Expert: Dave Johnson - 3/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dave, I am installing a drop ceiling.  I have installed the wall angles on all 4 walls, what I would like to know is do I run the Tees to the edge of the wall angles or do I lay them right on the the wall angles ledge (having the angle support the end of the tee).
Thanx for any Help
Doug

ANSWER: Hi Doug,
Yes, put them onto the wall angles. But don't depend on them to support a lot of weight. Be sure and use your wires fairly close to the walls.

Best of luck,
Dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dave, I am going nuts here, I bought Armstrong 12' tees and 2'foot tees for 2'X4' ceiling panels.  The part that I completely don't understand is that the 12" tees measure exactly 12' long BUT the slots that accept the crossing tees start about 3" in from the ends.  There are slots every 6" the problem is if I put 3 2'X4" panels that add up to my 12 foot room with the way these slots are I can't get the right configuration with the tees because the slots start 3" in on both ends with throws everything off.  
Thanx for any Help
Doug

Answer
Hi Again Doug,

The reason the slots start at 3" is so that if you have to attach
2 main runners (12' tee's) they would have a 6" space at the joint.

So, measure the length of your room, and take half of that.
(Ex: 10'5"  you'd have 5' 2 1/2" at halfway.)

Then deduct 48" (for the panel length) and you have 14 1/2" left.
So you'll start your main runner out by cutting the end so that you'd have a slot at 14 1/2" from the end. Now you start with that
and add whatever you need to finish the room length.

AND: when figuring where to start from the sidewalls, do the same thing, balance the spacing so that there is an even amount of tile from side to side, as well as the  end to end we just did.

Wow, there i bet I've confused the hell out of you now... mail me back if this makes you crazy...
Dave

P.S.
Send me the EXACT measurements of the room and I'll tell you what to do.............