How to Hang Steel Pipe from Ceiling Joist?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I have a large storage shed, and I want to hang three 50 pound pipes from the ceiling joists inside of this. What is the best way to secure these in a way where I can remove the pipes when I need to use them? I am using the pipes as the structural legs for a lifting tripod, as shown in the photo. Ideally, when I take the tripod apart I want to just find a safe way to secure the pipe out of the way, but in a place that will stay dry.

There are permanent hardware solutions that are designed to wrap around a pipe and fix it to a wood beam. But the ability to quickly take the pipe out of storage is a key requirement for me.

Featured Answer

krnuttle

5 years ago

Is 50 lbs the total or individual weight of the pipes . The weigh will be supported by minimum of 2 or three supports which would make the weight on the individual support proportionally less. 2 support, weight per support 50/2 or 25lbs.

I would think that two of these per pipe would work for your purpose. Specification are up to 75 pounds.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-1-Bike-Black-Steel-Horizontal-Bike-Hook/50218551

There are there considerations. You did not say how your shed is constructed, the material use, or the height of the ceiling. All will affect what kind of system you use. If the attachment points are the joist of a loft, or the roof rafters the above hooks could be screwed in to the joist/rafters, of course the height of the hooks will be a consideration.

There are there considerations. You did not say how your shed is constructed, the material use, or the height of the ceiling. All will affect what kind of system you use. If here the attachment points are the joist of a loft, or the roof rafters the above hooks could be screwed in to the joist/rafters, of course the height of the hooks will be a consideration.

If you are going to be using the rafters, a simple 2x4 attached at the proper angle could be engineered to hold all 4 pipes.

I have used these for wood storage in my small work shop

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Shelf-Support-White-Painted-Steel-12-in-x-10-in-Pack-of-2/1002470956

If the shed is metal then similar but appropriate fittings would have to be used.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Seabornman
5 years ago
You could use a few plumbing j-hooks like these: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-4-in-DWV-J-Hook-Pipe-Hanger-33511/301505420 They are meant for plastic pipe but a 4" pipe full of water weighs more than your pipes.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked Seabornman
Related Professionals
Raleigh Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Waterloo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Champaign Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Alexandria Tile and Stone Contractors · Houma Tile and Stone Contractors · McAllen Tile and Stone Contractors · Tacoma Tile and Stone Contractors · Birmingham Cabinets & Cabinetry · Milwaukee Cabinets & Cabinetry · Everett Cabinets & Cabinetry · Portsmouth Flooring Contractors · Mankato Flooring Contractors · Tampa Home Remodeling · Somerset Bathroom Remodelers · Tulsa Bathroom Remodelers
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
5 years ago
@krnuttle I am saying 50 pounds per pipe to be conservative. I may end up with a 0.250-inch wall DOM pipe at some point, and those are quite beefy. So the total load would be 150 pounds. I have no issue with putting in even four support brackets for each pipe, just to give some redundancy. If there is a pipe storage system where I can slide in three pipes to each support bracket, that works even better.

I will take photos of the shed later and post here.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
5 years ago
Here is a photo of how the shed's roof is constructed.
krnuttle
5 years ago
I must have underestimated the length of the pipes.

Dumb question: The rafters form an A, can you put the pipes in the cross brace? That would be the simplest.

If it were mine. I would build supports on a couple of studs. I would attach a 2X4 perpendicular to the stud, and brace with an angled 2X4 running form the out side end of the perpendicular piece and fasten to the stud below the perpendicular. You may wish to consider a short up right at the end of the perpendicular piece to keep the pipe from rolling off, It would be the cheapest, and support the most weight.

Use a couple of bolts or several nails.

For 150 lbs you would only need to supports.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked krnuttle
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
5 years ago
@krnuttle Along the lines of your idea, four of these brackets might work, although they are intended as snap-on accessories for a storage shelf. They do have holes you could use to mount these into studs. Maybe there are other brands made that are made to mount directly to studs.