How much weight

[dr sportster]

How much could a wood 4x4 support placed between two 16 inch attic beams. How much do you think it would hold ?

 

[P I Pete]

Depends on size of attic beams maybe more than they could support.

Pete

 

[Mule Meat]

A 4414 1/2" will hold quite a bit of weight.

The real question should be how much weight can the two beams hold? Not knowing the span of the beams nor what they are made of. No one can answer your question with any true accurate figures.

 

[BAnNC]

dr sportster, you need to call the code enforcement office in your area. They have values for every stick of lumber imaginable. Whether the 16 beams only count in the equation because they contribute weight to the 4x4. They could be 24 and 40 ft long or 2x10's that only reach 16 ft. YES, the 24 beams could and probably would put more load on the 4x4 post but that member can still only carry what the gubbermint is willing to allow. Make the call.

 

[showcrop]

If the two beams are four inches apart the 4x4 will carry much more than the beams. If the beams are 12 feet apart it will be a lot less.

 

[Pete in Holland MI]

Depends too what the other end is resting on.

Strength of a column is also dependent on keeping the column straight. Any lean or start to buckle and values plummet quickly.

A wood column is also difficult to predict, as there are many variables in wood.

Best to check with your local home builder supply (not a big-box store). They have folks and tables to help you out. Be ready, though, to feed them a bunch of information about the building first.

 

[Centerplate]

https://learnframing.com/wood-beam-calculator/

Some thing like this will help you with the design.

 

[Duner Wi]

Just the 4X4 with out knots would guess 800 lbs no problem
I don't know what your beams will hold.

 

[caterpillar guy]

How long of a 4x4 2 feet it will hold tons 8 feet it will hold a good bit yet probably in the tons figure just a lot less tons than the 2 foot one. If you could use a 6x6 or 4x6 you could hold a lot more. Think about it an 8x8 would hold the main timber in barns with many tons.

 

[rustred]

not quite picturing what u are doing. post a diagram of it. then there is different woods also.

 

[Janicholson]

Attic beams could be called a variety of things. Is the 16 distance between them, and what are they made from. Are they supported with posts? if they are 2X12 ceiling joists, and far away from load bearing walls/posts, the 4X4 will be strong enough to damage them. What are you lifting? Jim

 

[MarkB_MI]

I'd be more concerned about the joists you're resting it on than the 4x4. I lifted about 400 pounds (a Lycoming O-360 aircraft engine with a bunch of junk hanging off it) from the roof trusses of my shop using a 4x4 across them. The trusses are 24 inches O.C.

One of the projects on my list is to put a permanent lifting ring in my shop. Since I've finished the ceiling I can't just throw a 4x4 across the trusses. I plan to use a piece of channel iron rather than a 4x4.

 

[SVcummins]

How wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood ?

 

[Russ from MN]

Are you calling ceiling joists attic beams, or are they the bottom chord of trusses? Either way if you want to lift very much you need to do more than just throw a 4x4 across 2 trusses, but you could probably lift 300-400 pounds that way. I put a 10 foot 4x6 across 5 trusses in my shop, and then tied it up to the top chord of the truss with angle iron. I regularly lift lawn tractors and motorcycles for working on them, but they probably don't weigh over 500 pounds. I have this beam and chain fall bolted through the ceiling to the 4x6.

 

[John Deere D]

I'm NOT able to give you a definitive answer on your concerns..
My wife and I designed a structure and constructed it for our RV....

We sent the below pic to an Individual who specialised in ENGINEERD RAFTERS.
12' span..on 24 centers...2 X 6 dry Killen lumber...

We requested TWO Engineered RAFTERS so as I can lift 2200 lbs...

A length of heavy wall 6X 6 square tubing is to be placed perpendicular to the Rafters...

Bob..

 

[cjunrau]

As much as the shear force of the nails to hold it there. Or if I would guess about 1000 lbs before it would break. If its pine. Ash or oak more.

 

[Uncle murph]

The Question is so vague,Im not sure what the question is.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

The begins of a fine building John Deere D.

 

[John Deere D]

Thank you Charles in Aus

The cost ($$$$) of an RV is such, my wife and I are trying to lengthen its life span....

Other than auguring / drilling the holes for the Pillings, we assembled the entire Structure...

My wife is well into her 70's and is a real trooper.
Bob..

 

[John Deere D]

3/8 plates...6long Wood screws ...Pilot holes.
The summer of 2020 seemed to rain every day in North Western Alberta Canada........

Bob..Retired..and enjoy Retirement......