How Would You Tackle This Job?

[Metal Head]

Hi,

The wife and I purchased a couple of lamp shades in the hope of me putting them up in our back room. However, this morning I mounted one of them but fortunately prior to letting go of it, I tried to see how steady it was. Then it fell out particially from the ceiling.

As you will see (images attached) both baton globe holders are attached (well supposed to be) via a plastic plug (x 2) that opens up by tightening the screw up. However the theory in plasterboard doesn't work so good. So I am reluctant to drill 2 holes 90* to the original ones for fear they won't take the additional weight of the new shades.

I suppose I could use toggle clamps but they are a pain putting them in a ceiling - also concerned they may grip on the wires.

Given that I don't have access to the roof (a flat one), could I put a blank disc/square piece of wood/plastic (reluctant to use metal because of electrocution - even given the long odds) and attach it to the ceiling via screws or no nails?

However, it makes me wonder why most electricians drill such a large hole for the little wires to go through? Don't they realise the lamp holders still need to be attached to the remaining plasterboard.

Thanking those in advance of their replies.
MH

Btw, I am aware that the one plug is broken on one of the existing fittings.

[nev25]

I would be inclined to drill new holes and use anka wall pugs available from electrical wholesalers
http://www.ampere.com.au/html/prod8_1.html

[q9]

I would be inclined to drill new holes and use anka wall pugs available from electrical wholesalers
http://www.ampere.com.au/html/prod8_1.html

Or wall mates will probably work here too. Properly used they will hold a fair weight.

[MrFixIt]

Hi

You can buy similar "style" of fasteners, but designed to work in plasterboard/gyprock. They expand closer to the gyprock providing a good grip.

[Metal Head]

Thanx lads for your replies but with the greatest of respect I can only assume you didn't look at the image of one of the existing holes. You will see that there is hardly any decent plaster left to put in any type of fittings safely without the remaining plaster disintegrating. That is why I was asking if it was possible (as I haven't seen it done) that I could put a blank disc/square piece of wood/plastic (reluctant to use metal because of electrocution - even given the long odds) and attach it to the ceiling via screws or no nails?

Has anyone here seen or done that themselves?

Cheers
MH

[juan]

What about a decorative ceiling rose to hide the hole and add some body.

Attachment 62815

[patty]

These clipsal 530T batten holders are as useless as tits on a bull ok they are quickfit unit and cut time down on installation but a virtually useless for holding anything but their own weight . Have you had a "prod" with a screwdriver around the area where the batten older is to see if their is timber close by and just move to the left or the right of it? failing that clipsal do a heritage range of ceiling roses all they are is a dressed peice of timber in either square or round usually stained in colour about 15 mm thick with a hole in the middle for the cables you will have to disconnect the batten holder and liquid nails the rose over the existing hole pulling the cables through then re-connect the holder in place using screws!

[MrFixIt]

That is why I was asking if it was possible (as I haven't seen it done) that I could put a blank disc/square piece of wood/plastic and attach it to the ceiling via screws or no nails?

Sure, you can do that. To some extent it depends on how much effort you want to put in to the job.

Sometimes these fittings are very close or right next to a ceiling rafter. If this is the case in your situation you may be able to utilise the rafter to attach the "disk".

If not, you will need to cut a larger hole (maybe 75mm) through which you can pass a strip of material that will serve as the support for the disk. You could probably scavenge a scrap piece of gyprock from a local building site (ask first though ) and use this for both the "strip" and the disk.

This may be a difficult task to do with your low space above the ceiling. Essentailly though all you beed to do is use some adhesive on the ends of the strip, "poke" the strip through the hole and "pull it down on to the back of the ceiling. There are several ways to do this, if you need advice then please ask.

When the "strip" is securely in place then you "stick" your disk to it and compete the job with the appropriate fasteners.

Probably the quickest and easiest way to fix this light fitting is to use toggle bolts like you have alredy mentioned.

Has anyone here seen or done that themselves?

Not exactly this job but similar and I used the method I described above.

good luck.

[Slobba]

i'd be calling an electrician ....get it back into place, with the same screws etc attached and a couple of blobs of cornice adhesive onto the screws inside the ceiling, but still call an electrician

[Ivan in Oz]

I am thinking that the Mounting you have is for Masonary.

These are what I'd use in PlasterBoard;
likely @ 90* to the old holes

http://www.itwproline.com.au/Hollow-...s/default.aspx

[Ivan in Oz]

Or try something like this,
Much more secure; but need access into the ceiling

http://www.dusk.com.au/dusk-diy.html

[Metal Head]

Thanks lads who replied since my last post, much appreciated.

MH