Mounting rails for new work ceiling can lights

[AFJES]

I put up about 5 cases of lights for a customer recently. Most of the ceiling rafters in these rooms were not standard size 16" on center so I had to snap off sections of the rails in order to make them fit between the ceiling rafters. Now, with his new lighting arrangement he wants to move these can lights (HERE ) to other sections of the house which now have the standard spacing between the ceiling rafters because it is a newer section of the house. But because I had already snapped off sections of the rails to make them fit in the smaller spaces they will not fit in the larger gap spaces now. I would have to frame out every area so that the used light rails will fit which is crazy. Also as many of you know the rails are a pain to work with to start and once working with them they tend to bend and become very difficult to adjust from there especially when you have to take them down once they are put up.

So my question is can I purchase new rails for these lights? Anyone ever do this?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[JFletcher]

I had to move 4 yesterday like this (cut rails). and where I move them to didnt need the cuts. major pita, wound up just using electrical tape to keep the rails together. T&M job, how many hours you gonna spend moving the lights/remounting vs buying new?

 

[Fulthrotl]

I put up about 5 cases of lights for a customer recently. Most of the ceiling rafters in these rooms were not standard size 16" on center so I had to snap off sections of the rails in order to make them fit between the ceiling rafters. Now, with his new lighting arrangement he wants to move these can lights (HERE ) to other sections of the house which now have the standard spacing between the ceiling rafters because it is a newer section of the house. But because I had already snapped off sections of the rails to make them fit in the smaller spaces they will not fit in the larger gap spaces now. I would have to frame out every area so that the used light rails will fit which is crazy. Also as many of you know the rails are a pain to work with to start and once working with them they tend to bend and become very difficult to adjust from there especially when you have to take them down once they are put up.

So my question is can I purchase new rails for these lights? Anyone ever do this?

Thanks for any suggestions.

these are in a drywalled ceiling, and you want to remove and reuse them?

firstly, if this is a financially viable plan for you, consider looking at your pricing structure for your labor. hard. :happyyes:
snarkiness aside, yes, erico makes them. they are nice.

Erico Caddy 517A Light Fixture Hanger 5/8" Standard
they are only about a buck more a set than home desperate charges for the entire fixture. about $8 a fixture.

 

[AFJES]

these are in a drywalled ceiling, and you want to remove and reuse them?

Erico Caddy 517A Light Fixture Hanger 5/8" Standard
they are only about a buck more a set than home desperate charges for the entire fixture. about $8 a fixture.

Sorry, I gave you the wrong impression. Drywall is not on the ceiling yet. The customer wanted to relocated these lights to another portion of the house.

I checked those rails out just now. They want $2 for one. A few dollars more and can buy a new light instead. But thank you for giving me that information. I am still looking for options to reuse these.

 

[Fulthrotl]

Sorry, I gave you the wrong impression. Drywall is not on the ceiling yet. The customer wanted to relocated these lights to another portion of the house.

I checked those rails out just now. They want $2 for one. A few dollars more and can buy a new light instead. But thank you for giving me that information. I am still looking for options to reuse these.

you sure on the $2 a fixture pricing?

platt has them for $8.79 each.
my wholesale house was about $8.
your rough in cans price out at $6.50 ish....

 

[ADub]

Sorry, I gave you the wrong impression. Drywall is not on the ceiling yet. The customer wanted to relocated these lights to another portion of the house.

I checked those rails out just now. They want $2 for one. A few dollars more and can buy a new light instead. But thank you for giving me that information. I am still looking for options to reuse these.

He gave you the best option. Anything less than new rails or a new can would be a butcher job. Why not buy what you need and pass the cost to the homeowner since his indecision is what created this situation?

 

[AFJES]

Why not buy what you need and pass the cost to the homeowner since his indecision is what created this situation?

This particular customer has given me a lot of work in his renovation projects of the properties he owns. He and his wife have become friends. He pays me by the hour at a low rate (my decision) and these changes were expected to come up. I was just trying to save him a few bucks. I was able to take a few down today and frame in where I needed to without too much effort. I guess though new can lights is the cheapest way to go.