Hanging Shop Lights on Metal Ceiling Without Drilling Holes in Metal?

The short answer is no - at least this light in this situation, but in the end it will work! The problem is that even with a rare earth magnet rated at 200 lbs., the metal ceiling is too thin for the magnet to hold up these large temporary lights. because there was something to hang the light from almost exactly where it needed to go, I just hung this light from there, but the next light will be hung from the metal ceiling. What I will do is place fender washers above the tin where the magnet will be placed which will dramatically increase the holding power. For the final shop lights - LED strip lights - the 100 lb. magnets will work just fine, and I will show that in a future video.
100 lb Neodymium Magnet - amzn.to/3U8vrHF
200 lb Neodymium Magnet - amzn.to/3F2PEu8
300 lb Neodymium Magnet - amzn.to/3FksvSQ
500 lb Neodymium Magnet - amzn.to/3YbZbq2
600 lb Neodymium Magnet - amzn.to/3FdaWUC
700 lb Neodymium Magnet - amzn.to/3hej2UX
1,000 lb Neodymium Magnet - amzn.to/3FH8VkS
1,500 lb Neodymium Magnet - amzn.to/3uHbU6Q
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[@PlanetMojo]

As I say in the description, the next light will be hung by using either a piece of 1/8" steel I cut from some bar stock or a stack of fender washers placed over the magnet on the attic side of the tin. With this light, there was a convenient place to hang it right where it needed to be. The permanent lighting will not have anything above them, and will need to rely on the thin steel - but two 100 lb. magnets will hold them just fine! My biggest fear is nocking one end off the ceiling with a board, then the whole row just peels off!

[@ccrx6700]

Pretty cool. You ought to see the magnets they have for long wall underground. They are 4 inches in diameter, dont know the gauss on them but you cannot pull them off. Gotta slide it off. I use one to hold computer moniter in place on tamper. I you give me your address i'll send you one. Great show today my friend 👍😊❤️

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks Dave, I think I'll take you up on that! I've always wanted to try magnet fishing, and that sounds like the magnet for the job! If you look in my 'About' section it has an email. Send me your email and I'll respond. Thanks!

[@5thgen916]

Just set a light piece of scrap metal above where you hang the temporary light. Just leave it under the insulation when you put up the permanent one.

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks 5th Gen! That is what I am going to do on the next one. I cut an 1/8" thick flat steel part ant tested it out. It looks to have at least 100 lbs. of pull, but maybe more! A person could always use fender washers as well, and dial-in the desired pull based on how many are added. The actual lights I will be using will be arriving soon so stay tuned for that! Should be pretty interesting 😊

[@adenvet2830]

Hi Mojo, nice video shame the 200LB magnet didn't work, I'll probably get laughed at by suggesting this but putting a thick piece of metal the other side of the panel then attaching the magnet would that strengthen the magnet just a thought. 🤔.

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks Larry. I agree about the piece of metal - I talk about it in the description above. I have a piece of 1/8" steel cut already, but may end up using fender washers because that will allow me to 'dial in' the strength. I would bet the 100 lb. magnet would work with 3 or 4 washers above it! Anyway, great minds think alike - the next light will be going up soon so stay tuned! 😊

[@RobertRalphR]

That makes a lot of sense, this way you can change or update your lights whenever you want without having holes all over your ceiling!

[@PlanetMojo]

That's my thought as well. I may not be able to do this with the dust collection ductwork but at least I can move any lights in the way!

[@ShedHomePro]

I would have never thought of this! Great idea! You basically have a giant fridge up there 😉

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks SH, hopefully this will make the duct work for dust collection and the eventual wood heater easier when I install them!

[@jamesandrews8667]

Use two of the small magnets and place a bar between the two. Hang the light from the bar. This system will keep the magnets from tilting and releasing

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks James! For the next temporary light, I put two washers on top of the tin giving the magnet full strength. Since then I have hung my normal 4' shop lights from 100 lb. magnets, and that works great 😊 I am using two magnets and a bit of string as a helping hand to install conduit and soon the ductwork. That's over on the woodworking channel: www.youtube.com/@TrapDoorWoodworks

[@Samtom786]

Thank you so much good video.

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks Sam!

[@i8BBQ4Lunch]

Why not use a rivnut? While I can't use them in a shipping container, you don't have an issue with leaks.

[@PlanetMojo]

The tin ceiling is actually the vapor barrier so I would rather have no holes in it at all if they don't go into a joist. The 'permanent' lights will be hung from magnets as well, and will be able to be moved without leaving holes all over the place. These temporary lights are very heavy, but they have been hanging there a year and a half already. All is well 😊

[@DickYoder999]

If this works on the final set of lights, I may do this on my future shop. I'm looking at starting the build next summer if the lumber prices hold!

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks Dick, It should work. I believe the LED shop light are very light, but we will see in a couple weeks or-so.