butterfly bolts strong enough?

[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