4 Critical Tools To Install Hanging Racks

By Joseph Kraehenbuehl


While other tools will do the job, use the right tool in order to save time and finish the job quicker. Using the improper tool can cause injury. It may cause exhaustion from doing work more difficult than you should, which ends in aggravation or irritation with the project. Do the wiser thing by utilizing the right tools. For those who do not already own them or perhaps it does not sound practical to purchase them, ask friends or nearby neighbors if they have the equipment that you need.

Ceiling shelving need to be mounted securely to ceiling joists. Run those long three inch lag bolts into the joists with the use of an impact driver. It is best to pre-drill the holes to ensure you do not risk breaking the wood which may diminish the strength of the joist. A rechargeable drill will drive lag screws, probably with a bit of assist of candle wax on the threads, but it is significantly better to work with an impact driver. You will need an adapter for your impact driver to be able to attach sockets from a socket kit.

Locate ceiling joists using a stud finder in deep scan mode. Extra layers of sheet rock, texture, or insulation may interfere with basic scan. Skip the exhaustive attempts to locate center beam with hole punches, coat hangers, or long thin nails. Any mid grade stud finder will have deep scan functions. Check the instructions that come with it for how to enter deep scan mode. A digital display is a nice bonus for higher end scanners because you can see the edges of the studs and they often have a sound and light to indicate center stud.

Look for a tape measure wider than one inch. A wide measuring tape can be extended to greater distances without folding. Even though it's probably the most convenient tape measure, the adorable mini in the family toolkit isn't adequate for this project. Quality tape measures also use contrasting markings on 16" intervals for wall studs, in the event your ceiling joists are also spaced 16" on center. The foot increments ought to be highlighted on just about any tape measure.

A rubber mallet is the proper tool for connected riveted pieces without denting, bending, or scratching the sheet framing members. You may be tempted to use a hammer, but be warned. You may tell yourself you can be gentle, but you'll be kicking yourself later for not getting the right tool. Save your ears from the banging of metal on metal. Use a rubber mallet. If you insist on using a hammer, put a block of wood over where you're striking. You may need a helper to hold the framing while you handle the block and hammer... or grow a third arm.

With the right tools, your ceiling garage storage shelf installation can be an pleasant and satisfying task. Buy or borrow that which you do not already own. Collect an impact driver, wide tape measure, stud finder with deep scan, and rubber mallet. This isn't a complete list of the equipment you will need to mount a hanging rack, but they will make the task easier and take less time.




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