch holes with cute covers, no cleats spanning the closest rafters. I have cut an opening into the attic from the garage- it's going to be a tight fit, but I only have 13 feet to crawl. The rafters actually have some good, level cross members that I have a plank laid on. Saturday morning, while it is nice and cool I am going to crawl in, clear the blown insulation and screw in some nice 2 x 6 blocking.
Sorry, but there will be no horror stories about a fallen pot rack. Maybe a good one about a fallen homeowner....

I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the ideas. I guess I knew all along this is how it would end.