I’ve got quite a bit of drop-ceiling work to do, and am looking to save a few bucks.
By drops I mean the kind of soffits that come down over kitchen wall cabs, but in the case of this house, they are all over the place.
My normal technique is to build a frame surround of 2x4s, then “ladder” in between with more 2x4s on 16″ centers. In the simplest installation, and typical, the “ladder” is lifted up, ends and sides are spiked to the studs of walls it adjoins, and the free edge is held by a piece of OSB that is spiked to a 2×4 cleat stuck to the ceiling joists or truss chords that make the ceiling.
Basically, I’ve got a lot of real-short-span 2×4 up there in the air supporting only gypboard and a couple light fixtures. A lot of timber for what is basically a nailer.
The large quantity of drops in this place I am planning, has my 2x4x8 count up close to 300 pieces, and I am thinking of using 2x3s instead of 2x4s. One of my yards stocks them in SPF.
I’ve never used any. Wonder if they are reasonably straight.
Before you suggest 2-1/2″ steel studs and track, have you priced any lately? China must be sucking up all our steel! Wow! What prices!
Replies
last i saw, 2x3 were more exp. than 2x4s..I'd be thinking steel at that point.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Restoring, Remodeling, Reclaiming The Quality..
For that kind of work I've been ripping 2x4 and 2x6 in half, atleast I get one straight edge
.........Rik......
Last spring the locak Lowes had them cheaper and much better than the 2x4's.
The 2x2's that they had would be rejected for kinling. They where finger jointed, but at that they have 30 degree bows in them.
I've made boxes using 2x2 with 1/2 plywood on the front and bottom. Make them 1/2" shy for the drywall. Leave the front piece off so you can mount them.
Glue/screw the drywall.
Edited 3/1/2005 8:22 pm ET by Lenny
1 5/8" metal.
6 16 17 97 99
we use a lot of furring and plywood for cabinet soffits
I also go with the 2x2s and plywood. attach 2x2 to ceiling attach another 2x2 to the edge of a rip of 3/8 plywood hold up to level line and shoot on to the ceiling 2x2
put a spacer in as needed - screw rock to 2x2s - add 2x2 ledger to wall if needed or hang another plywood rip for soffets that hang in the middle of the room
works well for me - I usually screw 2x2 to ceiling and then shoot plywood to 2x2s with 1/2" crown staples