flourescent light!

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How do you chaps find a joist in a ceiling when changing a normal bulb to a flourescent light?

Without making holes all over the ceiling. :wink:
 
With difficulty usually. :wink: :wink:
Nah seriously, you could try an electronic joist locator. Although I'm not sure they work.
When you remove the old light fitting, you may well be able to see the joist and see the alignment of the joist.
 
With difficulty usually. :wink: :wink:
Nah seriously, you could try an electronic joist locator. Although I'm not sure they work.
When you remove the old light fitting, you may well be able to see the joist and see the alignment of the joist.
They are running to outside wall, so it should'nt be too difficult but I was thinking you chaps might know a different way, it looks like its gonna be the tiny screwdriver method. :lol:
 
just tap away.. you can hear where it's hollow and where it starts to get more solid..
then it's just a case of narrowing it down..

alternatively we cheat and use toggle anchors or such and just fix it to the void..

floor joists shuld be at 16 inch centers ( 450 ish ) so if you can see which way the joist runs you can roughly measure it.. and then as you say it's fine screwdriver in a stright line until you find wood.. :)
 
Use these...
HOLLOW_WALL_ANCHORS_illustr.jpg


Or similar.
 
True I could use toggle type plugs but TBH I like doing it properly and will find the joist if I can, Although the toggle types are great, Movement like changing tube etc. will work it loose and although it may happen years down the line ,, I wouldn't like it for myself, so won't do it for others.

A job done properly is a job done right. :)

Thanks for the words of wisdom guys, it all gets taken on board, even if not applied straight away :wink: .
 
The existing fitting will be adjacent the timber, so no need to go looking for it.
 
Movement like changing tube etc. will work it loose and although it may happen years down the line ,, I wouldn't like it for myself, so won't do it for others..

A machine screw cavity fixing will take decades to work loose. Gum the thread up with a bit of PTFE tape or something and it'll take even longer.
 

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