Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 13, 2000 08:05pm | #1

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   Mike,

   Here's what's proper for me. I would use steel studs and fasten the track with 7/16 tapper screws. If worried about beam deflection, I would leave the studs short and use a crimper to fasten to top track. If soffiting around beam, I would build soffit around and then install the wall beneath that,securing nothing to the beam, allowing it to float. Hope this helps.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 13, 2000 11:49pm | #2

   *Mike,I don't know what's "proper", but we just fasten a wood plate to the bottom of the I beam and frame a wall under it. We've used bolts through small holes in the bottom flange or Ramset shots if the steel is thin enough to connect the wood top plate to the underside of the beam.Ed. Williams

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   Guest_ | Mar 14, 2000 12:03am | #4

   *I finished my basement last year using both steel and wood studs. I spanned the entire steel I beam w/2X6 steel studs, fastening the top track to I beam w/ramset. This last procedure made me nervous, thinking the nail's going to just bounce back and pop me in the head. After assurance and demonstration from my Fastner's dealer, I went ahead - worked beautifully! The steel method as opposed to wood is easier, I think, because you cut each stud progressively longer/shorter as the floor pitches (floor drain). The drywall then ran up over the I beam (no need to box in) and attached to wood plate atop beam. Hope this helpsRegards, 14-0-

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   Mike_Z | Mar 14, 2000 12:03am | #3

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   Does anyone know a proper technique for building a partition wall directly
   beneath a steel I-Beam that you would find in a basement.