How to hang festoon lights using a timber fence?

[k31453]

Hi,

i got following diagram and I would like to put festoon lights in backyard

so I got length of over 16m from House to wooden fence. The wooden fence is not in good shape.

how to hang the festoon lights?

 

 

 

[k31453]

Thank you. And how do I screw this? I am very unfamillar with screwing timber.

You said to use  predrill pilot holes. How do I screw it in and what screws I used? Earlier I have been told to use  75mm screws . Do i just use impact driver and just screw it in. What is the purpose of predrill pilot holes?

[JacobZ]

Hi @k31453,

You'll want to have one screw above the other, around 450mm apart. If the timber sitting in front of the post is longer, then add a third screw.

Drilling a pilot hole removes material, which allows space to drive the screw into. If you didn't make space, the timber would have to expand to accommodate the screw, which can cause the timber to split or crack.

You'll hold the timber in place, then predrill one of the holes and drive the screw in with an impact driver or drill. This first screw will hold the timber in place, but it will still be able to rotate. You can then grab your spirit level, plumb the timber up, drill the second pilot hole and screw it in place.

Let me know if you require further clarification.

Jacob

[k31453]

Thank you again.

ok i understand the fence side.

on the gutter side, what it is needed to support wire and the festoon lights?

how and what  should I use given i have brick and the gutter as per below?

Plan is to use 10mm stainless steel square eye plate with tapping screws. Is there any alternative since the cable length will be over 18m.

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @k31453,

You have two main options. 

Attach it to the timbers that are behind this metal fascia with screw hooks.

Or attach them to the bricks using something like this Ramset 8 x 45mm DynaBolt Plus Eye Bolt.

If you wanted to attach to the fascia, you would need to locate the roof rafters behind the metal fascia. Depending on their depth behind the fascia, you might be able to use a studfinder. Otherwise, you might be able to pop that downlight out, then stick a camera up through the hole to get an idea of where they are. Once located, you would predrill holes for your screw hooks, then install them.

Of the two, attaching to the bricks would be easier, as you wouldn't need to locate the timbers behind the fascia. You would just need to drill into the brick with a masonry bit that corresponds to the size recommended for your DynaBolt, tap them in and tighten them up.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[k31453]

Yes I believe the brick would be okay. I just need to figure out how to attach Ramset 8 x 45mm DynaBolt Plus Eye Bolt to the wall. 

Another option is  to use Taskmaster 10mm 316 Stainless Steel Square Eye Plate and self-tapping screws? But I am not sure what to get?

[JacobZ]

Hi @k31453,

You couldn't use the eye plate because there would be no way to feed the wire through the eye. The DynaBolts would be better because they have an open hook that you can slip the wire over.

You'll just need an 8mm masonry bit to create the pilot hole for the Ramset 8 x 45mm DynaBolt Plus Eye Bolts. You'll then tap them into the pilot hole and tighten them up to anchor them in place.

You can then hang your festoon lights off them.

Jacob

[k31453]

If you are using https://www.bunnings.com.au/ramset-8-x-45mm-dynabolt-plus-eye-bolt-2-pack_p2265321. Then how would you connect the cable to it?
Suppose I am going on this formation 

So lets say I start from timber post far right. Connect square plate - https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-10mm-316-stainless-steel-square-eye-plate_p0237895%E2%80%99  to carabiners with an eyelet and run wire through Wall side #1 connect the carabiners with an eyelet/turnbuckle to D ring eye plate on #1.

Then same Wall D Use #1 D ring eye plate connect the carabiners with an eyelet/turnbuckle to D ring eye plate on 2nd from right timber post using cabinar or dynabolt right? and keep going?

[EricL]

Hello @k31453 

I believe if you were to use carabiners it would work, as it would allow you to loop the wire through it and link it to the D plate or the Dynabolt eye bolt. Either fixing would work as long as the carabiners were used.

Eric