Plasterboard Ceiling : Interset or Spring Toggle?

[Heebson]

Hi folks,
after a few searches, I can see this is a popular topic (perhaps a Board Admin could sticky a good thread?), but my question is quite specific.

I have a stud detector (mind of it's own), have traced taping/nailing lines and rapped my knuckles raw on the ceiling, but I'm still unsure that I can easily identify joists (and where I can - they're in the wrong place!), so I going to take the plunge with plasterboard fixings.

I've used the interset ones on walls many times, but I am wondering if the toggle bolts are better as the the load is a "pull" rather than "shear"? I also came across a fixing I've never seen before.....

Interset : http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...09851&id=11143
Toggle : http://www.fwb.co.uk/mall/productpag...WBGroup/436NNH
New to Me : http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...09851&id=36664

Worth mentioning : I cannot get access to the ceiling above; mounting plate doesn't help (if I knew where the joists were...... ;-) ; the celing is 2.3m wide; PJ is an Opt HD72i 3.1 Kg (4 screw mount) and Screen a Grey Wolf 2 9Kg (2 hook fixings)

Many thanks,
Heeb

[thomo99]

why not bite the bullit and make a small hole in the ceiling, enough to get a small light source into, then you can see the centres the timbers at.

or use a small punch and do a series of holes until you find timber, you can easily fill and paint the affected area.

better to fill a ceiling hole rather than have you pj on the floor

[woody67]

For the projector use toggles - anything else may pull/slide out easier. I'm not sure if these would be OK for the 9kg screen though.

But I would be inclined to make a small hole to find the joists, and fit a mounting plate ot timber board - which will then cover the hole

[mrscalex]

Get yourself a drill with a very fine bit and drill around till you feel resistance going in. Drill around a bit more to mark out the width of the joist. The holes will fill easily enough.

Personally I wouldn't use a plasterboard fixing, in fact I think that's quite scary. If the joist falls in the wrong place span 2 joists with a square of MDF or hardboard and secure into that.

[rooo]

I've used toggles on my screen, but the ceiling is lathe and plaster as opposed to plasterboard so the toggles are gripping the nailed on lathes.

I would recommend going the 'testing' route with a very small drill, or bradawl. Worst case is that tou'll end up with a few tiny holes in your ceiling that are easily fillable.

[IronGiant]

Another vote for the fine drill, particularly if you think you might have found a joist with your detector. That's what I did for my screen.

Edit: to answer your question, I'd go for a toggle.

Dave