I am interested in hanging a heavy-bag/swing/aerial yoga bands - but am concerned about hanging from a strong enough beam.
I have tried to read lots about deflections of different material based on span (using span tables) but I am missing some fundamental information that I'm hoping you lot can help me with.
The ceiling rafters are too thin (2x4), and are comprised of a variety joints - I'd prefer not even mess with those. So instead, my thought is to attach 2x6 to the walls, and use joist hangers to support a new set of beams for this project - I just don't know the size of beam that would be needed.
Knowing that I need to span 10', and expect to have a live load (the weight will be swinging) on a single point on the beam, I need to determine the required size to support 200 lbs. Or let's get nutty, say 400 lbs (I assume we can just adjust this variable in the formula once someone helps me understand the formula).
I have read tons of threads that all basically say the same thing - "Go use this calculator!" http://www.awc.org/codes-standards/calculators-software/spancalc The problem is I don't understand the values it wants enough to complete this. The calculator wants me to pick a size & length, which defeats my needs. I know my length, and weight requirements, but not size of the board. (example 2x6, 2x8, 2 - 2x6's bolted together)
I get that the more material that's there, the stronger it will be - but is knowing the info I have enough to use a calculation to determine necessary size?
I'm being recommended 15 other 'similar questions' that I can't seem to piece together an answer for myself, so maybe I need more information before I can determine this, but I'm not clear what other variables those would be based on the information I have read thus far.
Does such an equation exist? Example: Live Load * Distance in inches = X lb/in, where there's then a table of what wood supports by the lb/in that, I can find what would work?