What is the best way to anchor a drop ceiling. Walls are block and ceiling is concrete
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Powder actuated pin gun. Try Hilti.
Sorry this should have been to patrick, can not copy and do not feel like retyping.
What Mike said. Unless you only have a very small job do not consider any of the hammer actuated types. A friend gave me one and it is a royal pain. Also get some ear muff type hearing protection, it is amazing how loud those little .22 cartridges are. I am sure Hilti is probably the best but the Remingtons are generally more affordable/findable. For the interior supports Tapcons would be an option. I would consider making some short lengths of plumbers iron, perf. strapping. Either powder act. nail it or tapcon it to ceiling for your wire hangers.
If you don't want to use a powder gun, another option would be to anchor steel tracks (something like perforated angle iron) to the ceiling with conventional drilled-in anchors, then hang the ceiling from the tracks. Run the tracks perpendictular to the main Tees.
Everyone jumps at the chance to use PADs, but they are not the only option here. I have installed thousands of sq. ft. of drop ceiling in commercial buildings with block walls. We have used case hardened drive pins designed for attaching wall mold to block for most installs. Just drive them in the motar joints with a 16-20 oz hanner. We have also used redhead anchors and screws on small jobs that had poured concrete walls.
Drive pins for ceiling grid wall mold are generally available at any good commercial ceiling material supply house. You probably won't find them at the big box stores. You will find that they are cheaper and as fast as PAD fastening.
If you do use a powder activated device, I would recommend Hilti. I know they have eye bolt hangers that can be shot to the ceiling for you wires. I don't know if the other manufacturers of PADs have them available for thier guns.
The same type of eyebolt hangers are also available as a drive-in type quick anchor bolt. For a small job, we would break out the hammer drill and a handfull of dive in eyebolts with a 1/4 masonary bit. Cost per fastener is about the same as the Hilti, so it's a matter of scale. When you get over 1000 sq.ft. PADs win the economic battle by saving labor.
Go visit a commercial drop ceiling supply house, and check out all of your options. They have already faced every challenge you are likely to see, and have a solution on the shelf.
Dave
Edited 3/5/2004 12:25:06 PM ET by DAVERICHESON
Thank you for your help