Hanging I-Beam from ceiling joists

brooksman9 · Mar 13, 2024

What's everyone's thoughts on my idea. I have a 5' long I-Beam, 6"x4", going to hang from the bottom of ceiling joists. 1-5/8" Unistrut spanning 4 joist on top each side with 1/2" rod dropped to more strut below holding beam tight to bottom of joists. Then I can hang a trolley and chain hoist from that. Joists are 2x10's 16' long on 16" centers. Collar ties on the rafters every 4'. Plan to use to lift bed off and on. Maybe use it to pull an engine if need be in the future. I built this garage and it is pretty stout in my opinion. I don't think I'd have any problems with this setup. Anybody think otherwise? Just curious.

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mtbadbob · Mar 13, 2024

Well, I think you're pushing the span of 16" for anything real heavy. Do you have any ties to the rafters from the CJ's?? If you had a couple running from rafter to cj, I think that'd be better. I don't believe you are in any danger of them cracking, of course depending on the grade, but gravity WILL be a factor over the long term. They'll probably be fine really. Did you crown them properly? Are they DF#2's?

Ricko1966 · Mar 13, 2024

I did something similiar once to pull a 402 with a come along,back in the old days I used a 2x6 sandwiched between the floor and the bottom of the beam on each end,it worked just fine. Also threw a drive shaft across IDK 4 rafters once to pull a 350 Olds and a 428 pontiac using a chain hoist. I know the span on the 402 had to of been 12 feet the Olds and Pontiac I just don't remember how long the driveshaft was.

brooksman9 · Mar 13, 2024

No but I did just think about that. Wouldn't take much but a little lumber. I could add collar ties on every set of rafters I intend to use and tie those to the joists as well on either side of the beam. The beam was free from work. If it worked out well enough I was thinking of installing a longer one in the future. I could still do the same as mentioned above everywhere it spans.

mtbadbob · Mar 13, 2024

brooksman9 said:
No but I did just think about that. Wouldn't take much but a little lumber. I could add collar ties on every set of rafters I intend to use and tie those to the joists as well on either side of the beam. The beam was free from work. If it worked out well enough I was thinking of installing a longer one in the future. I could still do the same as mentioned above everywhere it spans.

Gusset some 2"x6" verticals to the rafters with collar ties & I think you'll be fine.

Keith Seymore · Mar 14, 2024

I'd tie it to the top of the walls if I could, to drive the load to ground in that way.

K

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Dmack · Mar 14, 2024

Keith's suggestion is what I did in my shop. The problem is you would not he able to use the short rail you have. I had to go with a 24ft I beam and a pair of 10ft 4x4 square tubes for the uprights. Plus it runs side to side instead of front to back. Not as handy for things like engine pulls.

Frankenchevy · Mar 14, 2024

The bed is only 400 lbs. I’m sure a couple of joists could handle that weight. Fat people are supported by smaller joists all the time.

Modern span tables are very conservative

brooksman9 · Mar 15, 2024

Still need to add some collar ties and drop down supports but the beam is hung.

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brooksman9 · Mar 15, 2024

Supports in. Just need to go get my trolley.

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AaronW · Mar 15, 2024

brooksman9 said:
Supports in. Just need to go get my trolley.

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Cool setup. I just did this in my shop, with a beam that around 8 1/2 feet long. I had to put in an extra wood beam to do it, will post a pic when I think about it, I'd be interested in seeing others' setups like this, too.

Aaron

hogdaddy · Mar 15, 2024

brooksman9 said:
Supports in. Just need to go get my trolley.

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Chain should not go around a beam it creates a weak link but may be ok with the weight of bed.
Beam clamp (or trolley) with a shackle is the correct way.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/vestil-horizontal-beam-clamp-4k-load-capacity-4000-lb-hook-material-steel-frame-material-steel-model-bc-4-5260485

brooksman9 · Mar 15, 2024

That is just to hang the hoist to look at. Going to dinner and get a trolley afterwards.

brooksman9 · Mar 15, 2024

Trolley procured.

mtbadbob · Mar 17, 2024

brooksman9 said:
Supports in. Just need to go get my trolley.

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That'll hold up a freight train!

Hanging I-Beam from ceiling joists

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