How do some of you install a ceiling fan box in an existing house, when working by yourself? The kind where you have to install a piece of wood in the attic, and screw the box to the wood. I have problems getting the box flush with the ceiling, and level. I have tried masking tape on the ceiling to keep the box in place while I go in the attic and position my piece of wood, but the tape don't stick well enough, and plus it may damage the ceiling texture. It would be nice if they would make a box that could be temporarily positioned in place, and strong enough to hold til it could be secured in the attic. I know with a helper this wouldn't be a problem. He could tell when the box in flush while the other one nails in the attic. But I can't seem to come up with an idea at this time. Any help would be appreciated. Steve...

I'm afraid that I don't recall the name of the manufacturer, but there is a company that makes a box & support that can actually be installed through the 4" hole in the ceiling without making any trips into the attic.

Otherwise, try this, rip or plane a 2x2 to a thickness of 1" (when dealing with 1/2" drywall). Lay 2 pieces of this 1" thick material on the top of the drywall on either side of the hole in the ceiling. Lay a 2x4 flat on the 1" spacers. Run 3" long drywall screws through the joists or trusses to secure the 2x4 in place. Poke wire through the hole, go downstairs & install the wire into the box, push box through the hole & secure to the 2x4. Hang fan. Crack open a cold, you've earned it.

Tom

I just put a fan in my bedroom last weekend. I used a fan bracket box right to the side of the joist. I think it may have been RACO or Appleton. The box is sunk below the bracket 1/2 inch so I just rested it on the drywall from above and drilled my pilot holes and ran the screws.

The only reason I used a deep bracket was because I needed a box to feed my new cans from, otherwise I prefer pancake. Most of the time a joist is within an acceptable distance to center to just hit a joist. Buzz a holesaw and done. 1/2" box flushes itself.

Here is what I have been using lately, They available at most parts places also. A little more expensive than 2x4's and nails but it pays for itself with the time saved
http://www.azpartsmaster.com/shopazp/Ceiling+Fan+Braces+(RAC100).html

Rich, haven't you ever had those pop the nail heads in the drywall? I've never used them them, but when I first saw them, the first thing I thought was that it would probably pop the nail or scew heads as it pried the joists apart.

Thanks for the replies. As far as the box with the supports that screw into the joist without going into the attic, I've never had to much confidence in them. Don't look like there's enough of the "spike" that goes into the joist to hold good enough, although I know they're UL approved. Just seem to be afraid to trust them. Tom, the suggestion you made, makes sense, seeing that the fan box I am talking about is 1 1/2 inches deep. I wish I would have thought of that earlier today. I had a time with 3 fan boxes in an old rewire I was doing must have been the heat and insulation Thanks again.. Steve

I've used lots like the ones Rick is showing and they work great. They are also great for larger fixtures as they will hold up to around 150lbs of static load.

I had one of my smaller helpers try it out and it held him. Unfortunately my belly exceeds the specs on it

If it's between the joists, I use a method similar to Tom's, but use 2 pieces of 1/2" drywall for the 1" scrap. I've tried those bars like Rich & they were a time consuming PITA. If it's near a joist I use a HD bracket box against the joist, and if it centers on the joist I use a ceiling fan pan.

Dave

I've probably installed 50 of the box type Rich linked to, with no problem ever. They're available from the orange and blue stores for about the same price as AZP.

Have you ever used them? They work great. You can practically hang on the bar it grabs so tight.

So what's the problem? I do it the "old fashioned" way...use a 4-square box with a (round) mud ring appropriate to the drywall. I cut the hole, go to the attic, set the 2x4 in place over the box, then return below to anchor the box. With luck :-) tha't my only attic trip.

I use the Westinghouse version of the twist in place brace and it comes with a 2 in deep box. After I set the brace I give a quick hang on the bar and have never had one move.

reno, is that 4 inch square and mud ring approved for ceiling fans? Steve..

This looks like the same thing Rich linked to. If it the same they are built like tanks.
http://www.passandseymour.com/pdf/P02.pdf