butterfly bolts strong enough?

[goaliedad]

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]

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

 

[jdbower]

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]

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

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[TedLaRue]

Installing blocking between the rafters (actually I think you mean "ceiling joists") is a good solution.

I'm not sure what your pot rack looks like, but if you're going up into the attic, you might be able to lay a 2x6 across the top of the joists and use a piece of all-thread (long rod that's threaded end to end, available at any hardware store (Home Depot, Lowe's, TSC, etc.)) to go up through the drywall, through the blown-in insulation, through your 2x6, and through a washer and nut. That would be easier to install and even stronger than your blocking which relies on the shear strength of screws. However, I do think that your blocking would be strong enough for a pot rack.

 

[Soundguy]

Good deal.. that wood is the way to go.

Do yourself a favor and poke a pinhole with a nail in the drywall where yuo want the 2 lag eyes to go in.. that way you can locate your wood members correctly.

Soundguy

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.

 

[goaliedad]

Soundguy- I'm already there- I used a plumb-bob to mark the corners- referenced off the island. I put finish nails in to mark it. I pushed a piece of coat hanger in so I can see where I'm going to be working.

I thought about laying a board across the rafter- but they are engineered and buried under the insulation- gotta dig anyway.

 

[goaliedad]

The blocks are in- I'm out of the very tight attic- and most importantly, the ceiling is intact! Now all I have to do is put the lag-hooks in and hang the ^&*^()%$ pot rack!
Momma's happy, so everyone can now be happy!!!!

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. any time you can come outta there with no holes in the drywall shaped like feet,.. it's a good day!

Soundguy