Hanging in Garage

[booone0]

Quick question: My rented house has a garage with unfinished walls - the supports (about 1 every 2 feet) are exposed and there's only a thin wall with no insulation separating outside from inside. Say I were to find two holes in the supports around the middle of the beam (both vertically and horizontally) right across the garage from each other.. Could I slip some thin cord (7/64") through and hang from it? My cold garage would be perfect to test my hammock setup.

I'm 150# and they're about 15-20 feet apart.

I haven't found these holes yet, but if I did...think I'd be risking damaging anything?

[BOB1520]

I have a similar setup in my basement. I use large eyebolts Screw, from lowes or home depot. Just pre-drill your hole slightly smaller than the bolt and then screw them in. When you move out just fill the holes with woodputty or bondo. Just make sure you get eye bolts that have a high weight rating. I think I bought 1200lb or something like that. It holds my 175lb body.

[JerryW]

I hang in my garage when I'm testing new projects. The walls are drywalled, but I just found the studs, drilled a pilot hole and screwed in some BIG screw eyes(3/8" shank).

Normally, a 2x4 would probably be a bit weak, but with the sheathing on the outside tying everything together it really helps the strength. At least, I haven't pulled the wall down yet!


Jerry

[booone0]

Cool. I think I'll make a trip to home depot today. Just measured, garage is about 20' wide and supports are 14" apart.

I doubt anyone would notice even if I left them in, as that garage is pretty trashed with ghetto cabinets and such.

[ice man]

Before you go... I suggest stainless eye bolt screws. I bent regular 1/4 inch eyebolts open out in the yard, but use 1/4 in. stainless in the garage with no ill effect.

[GW Sears]

The strength problem is not stainless vs steel. It's open vs forged eyes.

Compare these two tables:
http://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-in...ad-Limits.aspx

http://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-in...ad-Limits.aspx

Also note the comments about angular pull. You might want to drill the holes at a 30 degree angle from the horizontal.

[oldgringo]

Also note the comments about angular pull. You might want to drill the holes at a 30 degree angle from the horizontal.

Good info...thanks for that.

[Shewie]

I have a couple of heavy duty versions of these in my cellar ...

http://www.e-hardware.co.uk/acatalog...e_on_plate.jpg

I have solid brick walls so it was a case of drilling and plugging but they've held out really well so far.

My cellar is underground so it permanently cool down there, great for trying out new setups.

[gargoyle]

boooone0, if you cant find any holes, or you want a different option,...

Wrap your straps above to the rafter(s), and hang from those. You can strap directly to one rafter, or go at a right angle and hang from two individual rafters. Adding an extra 2x4 or 4x4 or a pipe, above the rafters will disperse the weight better. Spanning more rafters, would be my suggestion. Your straps could be left attached, and just undo the hammock, when the garage space is needed.

This is an idea, tho. Without actually seeing your garage and how well its constructed, I can't say it will or will not work. Not all structures are created equal.
just an idea, ymmv.

[booone0]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I went to home depot and the best I could do was some swing hardware. States that its safe working load is 150#. I am guessing that I will be safe if I drill the pilot at about 30 degrees and get in gently...I will have pads beneath to be safe. Cement is hard in my experience I think that since it has a safe working limit set for that weight swinging from a 7 foot chain, I should be ok simply suspended from them and that if I have a failure its most likely going to happen as I get in.

I figure that for $4 it couldn't hurt (too much) to try.