I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

Thanks for your input.

Janis

Janis wrote:

I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

"Is there an easy way..."

Short answer: No.


Jim

On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 11:45:59 -0700, Janis wrote:

I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

Thanks for your input.

Janis

If the attic is above the room, reroute the wire into 3 seperate boxes for
a very neat look.

Depending on how the joists run, you could fish the wire between joists to
the new locations.

In alt.home.repair on Sun, 17 Oct 2004 19:22:51 -0500 pet
posted:

On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 11:45:59 -0700, Janis wrote:

I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

Thanks for your input.

Janis

If the attic is above the room, reroute the wire into 3 seperate boxes for
a very neat look.

Depending on how the joists run, you could fish the wire between joists to
the new locations.

They also make flexible drill bits, so that if one really wants to, he
could insert the bit into the hole and bend it to drill a hole through
the joist. (There is also a tool sold to keep the bit bent when
drilling. I didn't find it very valuable, but if I had an assistant,
maybe it would work better.) The bit has a hole at each end to use
for pulling a wire or string through. Once the light wire is through,
use it to pull the romex.

Phone and burglar alarm supply stores have these bits. I think I paid
30 dollars for a 6 foot one 20 years ago, but I used it several times
for things I could not have done otherwise. Later, since I'm not good
at sharpening bits, I bought a 3 or 4 foot bit. Eventually I will
sharpen, or get someone else to, the 6 foot bit. (it won't fit in the
little jig I bought.)

Phone installation manuals show how to use two snakes (or maybe a
snake and a some heavy wire), one to hook the other, so you could
drill a blind hole into the space between the next two joists, or the
second and third joist even, and send a snake down from the opening
you make for your next pendant to catch the first snake and pull it
through to you. You can also get ceiling junction boxes that can be
attached between two joists from the hole in the ceiling. An
electrical supply house should have these, although I've only seen
them in the occasional good or big hardware store.

Meirman
If emailing, please let me know whether
or not you are posting the same letter.

Change domain to erols.com, if necessary.

pet wrote in message ...
On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 11:45:59 -0700, Janis wrote:

I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

Thanks for your input.

Janis

If the attic is above the room, reroute the wire into 3 separate boxes for
a very neat look.

Depending on how the joists run, you could fish the wire between joists to
the new locations.

Unfortunately it's a condominium/apartment type of building. No attic.
Just upstairs neighbors. Good idea though. Keep 'em coming.

Janis

Consider a "track" on the ceiling. Attach track connectors to all pendant
cords. Gives you some flexibility in placement. Also allows you to easily
change lamp styles in the future.
"Janis" wrote in message
om...
I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

Thanks for your input.

Janis

meirman wrote in message . ..
In alt.home.repair on Sun, 17 Oct 2004 19:22:51 -0500 pet
posted:

On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 11:45:59 -0700, Janis wrote:

I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

Thanks for your input.

Janis

If the attic is above the room, reroute the wire into 3 seperate boxes for
a very neat look.

Depending on how the joists run, you could fish the wire between joists to
the new locations.

They also make flexible drill bits, so that if one really wants to, he
could insert the bit into the hole and bend it to drill a hole through
the joist. (There is also a tool sold to keep the bit bent when
drilling. I didn't find it very valuable, but if I had an assistant,
maybe it would work better.) The bit has a hole at each end to use
for pulling a wire or string through. Once the light wire is through,
use it to pull the romex.

Phone and burglar alarm supply stores have these bits. I think I paid
30 dollars for a 6 foot one 20 years ago, but I used it several times
for things I could not have done otherwise. Later, since I'm not good
at sharpening bits, I bought a 3 or 4 foot bit. Eventually I will
sharpen, or get someone else to, the 6 foot bit. (it won't fit in the
little jig I bought.)

Phone installation manuals show how to use two snakes (or maybe a
snake and a some heavy wire), one to hook the other, so you could
drill a blind hole into the space between the next two joists, or the
second and third joist even, and send a snake down from the opening
you make for your next pendant to catch the first snake and pull it
through to you. You can also get ceiling junction boxes that can be
attached between two joists from the hole in the ceiling. An
electrical supply house should have these, although I've only seen
them in the occasional good or big hardware store.

Meirman

Sounds like a great tool. Thanks. But unfortunately, I'm in an
apartment style condo, without an attic, just an upstairs neighbor...
Janis

"Janis" wrote in message
om...
I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

Thanks for your input.

Janis

"Joe Fabeitz" wrote in message ...
Consider a "track" on the ceiling. Attach track connectors to all pendant
cords. Gives you some flexibility in placement. Also allows you to easily
change lamp styles in the future.

That's the solution I figured I would have to use, but the problem is
that I don't like how those track connectors look, if they are the
ones I have in mind. Maybe now I'm looking for ideas more
design-related than how-to. I'm just not crazy about how those metal
or plastic tracks look. Any creative people out there?

Thanks.

Janis

"Janis" wrote in message
om...
"Janis" wrote in message
om...
I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

(snip)
Consider a "track" on the ceiling. Attach track connectors to all
pendant
cords. Gives you some flexibility in placement. Also allows you to
easily
change lamp styles in the future.

That's the solution I figured I would have to use, but the problem is
that I don't like how those track connectors look, if they are the
ones I have in mind. Maybe now I'm looking for ideas more
design-related than how-to. I'm just not crazy about how those metal
or plastic tracks look. Any creative people out there?

In a condo, your choices are limited. Maybe a disk attached to ceiling, the
diameter of the circle of lights you want to hang? Hanging down an inch or
two, with a recess around the outside edge to create a shadow line, and hide
any unevenness in the joint with the ceiling? You could make the disk out of
pretty much any wood for the frame, and skin the bottom with decent plywood,
and paint or stain to suit. Just need to make sure you have some way to
easily detach or open up the disk, for access to the wiring. Some sort of
clips on ceiling into joists, with a big screw into shadow space on one side
so it doesn't fall off the clips, would work. Wish I could draw you a
picture- any good trim carpenter could knock it out in an hour or two. Just
run the wires from existing junction box to where you want the lights, and
fasten them through plywood with strain reliefs.

aem sends...

In article , Janis wrote:

That's the solution I figured I would have to use, but the problem is
that I don't like how those track connectors look, if they are the
ones I have in mind. Maybe now I'm looking for ideas more
design-related than how-to. I'm just not crazy about how those metal
or plastic tracks look. Any creative people out there

If this is a condo, it's probably new enough to have plasterboard ceilings.
It'd be a little work, but you could cut a foot wide by however many feet
long piece out of the ceiling, put up the electrical boxes for the hanging
lamps and replace the wallboard. Spackle, sand and repaint the ceiling.

It sounds difficult, but it's not really that bad. You could pay a handy-
man to do the electrical and wallboard work, and repaint the ceiling
yourself.

THIS is the answer to a girl asking: "Is there an EASY way ?"


They also make flexible drill bits, so that if one really wants to, he
could insert the bit into the hole and bend it to drill a hole through
the joist. (There is also a tool sold to keep the bit bent when
drilling. I didn't find it very valuable, but if I had an assistant,
maybe it would work better.) The bit has a hole at each end to use
for pulling a wire or string through. Once the light wire is through,
use it to pull the romex.

Phone and burglar alarm supply stores have these bits. I think I paid
30 dollars for a 6 foot one 20 years ago, but I used it several times
for things I could not have done otherwise. Later, since I'm not good
at sharpening bits, I bought a 3 or 4 foot bit. Eventually I will
sharpen, or get someone else to, the 6 foot bit. (it won't fit in the
little jig I bought.)

Phone installation manuals show how to use two snakes (or maybe a
snake and a some heavy wire), one to hook the other, so you could
drill a blind hole into the space between the next two joists, or the
second and third joist even, and send a snake down from the opening
you make for your next pendant to catch the first snake and pull it
through to you. You can also get ceiling junction boxes that can be
attached between two joists from the hole in the ceiling. An
electrical supply house should have these, although I've only seen
them in the occasional good or big hardware store.

That's the solution I figured I would have to use, but the problem is
that I don't like how those track connectors look, if they are the
ones I have in mind. Maybe now I'm looking for ideas more
design-related than how-to. I'm just not crazy about how those metal
or plastic tracks look. Any creative people out there?

Bury the track in a cast plaster ornamental "medallion".

Ed Clarke wrote in message ...
In article , Janis wrote:

I want to hang a group of 3 or 5 pendant lighting fixtures over a
dining room table. There is wiring in the center of the ceiling where
the current fixture is (this would be replaced by the pendants).

Is there an easy way to hang each of the pendants independently and
straight into the ceiling, instead of having a metal bar covering the
cords as they run along the ceiling into that center outlet?

BTW, it's an apartment-style condo with neighbors upstairs.

If this is a condo, it's probably new enough to have plasterboard ceilings.
It'd be a little work, but you could cut a foot wide by however many feet
long piece out of the ceiling, put up the electrical boxes for the hanging
lamps and replace the wallboard. Spackle, sand and repaint the ceiling.

It sounds difficult, but it's not really that bad. You could pay a handy-
man to do the electrical and wallboard work, and repaint the ceiling
yourself.

Ed,
Thanks for faith in my painting skills. It sounds like a good
solution. Just have to find the right handyman.
Janis

" wrote in message ...
That's the solution I figured I would have to use, but the problem is
that I don't like how those track connectors look, if they are the
ones I have in mind. Maybe now I'm looking for ideas more
design-related than how-to. I'm just not crazy about how those metal
or plastic tracks look. Any creative people out there?

Bury the track in a cast plaster ornamental "medallion".

I love that idea! I can picture what you're talking about but can't
quite figure out what type of store would sell those. I'm in L.A.
though, so it should be easy to track down I guess.

Janis