How to hang lights straight?

[vavet]

Ceiling paint is done. Now I need to rehang my ten 4 foot twin tube fixtures. This is easy when you can see the drywall screws and have some way to orient it, but how do you do it when the ceiling is all white?
This is not something I ever thought about, but holy ****! It’s hard!
I started by measuring the first one by shooting one screw into the ceiling truss and then rotating until the measurement from one end to the back wall was the same as the measurement from the other side to the back wall. That’s seems a bit OCD, but as I get into the middle of the ceiling, small errors are going to add up and that might not even work.

 

[cvairwerks]

Rotating laser set so that it sweeps up the wall and across the floor and ceilings...If you didn't use toggle bolts, take the first light down and shoot a beam down the two mounting points. Once the first row is done, measure over for the center line of the next row and replicate...

You can do it with a string line too, lots of ways to make it happen. Laser just happens to the be the quickest method.

 

[Bert_]

Chalk-line if they're in a continuous row. If there are gaps between just use a string line and make marks where the fixtures go. Laser is a great option if you have access to one.

Measuring each individual fixture is marginal at best. They won't be perfect.

 

[pbon]

Yes, laser level to put a line down the ceiling. I bought one when installing 30 4’ led lights in my 750SF garage. Helped a lot. If you don’t want to buy one, use taut string and pencil in your locations. Obviously also need measuring tape to get the spacing correct. I bought a Bosch laser level on sale for around $50 and a folding tripod on amazon for about $25.

 

[mm08822]

I use a laser for laying out recessed lighting. Also blue painters tape with black sharpie to put temp marks on ceiling. Push pins to indicate the centerlines and they are helpful to measure off of in the middle of a line.

 

[BD1]

Buy the laser as mentioned. No brainer and definitely a time saver.


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[Platonic Solid]

Chalk line is cheap and easy (not much fun though). A good laser level is a great tool to have and works great for this application, but a quality self leveling one can easily run $400 to $700. Not sure what pbon got for $50, but heck if that does the trick that's great. I have this $700 CST (link) for all purpose indoor outdoor use and am happy with it.

 

[klassenl]

Laser is nice if you have it. A chalk line or a string line are both very accurate and very cheap.

 

[Bretny]

You can also use the 3-4-5 method for getting them 90* off a wall. Google it, its easier to see a pic of how it works. You only need a tape measure and a pencil for this method.

 

[PoorOwner]

I use a laser measure to install the screws the same distance to wall. The measurements have accuracy of 1/8”
My fixtures are about 1/4”-1/2” off in some but you can’t tell it’s not straight.

A laser line would be nicer but one that projects upwards is expensive.

 

[Jazzman442]

I used a thin string. I had my ceiling perfectly straight in no time.

 

[Git]

I have a couple of lasers, but on something like this, I prefer to use string also. Helps me check how the layout is going to look

 

[Kaizen]

Just a string line tied between two end screws. Easy.
Don’t use a chalk like as you will then have to try and get blue chalk off white.


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[pbon]

A good laser level is a great tool to have and works great for this application, but a quality self leveling one can easily run $400 to $700. Not sure what pbon got for $50, but heck if that does the trick that's great.

Might have been something like this, but I would have to go find it in the barn.

https://www.shop.com/Bosch+GLL50+RT...MI4oqJx6Dl5AIVARgMCh0WmgwYEAUYBSABEgJlwfD_BwE

EDIT — I just checked and mine is the GPL5, maybe an older version. It was on sale.

Fits right on a foldable amazon camera tripod that cost about $25. No need to spend $400 to $700 to beam a straight line on the ceiling. I assume the $400-700 level can do a lot more and that you bought it because you need the other features.

 

[sparky 1971]

If you have really good eyes, you could try snapping a white chalk line on the ceiling. I know one guy who swears by it. I tried it once, but couldn't see the line.

I doubt you are installing the fixtures end to end. If you are, a blue chalk line will be fine as long as you don't snap it beyond the ends of the fixtures.

I have pulled a string along the edge of the fixtures. Be careful if you do this, all it takes is one fixture pushing on the string to screw up the whole line.

 

[Platonic Solid]

...No need to spend $400 to $700 to beam a straight line on the ceiling. I assume the $400-700 level can do a lot more and that you bought it because you need the other features.

Agreed. Yes, I purchased it primarily for outdoor property drainage grading and structure leveling. The indoor uses are secondary perks.

 

[Marctrees]

Uhhhhhhhhh... like said above......... a stretched reference string.

Then the screws go like 1/8" or 1/4" or whatever away from not touching to disturb the string.

Why does anyone need an actual pig pen chalkline all the way across their ceiling ?

?

?

Laser needed ?????????????

Wowsa Wow WTF.

I don't think so.

Marc

 

[cvairwerks]

Why does anyone need an actual pig pen chalkline all the way across their ceiling ?

?

?

Laser needed ?????????????

Wowsa Wow WTF.

I don't think so.

Marc

Laser made it easy to figure out why noting was lining up correctly in my garage a few years back. Shot the laser line across the ceiling and discovered that the garage is not a rectangle, but a trapezoid....in all directions....

 

[Platonic Solid]

No one said a laser is required, but measuring the layout on the floor and projecting it to the ceiling is a lot faster and more accurate than any other method. If your dealing with a pitched or irregular ceiling it's even more convenient. The ideal scenario would be to borrow a laser from a friend.

 

[vavet]

I think I was not descriptive enough in my original post.
The light fixtures are mounted parallel to the truss chord (see attached pic). The wires are already protruding through the drywall, so I know where they are. I also made a sketch prior to the drywall finishing to indicate which side of the truss chord the wiring was on.
Pulling the wiring through the fixture gives me a point about which the fixture can rotate. I want to the fixture parallel to the short wall and perpendicular to the long wall. This is the root of my question.

I don't have a laser level that shoots upward, only out to the side. But I did remember I had a laser tape measure. I used that to shoot a measurement to the 24 foot (short) wall while holding it against either end of the fixture. I rotated the fixture until the measurements from either end were close to being equal. This is one of those things that would be much easier with two people, but I didn't have two people so I did the best I could.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Best way is still an oscillating or rotating laser that creates a guide line on the ceiling.