How to Bolt Into a Ceiling Joist
- 1). Set a ladder under the area of the ceiling where you want to install the bolt. Climb up to the ceiling carrying a stud finder.
- 2). Turn the stud finder on and place the back of it flat against the ceiling in the desired location. Move the stud finder from side to side, watching for the light to come on, which signifies the location of a ceiling joist. Draw a small pencil line on the ceiling to mark the spot.
- 3). Move the stud finder to the left or right, approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches until the light goes off, which signifies the end of the joist. Make another mark in this location with the pencil.
- 4). Climb back down the ladder and install a 3/8-inch drill bit into a drill. Don safety glasses since you will be looking up as you drill.
- 5). Climb back up to the ceiling and place the tip of the drill bit on the ceiling between the two pencil marks.
- 6). Squeeze the drill’s trigger to drill a 1-inch-deep hole into the joist. Exert upward pressure as you drill.
- 7). Set the drill aside and insert the threaded end of a 1/2-inch-diameter lag bolt into the hole. Turn the lag bolt clockwise using your hands until it is too tight to turn. Place a pair of pliers around the bolt and continue turning it until the threads are completely inside the ceiling.
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