A Different Type Of Ring Mounting Question

[Debra Rainer]

Hi

I have a freespotter hooked up in my Co-Op top floor of 6 stories. It's attached to finished ceiling ( Wooden Joists ) and works great.

I'm buying rings (Not sure of Brand yet) and want to use my existing mount for the Rings that I use for my free spotter.

I checked alot of posts here and other forums on how to mount Rings
to a finished ceiling. It seems it's really the same but one difference.

I notice people are using a 2x4 attached to 3 or 4 ceiling joist to spread the load. My set up (Freespotter) is also attached to 4 joists but I don't use a 2x4 ..it's a metal rail 60 inches long. (See pic below)

Would it be OK to attach Rings to this existing rail or do you think the
rail is to narrow and won't spread the load properly being it's not a 2x4.

Or should I just install another steel rail ..if yes ...would it still be OK
being it's not a 2x4 .

My main concern is the spread of the load as Ring movement is a little different that bench pressing being it's not a 2x4 .


http://www.shermworks.com/xxfcinst.JPG(WFS)
The barbell (45lbs)when not in use is swung/pull back (No weights of course)and sits on 2 hooks that I have in the side wall to keep it out of the way hanging.

[Debra Rainer]

OK lets put it this way....Does spreading the load have more to do with the length of the material being used or the width ?

The steel rail is 60 " and the wood plank is 60 " .

The steel rail is 1 inch and the wood is 4"

Both are attached to 4 joist so which is better when it comes to spreading the load . One is steel and one is wood with different widths but same length.

[Matt Haxmeier]

This is a little confusing. So let me explain what I think and you can see how it applies. I built a pullup bar attached via 2x6 to 4 joists similar to what you mentioned.

There are a couple different points of failure in one of these systems.

1. The point at which the board/rail is attached to the ceiling. If you are spanning the same distance with the same number of bolts into joists then you should be getting an equivalent strength connection there. i.e. whether it's a rail or stud it's still 8 lag screws going into 8 joists so it's the same.

2. The point at which the rings/bar connect to the rail/board. If you are using the same types of bolts to bolt the rings/bar to the rail/board then you will have the same strength. What do you use to connect your rings to the rail/board? You need to be sure that those eye hooks/bolts are rated for much more than the weight you are to allow for kipping.

3. The actual material your using to screw into (the rail or the board itself). You describe the steel as 1". How thick? Steel should be stronger than the wood given it's thick enough. I assume since it's made for benching then it should be very strong. And since they are spanning the same distance with the same screws (see point 1) then they should be fine.

But, since it's 1" wide you should be wary of how thick the screws you use are. Are there already holes or hooks? If the screws are enormous and you have to drill a 3/4" hole then you are not using a 1" wide piece of steel (it's effectively 1/4" and probably won't work then).

Or are you asking if you can put the rings on there with whatever else is on there?

[Debra Rainer]

WOW great post and I understand everything you wrote..well done !

You answered my question whether it's a rail or stud it's still 8 lag screws going into 8 joists so it's the same and safe.


Now.. I only know what the length and width of the steel rail which is 60 by 1 inch. I do not know the thickness.

I also don't know what size the Lag screws are..I don't remember as it's been awhile since it's been up but it works and seems safe. Not Like I'll be benching 300 lbs so that's not a problem.

You also wrote and glad you did because I didn't take that into account if I decide to put up another steel rail I better have the right size lag screws or a bigger steel rail. Thanks " If the screws are enormous and you have to drill a 3/4" hole then you are not using a 1" wide piece of steel (it's effectively 1/4" and probably won't work then). "

Yes the steel rail that's up is for benching .

Now that I know it's strong enough as it is if I were to take off the benching equipment and attach the Rings ..Thanks. I was concerned because there would be somewhat of a different movement on it as oppose to the benching equipment.

But..how about this question...

If I were to add 2 more eye hooks to the existing setup would that weaken the steel rail itself providing I insert the proper size eye hooks ?

I rather not have to climb a ladder each time I want to change to Rings and then back to the Bench set up. I rather have 2 eye hooks setup for each bringing a total of 4.

Being that I'm removing more steel on a one inch rail I'm wondering if that's a wise idea .

Thanks so very much for your time

Originally Posted by Matt Haxmeier

This is a little confusing. So let me explain what I think and you can see how it applies. I built a pullup bar attached via 2x6 to 4 joists similar to what you mentioned.

There are a couple different points of failure in one of these systems.

1. The point at which the board/rail is attached to the ceiling. If you are spanning the same distance with the same number of bolts into joists then you should be getting an equivalent strength connection there. i.e. whether it's a rail or stud it's still 8 lag screws going into 8 joists so it's the same.

2. The point at which the rings/bar connect to the rail/board. If you are using the same types of bolts to bolt the rings/bar to the rail/board then you will have the same strength. What do you use to connect your rings to the rail/board? You need to be sure that those eye hooks/bolts are rated for much more than the weight you are to allow for kipping.

3. The actual material your using to screw into (the rail or the board itself). You describe the steel as 1". How thick? Steel should be stronger than the wood given it's thick enough. I assume since it's made for benching then it should be very strong. And since they are spanning the same distance with the same screws (see point 1) then they should be fine.

But, since it's 1" wide you should be wary of how thick the screws you use are. Are there already holes or hooks? If the screws are enormous and you have to drill a 3/4" hole then you are not using a 1" wide piece of steel (it's effectively 1/4" and probably won't work then).

Or are you asking if you can put the rings on there with whatever else is on there?

[Matt Haxmeier]

I'm glad I could help. It actually got me thinking about my own rings. I've had them hanging from my homemade pullup bar at home but they weren't tall enough for a muscle up. So on the way home I stopped by home depot and got some 3/4" eye screws. Each is rated at over 300lbs. I put them 18" apart into a joist in my garage after drilling pilot holes. They're still too low but at least they are high enough now to do a muscle up on if I kneel...only my third muscle up ever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCi3l3-6knI (WFS)

I think using those eye screws don't put much torque on the eye screws unlike a pullup bar with kipping. I would definitely go with eye screws before I would drill holes in your existing apparatus, not knowing how it was designed and all. Patching up 2 little holes wouldn't be bad either.

You could put up the rings and then just pull them/hang them out of the way when not in use. I don't know if you have rings already but I think the new EXF rings have a very long strap.

I also picked up some little velcro tabs to help keep the dangling strap out of my way. I put one part of velcro on the dangling end of the strap itself and one on the wall/ceiling to stick it too. It was a productive night.