Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Hanging a neon sign from rafters

Going to be hanging a double sided 48" neon sign from my rafters in my garage. Sign is 2 SSP 48" signs with a can and all the neon. I did use electronic transformers in order to cut down on the overall weight.

My questions is... what have some of you found to be the acceptable weight limit to hang from standard rafters using an eye-hook type of installation? And you think its safe to hang from one rafter, or should I use a steel plate connecting to 2 rafters?

Here are the mounts I was debating on buying...

Bryce,

Big question is are your rafters 2x4 2x6 2x8?, dont laugh theres plenty of trusses out there with 2x4 bottom chords, at any rate if its a 2x6 or bigger they will handle the weight, for ease I'd cleat a plate on the bottom thats a little longer than the chain spacing on your sign and bolt your connections to them, that way you can space it so your chains are vertical, otherwise your married to the rafter spacing and getting that sign to hang level is way harder, assuming your using chain.
I recommend a 3/8 x 3 1/2 lag and predrill it if you use the cleat.

Above explanation correct, many rafters are just there to hold above and not hold up anything heavy for underneath. If needed and closed attic, run the top mounting under the truss and then span three trusses with 2x material bolted on top for strength and to keep it from bowing.

i should have added some more details...

my garage is built 'barn' style... so I'm referring to the ceiling rafters, which are not the bottom of a truss or anything. I'm pretty sure they are 2x8s.

Here's a pic of the garage and the area the sign will hang, and also a really bad drawing representing how the sign is going to hang

I would recommend to use eye bolts(drop forged)and clevis. If you use the plates do not use lag bolts, use nuts and bolts to attach to rafters.

Bryce, any quess on how much the sign weighs?

i will weigh it tonight, but I am guessing about 150-lbs

Based on your pic of the building, very nice by the way, I think you do not have any wieght issues. If it were me and if the rafters are exposed I would have a collar bracket made where it could be through bolted on the rafter with an eye hook the sign could hang on.

yeah, unfortunately the rafters are no longer exposed. if they were, the thru-bolt idea would be best.

lag bolt certainly would be a lot easier for me... and now that I think of it, it would only be about 75-100 pounds of pull on each mount, which I think should be pretty safe. and the mounts will have 4 lag bolts each (seen in the pic above).

Ya, you should be ok with lag bolts but then you have to get it up there. Did that in our great room and my butt was sore for a couple days after because of the clincking.

you lost me, lol... the clinking?

Looks like NEW Cement in front of the shop! You could have poured a gas pump island to one side at the same time! Lookin good!

You'll be there no matter how we spell it, beleive me. Going up it had my undivided attention including all of my body parts.

im going the easy route, renting a scissor lift.

just weighed the sign, its only 120 lbs... im feeling more comfortable with lag bolts now

thanks Kevin... just had 23-yds of concrete poured in front of the garage. it was a long time coming... no more wheeling pumps thru gravel! that sucked!