How to Install a Hanger Wire for a Suspended Ceiling

If you want to create a suspended ceiling, hang wire from threaded eye lag screws and attach them to the metal grid. Use screws that you can insert into wood or up to 16-gauge aluminum joists when hanging the wire. A few specialty tools, such as an extension pole and connectors, will come in handy when installing hanging wire. The connectors attach to the end of the extension pole and allow you to thread lag screws and wire into the ceiling.

Electric drill
Extension pole tool
Slotted adapter tool
Eye lag screws
18-gauge hanger wire
Safety glasses

Instructions

- 1
  Attach the pole tool to the electric drill's chuck and lock it into place. Hold the pole up to the ceiling and adjust its height if it is set too short or long. Thread the adapter onto the end of the pole tool for the eye lag screws
- 2
  Turn the lag screw upside down and slip the slotted end into the tip of the pole tool. Slide the end of the ceiling wire between the slots that align with the lag screw eyehole. Feed 8 to 10 inches of wire through the lag screw and pole tool slot. Bend the ends down so that they lay flush against the pole tool shaft.
- 3
  Raise the end of the pole tool up to the ceiling at the location where you'll thread the screws in. Push on the back of the drill firmly and turn the power on to thread the hanger screw into the ceiling material.
- 4
  Stop threading once the lag screw base reaches the ceiling material.
- 5
  Pull the pole down 4 to 5 inches so that just the wire is inside the pole tool slot. Twist the wire around itself by turning on the drill. Pull the pole tool down so that the long end of the wire feeds completely through the slot at the top. Continue to the next spot where you'll hang a wire and repeat the process.

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