DIY gurus: Plaster board, Spring Toggles, Light hanging question

smr · 16 Aug 2012 at 12:35

Can this be done?

I want to hang this light which weighs 3.8 kg :

On this ceiling (Plasterboard)

With something like this:

Can this be done and done safely?

DcD · 16 Aug 2012 at 12:58

Does it have to be in a certain position? If not, find one of the studs (or the ceiling equivalent word) and drill into that?

If it's central I'd personally be a little worried about 3.8kg hanging from a ceiling. I'm not sure what the maximum load for plasterboard is.

rodenal · 16 Aug 2012 at 13:14

I'd expect you to put a timber support in for that - not too difficult but means you'll be patching / repainting

Gilly · 16 Aug 2012 at 13:15

I wouldn't mount it on plasterboard alone.

fornowagain · 16 Aug 2012 at 13:17

Spread the load, if you can't find a joist or put some wood behind. Make a small plate and use a 3 or 4 fixings into the plaster. Then fix the light on to the plate.

PistolPete · 16 Aug 2012 at 14:54

DcD said:
Does it have to be in a certain position? If not, find one of the studs (or the ceiling equivalent word) and drill into that?

If it's central I'd personally be a little worried about 3.8kg hanging from a ceiling. I'm not sure what the maximum load for plasterboard is.

This. The spring toggle will need about a 13mm hole, so you'd be resting near to 4KG on 4 0.5mm thin, 1cm long strips of metal. Not sure the plasterboard would last very long.

Find a ceiling joist, drill a 2-3mm pilot hole and screw a 60mm long screw in.

pitchfork · 16 Aug 2012 at 15:03

Common practise is to secure at least one screw into the stud, I wouldn't use spring toggles at all.
If the stud isn't in place, take floorboards up and fix a batten in to allow you to secure into something solid.
Or if aesthetics aren't an issue fix a batten externally.

Use snap toggles or hollow wall anchors if you really, can't do anything (laminate down or something). Spring toggles are ****e. And make sure no tall people bump into it/ drunk people hang on it etc.

Soundood · 16 Aug 2012 at 16:11

the short answer is no, 3.8Kg is a lot to hang from plasterboard. you would need to baton it first from behind or in front, bolting the baton onto stud, or beam.

if this is a public venue, you will also need a safety chain, rated to about 10kg min, i personaly would fit a safety rated to 20kg, just to be sure

Nightglow · 16 Aug 2012 at 16:12

Studs should be at 400mm centres.

If you can find two studs, you always fix a piece of ply, mdf to them, then screw light fixing to that, & paint same colour as wall.

smr · 16 Aug 2012 at 16:55

Ok thanks for the replies, as it seems this involves needing to get to the back of the plasterboard it seems I'm screwed (forgive the pun)... this is my room so you can understand what I mean better than me trying to explain it...

As you can see the fiberglassed wall stops where the slop starts so I can't access the sloped ceiling from behind...

milgo · 16 Aug 2012 at 17:11

You don't need access to the back directly. Although of course the job would be a lot less messy! You.can cut one or two holes to feed in wooden batons. You have to grip them in the hole then screw in from the front.

Or make a hole big enough to use a torch and mirror to see what you can secure to if you don't have a finder.

smr · 16 Aug 2012 at 17:34

milgo said:
You don't need access to the back directly. Although of course the job would be a lot less messy! You.can cut one or two holes to feed in wooden batons. You have to grip them in the hole then screw in from the front.

Or make a hole big enough to use a torch and mirror to see what you can secure to if you don't have a finder.

This isn't something I want to do really, I'm about as good at DIY as I am at Golf.

Would this be a job for 'your local DIY trader?'

PistolPete · 16 Aug 2012 at 18:05

Well the joists are going to be 400 or 600mm apart so using the hole you already have you can see the nearest one - it'll be 200-300mm away from the hole max.