Hanging Drop Light & Extension Cord Reel

[89MustangGX]

I am ready to hang a couple of cord reels from the ceiling in my garage, one is a drop light, one is an extension cord. They are both Craftsman brand. I would like to hang them with screw-eyes.

The location of the nearest joist is about 6 inches away from where I would like to ideally hang them. That leaves me with a couple options that I can think of:

1) Screw-eye in the joist in a less than idea location, OR
2) Screw eye with toggle on the end in my ideal location.

I would figure they weigh between 5-10 pounds. They will obviously have some strain on them when pulling cords in and out, that is why I am a little concerned over the toggle idea. The drywall ceiling is double 5/8" and I was thinking of using a screw-eye with machine threads, putting a toggle on the end, then on the underneath side having a nut and washer -- basically sandwiching the 2x5/8" drywall between the toggle and washer/nut setup.

My question is, will this be strong enough to hold a reel when it is being pulled on? Or, should I scrap this idea and just go to the joist? OR, other ideas?

Adam

 

[KCarGuy]

Can you get access above ceiling? If you can, run a 2X from Joist to Joist after drilling through ceiling where you want it to "Land". You'll know where to put your 2X, so the Eye Bolt will screw into the 2X.

If Not, A friend cut out a 1 1/2" wide section in his drywall ceiling from Joist to Joist...stuck a 2X in the slot, (standing up), screwed it to the joists and then screwed a 1X6 with routered edges over everything to dress it up, primed and painted to "Blend in" with his ceiling, now he had a surface to attach his Reel to. Worked well for him.

Good luck.

 

[russlaferrera]

Personally I don't think 6 in is a big deal. Use the joist. However 1 1/4 sheetrock w/toggle bolt will hold up the reel. Your choice.

 

[ddawg16]

Or.....take a 1x6....cut it 17" long (or what ever the distance is between the ceiling joists is)....attach it to the ceiling using 2 #10 wood screws 2 1/2" long....and you now have a good surface to attach the reel too....

Paint it white (or the color of your drywall) and most people will not notice.....

If you want to really be fancy, route the eges with a router using a nice profile bit....it now becomes an 'artistic' element.....

 

[FlameOut]

I used a 50" piece of 2 x 6, spanned between 3 of my roof trusses. Attached it with lag bolts and easily hung my 50' air hose reel and electrical cord reel

 

[89MustangGX]

Thanks for the ideas and info guys.

Adam