Light fixture
- Thread starter texan1
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Help Support House Repair Talk:
nealtw
Contractor retired
What kind of fixture do you have now?
It is the one with the long light bulbs it sits in the ceiling not screwed to it if you get what I am saying if not I can take a pic and post. I want to take it down put up some drywall or whatever is best and put one of those pot and pan things that hang that has lights built into it. Thanks
nealtw
Contractor retired
Post a picture of what you and what you want to chage it to.
CallMeVilla
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Your ceiling is probably a 4' tube flourescent. Turn off the power to the light. Remove the light fixture completely and you will discover a round ceiling box with the feed wires. Your new pendant light fixture can be attached to that box, if it is in the right spot (doubtful). If you have to move the ceiling box, it will necessitate some drywall cutting and repair. ANybody locally you can get to help?
I am sure I can get someone local; but I am a little handy and I want to do it myself. Do you think it is above DIY level to where it would be better to pay someone? I will post lifters sometime today to give you guys a better view of what I am talking about. Thanks
CallMeVilla
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It is not too hard but acquiring the "touch" takes time. Get a good "how to" book from Home Depot on electrical stuff.
If you leave the ceiling box and use a swag the pendant light it will be easiest. Just get a cover for the ceiling box (usually white) and a little decorative wire+chain. Use a well anchored ceiling hook and you can hang the pendant without messing with the drywall. Simple to do and your wife will owe you BIG TIME.
If you want to move the box, it gets harder. Things get in the way (ceiling joists) and the existing wiring might not have enough slack to get to the new box. I like "old work" ceiling boxes because you can install them securely -- but you want the fit to be tight, so cutting the drywall should be done carefully. If you can get the wiring to the new box, the pendant light can be relocated. The old box will have to be drywalled . . . if you do not know how, there is a whole new world of repair awaiting you.
Your best bet is to ask friends and friends-of-friends for help. Someone can walk you though all the steps and keep you from messing up the kitchen. My son-in-law is in that category . . . but he has me to re-frame and re-wire his entire kitchen. Oh, and show him how to do bullnosed drywall edges.
Good luck on this new chapter in your life!
If you leave the ceiling box and use a swag the pendant light it will be easiest. Just get a cover for the ceiling box (usually white) and a little decorative wire+chain. Use a well anchored ceiling hook and you can hang the pendant without messing with the drywall. Simple to do and your wife will owe you BIG TIME.
If you want to move the box, it gets harder. Things get in the way (ceiling joists) and the existing wiring might not have enough slack to get to the new box. I like "old work" ceiling boxes because you can install them securely -- but you want the fit to be tight, so cutting the drywall should be done carefully. If you can get the wiring to the new box, the pendant light can be relocated. The old box will have to be drywalled . . . if you do not know how, there is a whole new world of repair awaiting you.
Your best bet is to ask friends and friends-of-friends for help. Someone can walk you though all the steps and keep you from messing up the kitchen. My son-in-law is in that category . . . but he has me to re-frame and re-wire his entire kitchen. Oh, and show him how to do bullnosed drywall edges.
Good luck on this new chapter in your life!
