How should I hang a 35 lb pool table light from my ceiling?

Question

I recently purchased a used pool table and light from an auction. I didn't realize how heavy the lighting fixture was until after I got it home. There are three glass refraction globes that weight 8 pounds each. The total weight of the lighting is about 35 pounds. There are three metal hanging chains on the main rod to hang from.

I need to hang this above my pool table. The ceiling height shouldn't be an issue, but I'm worried about the weight. I have access to the attic, as it's going in my house. I was thinking about placing some 2x4's across the joists in the ceiling and then using some threaded rods to extend down past the ceiling. I assume I can find some hooks or something to screw onto the ends of the threaded rods. Then I can use the chains on the light to hang on the hooks.

I'm really not sure what the best approach is for hanging this light. If anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated. I don't want to make large holes in my ceiling. I also want to damage my ceiling or cause sagging.

EDIT: Adding photo. I should also note that, I already have one electric box mounted in the ceiling (with power), but it is not centered to the pool table. It's about 3 ft away. I was thinking of running the power to the current box. Maybe I should just mount a new fixture and move the existing power to it.

EDIT 2: I may be missing some mounting parts.

Answer 1

You could definitely design and build structure in the attic, get threaded rods, etc., that would support this light fixture, but it would be 10 or 100 times easier to get a proper ceiling fan rated box that would do the job. In this case get one that is rated for 70 lb.

You evidently don't have the instructions for this particular fixture and may not have all the mounting parts. Generic mounting parts would probably work, but would have to be mounting parts rated for a light fixture like this and not just metal brackets that "look like" they would do the job. Go online and get instructions for this particular fixture.

EDIT

If this fixture is designed to be suspended from more than one mounting point, then simpler mountings could be used because weight would be distributed. If the fixture that is 3 ft away is controlled a wall switch and you want to use that switch for the pool table light, then that would be a much easier install. You could run a 14/2 + gnd cable (if this is a 15-A circuit but 12/2 if this is a 20-A circuit) in the attic from the existing light to a new box for the new fixture.

I would imagine that two suspension points would be sufficient and these could be 24 inches apart on adjacent joists. If so, then fairly ordinary hooks could be screwed into the joists to support the fixture and one standard electrical box placed suitably for the wiring connection. In this type of installation the box would not be used for suspension.

EDIT

You use decorative hooks like these if the chain or a carabiner at the end is large enough to go over the hook oil rubbed bronze swag hooks and you wanted a finished look or you could use heavy steel hooks for a more industrial functional look.

EDIT

Some hooks that I like are decorative hooks but there are many choices. You could even drape a wire from the other fixture under the ceiling and have a connection in shallow surface mounted box, a so called "pancake box" which could just be attached to the surface of the ceiling with screws into plastic anchors since in this installation it would not be used to support the fixture but only the chain through which the wire would be intertwined. But honesty it looks a lot better to have the wiring hidden.

Answer 2

Since you have access from above, you can install a new work ceiling fan box or chandelier box. Both are designed to carry heavy loads. Fan boxes are designed to carry loads which are also vibrating.

"New work" boxes are designed to be used when you have relatively good access to the ceiling joists. "Old work" boxes are designed to be retrofit installed through the 3.5" diameter junction box hole. They are not as strong because they are a design compromise. Use a new-work box if able.

Answer 3

It depends on the material of your ceiling. If it is concrete, use concrete anchors for maximum strength, you could use a relatively thin concrete anchor to minimize the size of the holes to drill. If your ceiling is wood, use a lag bolt screwed into a into a beam, this will need to be thicker than a concrete anchor for the same load. If it is drywall, ideally a attaching the light to a beam is best, however, if no beam is available, toggle bolts may be sufficient.

Do check the specifications of the bolts you want to use to see if they are up to the load. It also looks like you can attach the light in three places, which means the load will be divided over three different attachment points.