Mount lights to steel ceiling with magnets

[snake_plisskin]

Hey everyone, I’m installing a steel ceiling in my shop and planning to use Barrina 8’ long led lights. The lights come with mounting clips that are screwed to the ceiling. One thing I was thinking though is that since the ceiling is steel it should be possible to mount the lights with magnets.

The benefits would be no screws going through the ceiling and it would be pretty easy to reconfigure the lights if necessary.

Has anyone ever tried that?

 

[WildBill]

Those don't weigh very much, probably work fine if you got some rare earth magnets and slapped them on the light fixtures. I use them for holding up some of my big road signs and other stuff in my shop, works fine. I used something like these -

https://www.amazon.com/LOVIMAG-Magnets-Waterproof-Neodymium-Mounting/dp/B0CWPCKVKD?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Firebrick43]

Magnets loose power over time, plus vibration from weather or geological events could have an effect and the steel is pretty thin limiting holding power as well.

Mounting things on a wall were the magnets power causes shear friction compared to a ceiling were the power has to support all the weight.

It would be in the Darwin Award territory to be killed/maimed by a falling light because one was too lazy to drill a few small hooks. Or do 1000’s in damage if the fall on a nice car.

 

[bwringer]

Should work fine. LED lights are usually very light. Yeah, I'd be reluctant to poke holes in my steel ceiling.

 

[Bert_]

Pretty good idea since those are really low quality lights and the magnets will make it easier when you have to replace them.

 

[BrandonV]

Those are extremely lightweight. I see no issues with it. A quality neodymium magnet won't loose any noticeable strength for multiple decades far exceeding the lifespan of the lights.

 

[cybrdyke]

There are plenty of LED light bars that include magnet mounts with them. However, the instructions always say that the magnets are there to hold the fixture in place while you install a screw. Some folks never install the screw.
CD

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I used magnets on a couple to figure out orientation, spacing etc. I put tape on the ceiling first to avoid scratches. For permanent mounting I attached rings to some of the screws that hold the ceiling up.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Magnets are NOT approved for permanently mounting fixtures to a metal ceiling…….. Neither are drywall screws, adhesive, zip ties.
Would magnets hold up the fixture? YES! Until you get some seismic activity or storm activity and they get shaken loose.

BTW! There are some super strong magnets on the market nowadays. www.kjmagnetics.com

 

[The Cobbler]

I am positive that would not pass fire codes here.

 

[dave*99]

Mounting things on a wall were the magnets power causes shear friction compared to a ceiling were the power has to support all the weight.

You sure about that? Is seems a helluva lot easier to slide a strong magnet along a piece of steel than to pluck it off.

 

[BrandonV]

Magnets are NOT approved for permanently mounting fixtures to a metal ceiling…….. Neither are drywall screws, adhesive, zip ties.
Would magnets hold up the fixture? YES! Until you get some seismic activity or storm activity and they get shaken loose.

BTW! There are some super strong magnets on the market nowadays. www.kjmagnetics.com

I joke about this all the time when I see equipment mounted from the T-grid in office buildings. Every T-grid company I call tells me their grid is not designed to hold anything but ceiling tiles, yet I haven't seen a company NOT hang things from the grid.

 

[cybrdyke]

I joke about this all the time when I see equipment mounted from the T-grid in office buildings. Every T-grid company I call tells me their grid is not designed to hold anything but ceiling tiles, yet I haven't seen a company NOT hang things from the grid.

There are lots of light fixtures designed to attach directly to the T-grid. There are also fasteners that are made specifically for attaching things to the T-grid. But, yeah....the T-grid manufacturers dont really like it.
CD

 

[aggie113]

BTW! There are some super strong magnets on the market nowadays. www.kjmagnetics.com

Love this site, they basically sell magic rocks in my mind....
Also, be sure your ceiling doesn't get above 176° F

 

[Higgins]

Hey everyone, I’m installing a steel ceiling in my shop and planning to use Barrina 8’ long led lights. The lights come with mounting clips that are screwed to the ceiling. One thing I was thinking though is that since the ceiling is steel it should be possible to mount the lights with magnets.

The benefits would be no screws going through the ceiling and it would be pretty easy to reconfigure the lights if necessary.

Has anyone ever tried that?

Not on the ceiling. Look at the HF large round magnets and believe me they would hold a typical light to the ceiling

 

[tarbellb]

Magnets will def work, just two strong countersunk disc at each end and your gtg

also consider using quality double stick tape like 3M VHB. If done correctly it wont fall, ever, probably bend the fixture trying to pull it down.

 

[nadogail]

I guess magnets would be better than Velcro.

 

[imma_stocker]

Neo magnets from HF are barely strong enough to hold picks to the side of my cart. I would not use them to hold anything overhead.

 

[gba2331]

IMO this seems like a "Do it right or do it twice" job.

 

[southalabama]

Magnets will def work, just two strong countersunk disc at each end and your gtg

also consider using quality double stick tape like 3M VHB. If done correctly it wont fall, ever, probably bend the fixture trying to pull it down.

3m vhb

 

[SuperStructure]

Any updates Snake??
You did not state what kind of metal ceiling.
I personally love magnets, & LED Lights.
I have them everywhere, however, I would shy away from using them to mount something overhead.
Cheers