I am removing an old fan and installing a new one. I pulled the old fan, and I have a fan box that is built onto a support beam that is run between two joists. The two inside holes (which go through the box into the wood beam) that held the old fan are too far in for the new fan mount, the two outside holes may work, they seem to line up, but they do not go into the wood beam, it looks like they go up the side to the top of the box.

Am I good using the two outside holes (wood screws I guess?)or is there a box I can replace this one with, I am not sure how I would get the current box off the support beam. I was also thinking of screwing directly into the support beam, but the screw holes line up right on the outside lip of the box. Pic below of the box.

 

Screw the mounting plate of the fan directly into the wood. That will give you the best support.

 

Yeah that's what I was going to try, but the holes line up with the outside lip of the box, I guess I could dremel off the side lips of the box to make room for the screws to go.

 

Can you post a picture of the fan mounting plate?

 

Sure!

 

Thanks for the picture.

The two holes that line up with the mounting plate normally need a 10-32 screw, not just a wood screw. If you use those holes you will also need to screw the box to the wood with some screws. Otherwise, you could drill some holes through the box so you can screw directly to the wood as shown. The holes will be close to the edge but you shouldn't need to trim the box. Either method should work fine.

 

Yeah I am going to give it a shot going into the wood support beam. I took a pair of clippers and clipped a little of the lip off one side of the box and I think I have enough clearance for both screws now. Thanks for the replies!