07-30-2019, 07:02 PM
I've done quite a few of these. The biggest issue is getting the wiring from a switch to the ceiling. But anything is possible. You'll have to cut some holes.
I use a 2ft long half inch drill bit and a 4" hole saw. I cut the 4" hole between each joist (and to cut the holes for the recessed LED lights) and use the 2ft x 1/2" drill to poke a hoes through the joists. Then I use a long, rigid wire to fish a pull string through all the joists. One joist, one hole at a time. It's tedious but it works. I pull the romex through the holes in the joist with the pull string. In the holes dedicated for lights, I drop about 18" of extra wire hanging below the sheetrock to give me plenty of wire to work with.
For the lamps across the room, I just drill a 4" hole and fish the wireacross the room with a fish tape between the joists.
Those lamps shown above have push connectors that will connect three 14/2 romex wires. One id the line power, one goes to the next light and the other one can go across the room to a lamp between the same joists.
These are the exact same lights we put in.
Very pleasing light, dimmable. More than happy with the end result.
You'll need to plug the holes in the ceiling. Use the same 4" hole saw in a drill press and cut the plugs out of scrap 1/2" sheetrock. Cut them into 6" squares. One for each plug. Set the depth on your drill press so the hole saw stops just short of going through the paper. Mark the center of the square and cut your plug. Score the back side paper on the sheetrock plugs and break it away from the plug. This will leave a paper flange. Butter the edge of the plug with joint compound and butter around the inside of the hole and stick it in the hole. Use a 4 or 6" mud knife and press the paper flange into the mod and pull the excess out from the center. The mud will hold it in place. Don't over work it or squeeze out too much mud or it won't stay in place or the paper will wrinkle. Once it's dry, feather out with compound and sand.
I can take a couple pics of what I'm talking about if you want or if my description stinks.
I've got 11 of these things in our new kitchen done this way. I pulled wire from an existing box where a hanging lamp was for some. Two sets are on new switches where I had to open up the sheetrock on the wall, near the ceiling above the switch to feed wire into the ceiling.
I use a 2ft long half inch drill bit and a 4" hole saw. I cut the 4" hole between each joist (and to cut the holes for the recessed LED lights) and use the 2ft x 1/2" drill to poke a hoes through the joists. Then I use a long, rigid wire to fish a pull string through all the joists. One joist, one hole at a time. It's tedious but it works. I pull the romex through the holes in the joist with the pull string. In the holes dedicated for lights, I drop about 18" of extra wire hanging below the sheetrock to give me plenty of wire to work with.
For the lamps across the room, I just drill a 4" hole and fish the wireacross the room with a fish tape between the joists.
Those lamps shown above have push connectors that will connect three 14/2 romex wires. One id the line power, one goes to the next light and the other one can go across the room to a lamp between the same joists.
These are the exact same lights we put in.
Very pleasing light, dimmable. More than happy with the end result.
You'll need to plug the holes in the ceiling. Use the same 4" hole saw in a drill press and cut the plugs out of scrap 1/2" sheetrock. Cut them into 6" squares. One for each plug. Set the depth on your drill press so the hole saw stops just short of going through the paper. Mark the center of the square and cut your plug. Score the back side paper on the sheetrock plugs and break it away from the plug. This will leave a paper flange. Butter the edge of the plug with joint compound and butter around the inside of the hole and stick it in the hole. Use a 4 or 6" mud knife and press the paper flange into the mod and pull the excess out from the center. The mud will hold it in place. Don't over work it or squeeze out too much mud or it won't stay in place or the paper will wrinkle. Once it's dry, feather out with compound and sand.
I can take a couple pics of what I'm talking about if you want or if my description stinks.
I've got 11 of these things in our new kitchen done this way. I pulled wire from an existing box where a hanging lamp was for some. Two sets are on new switches where I had to open up the sheetrock on the wall, near the ceiling above the switch to feed wire into the ceiling.
