I want to hang a punching bag from my basement ceiling. Need help.?

Question

Hi, I want to hang a punching bag from my basement's ceiling, but I don't know where to drill.
As far as I know, my ceiling's made up of two different rows. Bricks (relatively thin, hollow space over them) and concrete (this is what I want to drill into, thick layer of concrete).
Every spot I try drilling through feels like bricks.. the drill goes right past it in a second.
I asked someone who works with these things, he told me if I pound the ceiling's different areas I should be able to hear whether it's bricks or concrete. I tried but to no avail.

Anyone know what I should do? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Answer 1

This is how I would do it:
Assuming you have a hollow space up there, between the ceiling and the upper floor, and using the holes you already have made, drill and work through an opening in the ceiling a tiny bit less than one foot in diameter. Cut three wooden 2x4s, two that are at least two feet long, and one 12 inches long. Lay the 12 inch piece flat so that looking down at it you see the four inch side. Measure about one inch from each end of this piece and put two or three 3 1/2 inch screws in this area at each end. Screw these screws into the middles of the two foot pieces, making an H. The 12 inch crossbar of the H should be on the top of the other two, not in between, because you need the l l to support the cross beam from the floor. Fit the H through the hole in the ceiling and on top of the ceiling where you cannot see it from the floor. Secure it to the inside of the ceiling using one inch masonry nails around all sides hammered directly into the top of the ceiling, against the wood, but not through the wood, or use anything that would keep the H from moving around. This beam will support your punching bag from inside the ceiling, which is much better than hanging the bag from under it. Use a 36" length of link chain that is made for towing and S hooks to secure the chain as it is wrapped around the 12" 2x4, and to the top of the punching bag. To hide the hole, buy a round medallion at least 12" in diameter and cut out the middle of it. Pull the down chain through the hole and mount the medallion to the ceiling where you can see it. Then attach the punching bag. The height of the bag can be adjusted by the links on the S hook.

Question for DIY Doc,
Would the anchors you mention be strong enough to withstand constant punching and grabbing onto the bag? Would above the suggestion be better if he used steel bars instead of wood? We don't want this thing to pull the ceiling down or fall on anyone's head...lol

Answer 2

No offense to you or any who answer...certainly # 1 offers a valid suggestion for rafter attachment. I'm kind of confused about a Brick and concrete ceiling. In the strict sense BRICK is easy to drill through with tap con bits, but it's not exactly THIN.

Beyond that, if Brick is the Ceiling, and then a space and then a poured concrete floor for th enext level up, exists, you might have to do long concrete anchors at 3/8 or 1/12 and judge the measurment through the ceiling, to the solid concrete. I use anchors all the time to hang ledgers for lofts etc.

Another issue certainly is the Type of Bag. Speed bag or Heavy? For a Speed bag you shouldn't have a problem, but a Heavy bag should be well secured.


Steven Wolf

Answer 3

Check out some masonry places. they sell things so you can hang things from brick or mortar.
Might also want to mut in a mollie bolt in the ceiling & maybe a brace bar too,
Have fun !!
My kids did, we had a full sized one in our garage for many years.

Answer 4

If your husband has the bag hanging from the main support beam ( 6 x 6) then it will be fine. However if it is only hanging from a single floor joist you could loosen the nails that hold down the floor above. You will not fall through the floor, just cause possible "squeaks" in the future. . If it is hanging from a single joist then put up a cross member so the bag hangs from a minimum of three joists and then it will be fine. What is happening when your husband "beats" on the bag is the equivalent to jumping on the floor above. Prolonged abuse to any situation can cause damage. Key word is "can", can means able to. But not a probability if it is properly braced.

Answer 5

Check the beams, there has to be some there.