Noob trying to fit a new light

MaxP779

MaxP779

MaxP779

Associate
Joined
2 Mar 2009
Posts
1,033
Location
Glasgow
Hey, im looking to replace a ceiling light but im not 100% on what exactly it is im doing...

Heres where the previous light was, fitting holes circled:
http://i.imgur.com/UCp7EYC.jpg

Previous light:
http://i.imgur.com/CmnKRR7.jpg

New light:
http://i.imgur.com/b2ybkRx.jpg

So im gonna have to drill some holes to fit this new light, my questions are:

- What am i drilling into, Is it just plasterboard up there or is there a wooden joist i need to find etc?

- Semi related to the previous question, does it matter where i fit this light? I plan to put it exactly over where the previous one was but im just curious.

- When drilling how do i know i wont hit a wire or pipe or something? The house was built with that kind of stuff in mind right?

My house was built in 1997 and is a 2 bed timber framed semi detached, in case that makes any difference.
 
There are two wall plugs, so your light fitting is fixing into plasterboard.

You may find a joist, they are usually at 16"centres, unlikely any pipe will resting on the plasterboard.

Plasterboard looks like 9.5mm, but could may be 12.7mm thick, so you can mark your drill with tape at these depths, drill carefully.
 
Last edited:
You can get Self Drill Plasterboard Screw metal fixings.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/516069/?source=123_75

Might find them cheaper if you look around, local hardware/ toolshop might sell them loose.

Nothing wrong with that drill, will tackle most diy tasks perfectly.

Also have a look at this drill, a bit more powerful, & if you have family member over 60, they can get a 10% discount on Wednesday with the free B&Q Diamond card.

http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-to...-Compact-Hammer-Drill-10957601?skuId=11448305
 
Last edited:
Just use the plaster board anchors nightglow linked and a manual screwdriver, like from the olden days + elbow grease :)

ps. If you do use those anchors, you don't want to drive them in with a drill anyways, you need to feel what they are doing, or they can tear the ceiling up if your not careful, for example if you try to screw one into plasterboard that turns out to have a joist behind it, it will screw the plasterboard away and chew it up / create a hole, best to use screwdriver and feel whats going on

or you will over shoot and screw it straight though and make a hole.

you can use the tips of the anchors to start the hole, or just a flat head screwdriver to make a start hole then drive the anchors in
 
Last edited:
Hmm those self drilling screws look pretty good however im gonna roll with the drill a hole + rawlplug option, they are gonna be easier to remove + fill if i change the light again etc.

Ive been doing some research into drills and these SDS drills seem to be held in high regard. Hows this combo in terms of bang for buck and longevity?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeWalt-D25013K-Combi-Hammer-Drill/dp/B003ASPLZI/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-196570-Piece-Drill-Steel/dp/B000NC0JH4/ref=pd_bxgy_diy_img_z

That could do small holes in plasterboard and every job up to light masonry work if required couldn't it?
 
Yeah the drill will go through brick / concrete no problem, I've got a similar dewalt, been using it for a few years on a regular basis drilling upto 16mm through stock brick.

If your only going to be doing bits of diy putting up the odd shelf or tv bracket you may get more from a cordless combi drill though
 
You shouldn't use raw plugs on plasterboard as they will provide very little mechanical strength which won't be sufficient enough for larger / heavier light fixtures.
Ezee's are what you should be using on plasterboard as they provide excellent mechanical strength and even the heaviest light fitting isn't going to come crashing down on your head :eek: :p

That said you should be looking to get at least one of your fixings into the joist above, then one or two ezee's where no joist above is available will create a fixing strong enough to physically hang from :-)
 
Last edited:
C.R.A.Z.Y said:
You shouldn't use raw plugs on plasterboard as they will provide very little mechanical strength which won't be sufficient enough for larger / heavier light fixtures.
Ezee's are what you should be using on plasterboard as they provide excellent mechanical strength and even the heaviest light fitting isn't going to come crashing down on your head :eek: :p
Click to expand...

Whats an Ezee?
 
MaxP779 said:
Whats an Ezee?
Click to expand...

n0V4qPD.jpg

danny77 said:
Its only a light not a ceiling fan and it has three fixing points so a decent rawl plug would be sufficient, I've seen lights fitted with just drywall screws directly into the board before now.

A decent plug would do the job like these.

http://www.rawlplug.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=34
Click to expand...

Many modern light fixtures are actually pretty heavy these days, ALL electrical fixings should be strong enough so that you cannot physically pull them off (Ohh err :p ) , RAW plugs in plasterboard would pull out with relativity little effort unless you used a silly amount of them!
(You also have to take into account the repeated stress's and movement placed on the fixture and fixings when the bulbs need replacing)
If it's a job worth doing then it's a job worth doing properly ;)

/16 Ed.
 
MaxP779 said:
Hmm those self drilling screws look pretty good however im gonna roll with the drill a hole + rawlplug option, they are gonna be easier to remove + fill if i change the light again etc.

Ive been doing some research into drills and these SDS drills seem to be held in high regard. Hows this combo in terms of bang for buck and longevity?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeWalt-D25013K-Combi-Hammer-Drill/dp/B003ASPLZI/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-196570-Piece-Drill-Steel/dp/B000NC0JH4/ref=pd_bxgy_diy_img_z

That could do small holes in plasterboard and every job up to light masonry work if required couldn't it?
Click to expand...
SDS drills are for proper heavy duty stuff really, and you need special still bits that fit the SDS chuck. Not the ideal tool for drilling a few little hols in a ceiling really!
 
There's no way on gods earth I would hang a ceiling light fitting from just plasterboard. I don't believe either that the existing one wasn't either in a patress or fixed to a joist. And LOL at an SDS for drilling plaster, you could punch a hole in it with a pencil ;)
 
LOAM said:
There's no way on gods earth I would hang a ceiling light fitting from just plasterboard. I don't believe either that the existing one wasn't either in a patress or fixed to a joist. And LOL at an SDS for drilling plaster, you could punch a hole in it with a pencil ;)
Click to expand...

I know i just kinda hoped it would be a one size fits all solution :) Guess its too powerful though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom