locating ceiling joists

[hunterarmy]

Hi,

Im looking to hang a projector mount on my ceilng and have been advised the best and safer way is to screw into the cieling joist!

So what is the best and easiest way of finding the joist to be able to screw into it. Im not looking to use a stud finder as they can be rather unaccurate!

cheers guys!!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Where is the ceiling?
If it's upstairs and you can gain access to the loft, you can locate your joist from there. Just put a nail through the ceiling at the location of the joist, the it hole makes, can be filled in easy enough.
If it downstairs and you have carpets upstairs, you can pull the carpets back and the floorboards will tell you where your joists are running, by looking how and where they are fixed(screws/nail heads), this may need some accurate measuring though. Unlees you can lift the floorboards and poke a nail or screw through the ceiling at the desired location.
Stud finders are carp!
Your standard centres on ceiling joist are 400mm about 16 inch.
If you can locate one you should be able to locate them all by using this measurement.
If your property has a party wall the chances are there will be a joist along this wall and it's a good chance it's a starter joist.
So if you add 25mm/1 inch to your starter at this wall, then every 400mm/16 inch. There should be a joist.
Tapping the ceiling with your knuckles and finding a dense sound rather than a hollow one, will also help.