Ceiling screw hooks into drywall only.

[MrBalll]

Did not have much luck online with my product and searching.

I bought a few boxes of these screw hooks.

I have several of the Home Depot LED's and they only weigh 3.7 lbs a piece.
Would I be good using two screw hooks and not putting them into joists and it holding them? They would be screwed straight into the drywall. I know it would be ideal to put them into joists, but spacing doesn't really allow that.

Am I good with two hooks just in drywall for 4lbs or will I need to get something else?

 

[Shiftless]

Use something else!

You could screw one of these into a toggle bolt hollow drywall fastener, you know...the one with the two spring loaded wings. You could add a small metal washer to hide the oversized hole those require. You might need a spacer too. Remember...this is GJ where the most expensive, most complicated and most elaborate solution is usually the most popular.

Disclosure: I have never used this approach myself. It is just an idea that popped into my head. You might have to run more threads on the screw eye. Might be simpler to just use a toggle fastener that has the screw in there already and fasten some king of little hook to the screw head. I just wouldn't trust running screws directly into drywall.
Another product is oversized plastic screw anchors that you drive into drywall with a big Philips screwdriver. Then you could screw a small screw eye or screw hook into that. Not as strong as a toggle bolt but your garage, your choice.

Personally, I have my lightweight LED shoplights on brackets screwed directly into 2x10 ceiling joists.

 

[MrBalll]

Alright then.
Thanks for the help. I'll go exchange them for something else.
Was hoping the lights would be light enough, but better not to risk it since so many will be linked together.


EDIT: Really not sure how to hang these things aside from a very thin screw or nail. It's just a chain that's maybe an 1/4" size. It's very small. Guess I'll just have to look around, unless anyone here has a suggestion on how to do it.
I also don't have access to about 1/2 the ceiling as it covered with insulation and OSB for walking around up top.

 

[Shiftless]

Alright then.
Thanks for the help. I'll go exchange them for something else.
Was hoping the lights would be light enough, but better not to risk it since so many will be linked together.

Good call! If one of the lights would fall, it might take the rest of them with it. All the lights falling on your car or cars would be bad!

 

[Shiftless]

Alright then.
Thanks for the help. I'll go exchange them for something else.
Was hoping the lights would be light enough, but better not to risk it since so many will be linked together.


EDIT: Really not sure how to hang these things aside from a very thin screw or nail. It's just a chain that's maybe an 1/4" size. It's very small. Guess I'll just have to look around, unless anyone here has a suggestion on how to do it.
I also don't have access to about 1/2 the ceiling as it covered with insulation and OSB for walking around up top.

Consider dropping lengths of unistrut on threaded rods poked through the insulation and fastened to the OSB with washers and nuts on the top surface of the OSB. You could just lay the lights on top of the short lengths of unistrut.
Or just use one piece of threaded rod through the insulation and hook your chain onto the bottom of that.

 

[MrBalll]

Yeah. Just from looking around it's looking like the unistrut may be my best, and possibly only, option.
Can't find much in the way of hanging something from the ceiling. Was hoping to use those Command Wire Hooks, but my ceiling isn't flat so that went out the window.

 

[kingchevy]

If you got the same light I did from HD, they call for 42" spacing on the chains. I put backing where my lights go but I ganged them together and put the ceiling hooks every 4' that just angles the chain a bit. I think it actually makes them more stable. I put 36 of them in a 50x30 and it is blinding.

 

[MrBalll]

If you got the same light I did from HD, they call for 42" spacing on the chains. I put backing where my lights go but I ganged them together and put the ceiling hooks every 4' that just angles the chain a bit. I think it actually makes them more stable. I put 36 of them in a 50x30 and it is blinding.

These lights I'm guessing.
And what do you mean by backing?

 

[thickhead]

Swag hooks should work for you.

 

[Showkey]

You are using some sort of molly or insert ...............right......


https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronhazelton.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2Fgeneral%2FThreaded_Drywall_Anchor.png&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronhazelton.com%2Fprojects%2Fhow_to_hang_heavy_objects_on_walls&docid=SeEGRbI3MobOFM&tbnid=AdcigT6vAeAdGM%3A&w=133&h=176&bih=649&biw=1024&ved=0ahUKEwib-u-G3YHNAhVB4IMKHadNA6oQMwgdKAEwAQ&iact=mrc&uact=8

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/inffastener/infanchor/infanchor.html

 

[lilredex]

Why not run a 1 X 3 on top of the drywall. It can be hooked on to the joists, then your hooks can be placed anywhere.

 

[Nick Danger]

According to this guy, toggle bolts are the only drywall anchor you can use in the ceiling. It makes sense, because it spreads the load the widest.

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/inffastener/infanchor/infanchor.html

 

[NUTTSGT]

If the OSB in the attic is screwed down, you can always remove it temporarily along with the insulation and add some blocking between the bottom chords of the trusses. That would give you a place to screw into for the hooks you already have.

Sometimes to get what you want, you have to get dirty. It'll **** doing it but after you're done, showered and drinking a cold one, you'll appreciate having it done.

 

[wkearney99]

Why not run a 1 X 3 on top of the drywall. It can be hooked on to the joists, then your hooks can be placed anywhere.

This.

Same thing with wall mounting something. Sometimes a stretch of wood properly anchored into structure makes for a better way to mount things that don't line up to the structure.

If they're hanging lights don't forget about the complications of hitting them with a broom or something. Don't want a simple mistake whacking them with a handle to do anything more that bump them. Don't need to have that turn into ripping out a chunk of drywall too...

 

[manwithtools]

I know there will be plenty of disagreement with this and even the manufacturer warns against ceiling use, but I would be willing to use something like this:



http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/55/5595d864-60ae-42af-9913-478bf3af13f5_400.jpg

Given the fact that each of these will be supporting less than 2 lbs each, I suspect they would work just fine. If you are willing to experiment, install one of these anchors with one of your screw hooks in place of the provided screw in an area close to a wall where there is nothing below it that can be damaged. Now hang a 5 lb weight of some type and see if it will hold for a week. I bet it does just fine and I bet it will work for your lights.

Disclaimer: Even though I would be willing to do this, it's up to you to decide if it's suitable in you your situation. If you can gain access to the back of the drywall to install a wooden backer board - that is a far better solution.

Let the flames begin.....

 

[bczygan]

As usual, many of the suggestions are way way overdone.

These will support 50 pounds.

http://www.antiquelampsupply.com/product/4666_chrome-2-hook-swag-lamp-kit

 

[theoldwizard1]

according to this guy, toggle bolts are the only drywall anchor you can use in the ceiling. It makes sense, because it spreads the load the widest.

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/inffastener/infanchor/infanchor.html

i concur !

Bill is right on the money ! The decorative hook covers the slightly larger hole required for a toggle !

I have had a small, swagged chandelier, probably less than 30 pounds, hanging from one for over 30 years !

 

[naturalgas]

Run some strapping , it's cheap, light and easy to put up. Then use the same drywall screws with fender washers to hold the lights up. They will be good and solid. I ran another piece of strapping aside of what was there on my ceiling four rows. Then I put up blue board and plaster. I then had a solid base the width of the light fixtures to secure them to.

 

[manwithtools]

Swag hooks will work for sure, but they are $ for OP's needs, especially if he has many lights.

Not to mention the swag hooks look, eh, "feminine" for a shop or garage.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Do the safest sheetrock thing. Toggle bolts. Even they're not infallilble. Recently I've had some light fixtures fall off the ceiling in some of the schools and even hit a kid. The idiot contractor didn't even know how to properly install toggle bolts. I'm making them check every fixture. They are whining about the loss of money. Tough ****. If they did the job right the first time...

Tommy

 

[HCNDM]

Wouldn't do this in my house but in the garage...

Run a 1/4 inch board across the ceiling. Board fixed to the studs and lights to the board.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[joe_padavano]

As usual, many of the suggestions are way way overdone.

These will support 50 pounds.

http://www.antiquelampsupply.com/product/4666_chrome-2-hook-swag-lamp-kit

Where do you get 50 lbs? Here's the text from the ad you linked:

Die Cast Swag Hook Kit, contains 2 hooks with toggle bolt hardware for sheetrock and studs for wood mounting, 10 pounds max, chrome plated finish

Also note that the photo shows both lag bolts and wood screw studs. The limited info in the ad doesn't specify if the 10 lbs applies to both anchors or just the wood screws that go into the actual joists above the ceiling. Frankly, while the HOOK and hardware may carry 10 lbs just fine, you don't know what the sheet rock will carry, especially if it gets at all damp in a humid garage.

 

[Lotek]

Why not run a 1 X 3 on top of the drywall. It can be hooked on to the joists, then your hooks can be placed anywhere.

+1 on this one, you could even lay out a grid so that if you wanted to hang more stuff later, you would be good to go.

 

[bczygan]

Where do you get 50 lbs? Here's the text from the ad you linked:



Also note that the photo shows both lag bolts and wood screw studs. The limited info in the ad doesn't specify if the 10 lbs applies to both anchors or just the wood screws that go into the actual joists above the ceiling. Frankly, while the HOOK and hardware may carry 10 lbs just fine, you don't know what the sheet rock will carry, especially if it gets at all damp in a humid garage.

A similar product said 50#.
Here's one that says 30#/hook.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-1-1-2-in-Rust-Swag-Hooks-2-Pack-7045700/206601234?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-BASE-PLA-D27L-InteriorLighting|&gclid=CjwKEAjwya-6BRDR3p6FuY2-u3MSJAD1paxTh9kI6xbzrhVpB1k0CJ2HVmp_eyxqHYFyRKPeaNfGyxoCjTHw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

And frankly, with the weight of his LED lights, this is still more than adequate. DW doesn't just crumble and fall unless soaked through and through. At that point, the lights will be ruined anyway, and probably come down with the drywall.

I hang heavy Stiffel cast metal hanging lamps with these hook type hangers.

Bill

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, I much prefer Molly bolts over toggle bolts, because when you remove the screw from an installed toggle bolt you can no longer insert it back into the "spring wings".

If you were to attach brackets or hangers to the ceiling, and then hook the chains to them, you would be able to remove and replace the fixtures if you wanted to repair or change them.

 

[Justind97]

why not run a piece of all thread, or uni-strut through the drywall where it needs to be. Then cut a piece of plywood to fit across the joists up top to spread the load and put the rod through the plywood and attach?
The piece doesn't have to be terribly large if you're talking such a light weight...

But wait, how is the drywall attached? Did they attach right to the joists or 1x4s?

 

[manwithtools]

Guy's - we are talking less than 2 pounds per hook - I repeat - less than two pounds. Let's seriously think about what two pounds is.

If the drywall wont hold that much weight, the drywall will have already fallen off the ceiling.

Holy over - analyzation batman.

 

[bczygan]

You're gonna need a bunch of these:

 

[MrBalll]

You're gonna need a bunch of these:

Just put in an order for 10 of them.



I will need two hooks per light at 16 lights.

Going to try and just use the screw hooks I bought and screw them right into the joists through the drywall. Won't line up with the 40" required since the joists run the opposite direction of my lights, but the chains are almost a foot long so it should work out fine. If not then I will use the molly bolts.

Thanks for all the help from you guys though. This place is a gold mine of information.

 

[bczygan]

Just put in an order for 10 of them.



I will need two hooks per light at 16 lights.

Going to try and just use the screw hooks I bought and screw them right into the joists through the drywall. Won't line up with the 40" required since the joists run the opposite direction of my lights, but the chains are almost a foot long so it should work out fine. If not then I will use the molly bolts.

Thanks for all the help from you guys though. This place is a gold mine of information.

Yeah, We're a hole in the ground full of something...

Bill

 

[simpler=better]

Yeah, We're a hole in the ground full of something...

Bill

x2

 

[Beemer533]

Good grief... Overkill!

If you can't hit joists with all your eyebolts, just get something like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-in-Zinc-Plated-Corner-Brace-20-Pack-18589/202034303

and this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/E-Z-Anco...l-Anchors-with-Screws-10-Pack-25220/100153998
(I love these anchors BTW, they work very well).

And voila! Simple anchor in the sheet rock that will be just fine to hold up a light...