Process of attaching a board to the garage ceiling... 20100302_7977
The photo shows the tools I used to hold a 2x4 against the ceiling of my garage. I was attaching 2x4s to the ceiling to make it easier to hang things and brace things (like free-standing shelves).
The picture was taken part-way through the process of pressing the board to the ceiling. I was acting alone. Based on something I saw in a magazine, and heavily influenced by my make-it-as-complicated-as-possible philosophy, the method I used was this:
1. Mark location on ceiling for the 2x4 ceiling board (hereafter referred to as "ceiling board").
2. Nail two small string cradles to the ceiling near the ends of the proposed position of the ceiling board. The ceiling board will hang temporarily in these cradles.
3. Insert one end of the ceiling board into one cradle, then the other end into the other cradle. Result: the ceiling board is hanging in the two cradles about two inches (5cm) below the ceiling.
4. Place two clamps within easy reach of each end of the ceiling board. They will be used later.
5. Grab two other boards: a pre-cut board that is almost as long as the floor-to-ceiling distance and a short board. These, clamped together, will act as temporary supports for the ceiling board. Stand on a stool under one end of the ceiling board, holding the two supports together vertically.
6. Keeping the supports pressed together, move the short board upward as far as possible, elevating the end of the ceiling board. Clamp the two supports together. RESULT: the very end of the ceiling board is pressed against the ceiling. The other end of the ceiling board is still lying in its cradle.
7. Repeat the raising process at the other end of the ceiling board. RESULT: this end of the ceiling board is now pressed against the ceiling, but the other end is still a bit loose.
8. Return to the first end of the ceiling board, loosen the clamps, repeat the raising process, and re-clamp the supports. RESULT: this end of the hanging board is tight enough against the ceiling to require no more raising.
9. Return (again) to the second end and repeat the raising process there. RESULT: the ceiling board is pressed tightly enough against the ceiling to allow drilling of pilot holes for the screws that will attach the ceiling board to the ceiling.
10. Drill holes, install screws, remove the hanging cradles and supports.
The process is tedious to say the least. But it worked: I attached four 2x4s to the ceiling in this manner. After this work was finished I realized I could have simplified this process by using my stepladders as bases for holding the 2x4s in place. One can buy devices called "third hands" (often used by carpenters and drywall installers) to hold things in place, but I am too cheap to shell out $50 for a tool that gets little use.
I am in a rare fit of industriousness in the garage. That's why I've been inactive on Flickr lately. The goal is to create a better working environment on my side of the garage and enough additional storage space that we can park my wife's Jeep in the garage again.
Process of attaching a board to the garage ceiling... 20100302_7977
The photo shows the tools I used to hold a 2x4 against the ceiling of my garage. I was attaching 2x4s to the ceiling to make it easier to hang things and brace things (like free-standing shelves).
The picture was taken part-way through the process of pressing the board to the ceiling. I was acting alone. Based on something I saw in a magazine, and heavily influenced by my make-it-as-complicated-as-possible philosophy, the method I used was this:
1. Mark location on ceiling for the 2x4 ceiling board (hereafter referred to as "ceiling board").
2. Nail two small string cradles to the ceiling near the ends of the proposed position of the ceiling board. The ceiling board will hang temporarily in these cradles.
3. Insert one end of the ceiling board into one cradle, then the other end into the other cradle. Result: the ceiling board is hanging in the two cradles about two inches (5cm) below the ceiling.
4. Place two clamps within easy reach of each end of the ceiling board. They will be used later.
5. Grab two other boards: a pre-cut board that is almost as long as the floor-to-ceiling distance and a short board. These, clamped together, will act as temporary supports for the ceiling board. Stand on a stool under one end of the ceiling board, holding the two supports together vertically.
6. Keeping the supports pressed together, move the short board upward as far as possible, elevating the end of the ceiling board. Clamp the two supports together. RESULT: the very end of the ceiling board is pressed against the ceiling. The other end of the ceiling board is still lying in its cradle.
7. Repeat the raising process at the other end of the ceiling board. RESULT: this end of the ceiling board is now pressed against the ceiling, but the other end is still a bit loose.
8. Return to the first end of the ceiling board, loosen the clamps, repeat the raising process, and re-clamp the supports. RESULT: this end of the hanging board is tight enough against the ceiling to require no more raising.
9. Return (again) to the second end and repeat the raising process there. RESULT: the ceiling board is pressed tightly enough against the ceiling to allow drilling of pilot holes for the screws that will attach the ceiling board to the ceiling.
10. Drill holes, install screws, remove the hanging cradles and supports.
The process is tedious to say the least. But it worked: I attached four 2x4s to the ceiling in this manner. After this work was finished I realized I could have simplified this process by using my stepladders as bases for holding the 2x4s in place. One can buy devices called "third hands" (often used by carpenters and drywall installers) to hold things in place, but I am too cheap to shell out $50 for a tool that gets little use.
I am in a rare fit of industriousness in the garage. That's why I've been inactive on Flickr lately. The goal is to create a better working environment on my side of the garage and enough additional storage space that we can park my wife's Jeep in the garage again.