Use a wire cutter to make the hangers.
A drop ceiling, also known as a suspended ceiling, is a series of interlocked brackets designed to support lightweight ceiling panels. This gridwork can't support the weight of the ceiling panels, or even its own weight for that matter. Support wires are required to hold the gridwork in place. These hanger wires are secured to the ceiling joists overhead and to the brackets to form a strong and dependable gridwork.
Instructions
1. Once all the perimeter wall brackets are installed, measure 4 feet from one wall and mark this location on the overhead joists. Repeat this every 4 feet across the room. These will be the locations for the "T" brackets. Be certain to measure at several points to ensure the lines are straight.
2. Drill a pilot hole every 3 feet along each of the lines you made. The pilot hole should be smaller than the eye bolt you will be installing, and approximately 3 inches deep. The pilot hole will make installation easier and will help prevent splitting.
3. Insert an eye bolt into the pilot hole. Insert the screwdriver through the opening in the eye bolt and use the screwdriver to turn it. Continue to turn the bolt until the it is fully installed in the overhead joist. Repeat this procedure at each pilot hole
4. Measure from the bottom of the eye bolt to the approximate location for the bracket. Cut pieces of hanger wire that are 12 inches longer than the bolt-to-bracket length. Cut one wire for each of the eye bolts you've installed.
5. Insert the hanger wire through the eye bolt, allowing 4 to 6 inches to protrude. Hand twist the loose end of the wire around the section of wire below the eye bolt. Use pliers to secure it by twisting it as tightly as possible.
6. Install the first row of T brackets. Each section of bracket should be 10 feet long. Have someone help you hold it in place as you thread the lower ends of the wire through the pre-drilled holes in the brackets. Place a level on the bracket and tighten the hanger wires until the bracket is in the proper position. Continue to work your way across the room until all hanger wires are attached and tightly in place.
7. Double-check all brackets to be certain they are level. Tighten or loosen the hanger wires as needed to make the final adjustments. The wires should be tight with no slack. The added weight of the ceiling panels will pull loose hanger wires tight and make the grid crooked. If this occurs, you can remove the ceiling panels in the affected areas and make the needed adjustments to the hanger wires.
Tags: hanger wires, pilot hole, ceiling panels, across room, brackets certain
