Safe to attach metal curtain brackets to RSJ?

[constantlylearning]

(Or is it a Steel Lintel?)

Hi There.

I hope someone out there can help! I've been charged with "making the curtain pole stay up!". As you can see from the uploaded pic, I got a guy to try to glue a couple of pass-through brackets (using sticks-like-sh*t) but sadly it wasn't as strong as our dog!

From what I've researched out there it suggests I could (get someone to) fix it straight into the RSJ using "self-tapping" screws but is this really a safe thing to do? Will this not affect the integrity of the RSJ? (Will the structural calculations made allow for such eventualities?)

Assuming it is - the curtain-bracket hole (for the screw) is ~4mm. Are you able to get screws this small in diameter which will suit, and which would be the best to get? (Also, looking at the space I suspect they need to be pretty short too).

Any advice greatly received.

Many, many thanks, Steve. (A bit of a novice).

 

[Alastairreid]

There is no problem drilling into the rsj.
4mm self tappers are readily available.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Self tapper work well in sheet steel, but thicker steel needs to be drilled and tapped. An M4 tapped hole will not be a problem.

 

[tony1851]

.....and you're having sleepless nights over a couple of 4mm holes in your beam................?

 

[^woody^]

.....and you're having sleepless nights over a couple of 4mm holes in your beam................?
View attachment 228246

Why didn't you just mark the pole brackets first? Measure once cut twice.

 

[constantlylearning]

.....and you're having sleepless nights over a couple of 4mm holes in your beam................?
View attachment 228246

ROFL. Thanks for the comforting post!

 

[constantlylearning]

Self tapper work well in sheet steel, but thicker steel needs to be drilled and tapped. An M4 tapped hole will not be a problem.

Thank you. Do you have any recommendations? My (handyman/tiler!) is here on (this) Monday and has asked me to get relevant bits (Tungsten HSS, I presume?) and screws in advance. (I guess it's likely to be an Amazon job).

Am I right in thinking I need to get bits which are 0.5mm smaller than the screw?

Thanks so much, Steve.

 

[constantlylearning]

There is no problem drilling into the rsj.
4mm self tappers are readily available.

Thank you so much for the fast (and comforting) reply. As per my last - and apologies to lean on you more - do you have any recommendations for both bits and screws (see post above)?

Steve.

 

[constantlylearning]

For example, hex head, Philips head, etc. (Is hex better for RSJ, or does it not really matter?). Thanks!

 

[constantlylearning]

(My last!) I've measured and the curtain-bracket holes are actually just under 5mm. (A 5mm metal drill bit will not pass through when turned). Is M4 the right choice? (Or is there something in-between?). Thanks!