a34198d7   
   From: one-if-by-land@concord.com   
      
    wrote in message   
   news:1b6d52b0-8335-4879-89db-2e6ec51807e2@i29g2000prf.googlegroups.com...   
   > How strong are laminated beams?  Better than solid wood?   
   >   
   > I have a 32' long laminated beam 24" deep about 12" wide sitting on   
   > 4x6 steel columns on each end.   
   >   
   > After 35 years it "looks" ok and is holding up the exposed roof   
   > structure.   
   >   
   > I am wondering if it would be ok to drill three holes through it to   
   > hang three heavy ceiling fans.  Not sure I want to do that anyways but   
   > wondering if that is an option.   
   >   
   > MC   
      
   Don't drill the beam.   
   Screw a backer plate on the bottom side of the beam to carry the weight of   
   the fan.   
   Screw a piece of harmonizing wood vertically on the least visible side of   
   the beam with a channel routed in the inside of the piece to conceal the   
   conduit for the fan wire.   
   I'm presuming you are talking about drilling a hole vertically through the   
   beam, right?   
   Man, that'd take some kinda drill bit.   
   The weight of a couple ceiling fans is inconsequential to the load the beam   
   is already carrying.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)