Ceiling Joists

[whazza2]

What is the best way to find the ceiling joists when installing lights?

 

[Andy™]

tapping the ceiling can usually ge you to within a few cm

 

[a1spark]

Are you trying to avoid the joists,,,i.e when installing downlights from beneath a ceiling , or are you trying to fix a standard type of light from below ?

 

[Evans Electric]

If its an older house and you found one joist, they are usually 16" -18" centres . But not always !!! Sometimes ,to save lots of damage, drop the centre light, see if you can measure between the joists .

 

[paul b b]

tap or use a stud finder or hammer

if there are floor boards up stairs you should be able to measure them

 

[whazza2]

Are you trying to avoid the joists,,,i.e when installing downlights from beneath a ceiling , or are you trying to fix a standard type of light from below ?

Looking at installing some downlights and also fix a few pendants

 

[Andy™]

for downlights, before drilling with hole saw, drill small pilot hole, and use a bit of bent cable through the hole, and make sure there is nothing in the way

for pendants, if you miss a joist, use a riva

 

[m4tty]

[quote name='Andy

 

[Andy™]

 

[whazza2]

Plasterboard fixings are great

 

[Andy™]

Plasterboard fixings are great

mollys are a better fixing, but then you need to drill hole, fit, pull tight, remove bolt, then attach whatever is it. riva's are so much easier to use and only need a driver / cordless

 

[m4tty]

[quote name='Andy

 

[initforthemoney]

All pedants should now be capable of carrying up to 5kg so plasterboard fixings will not do.

You will need to fix a piece of timber between the joists.

 

[a1spark]

[quote name='Andy

 

[OldPeeBee]

All pedants should now be capable of carrying up to 5kg so plasterboard fixings will not do.

???

 

[a1spark]

Infor is correct OPB

559.6.1.5

 

[initforthemoney]

???

Sorry, should have said that all supports for pendants should be capable of up to 5Kg.

559.6.1.5

 

[OldPeeBee]

a1spark - just querying where 5kg requirement is from.

 

[a1spark]

OPB see edited post and infor post !

 

[ianmacd]

I've got few boxes of them just didn't know they were called that. Cheers mate

Never heard them called that before either. Andy, wheres that name come from?