ceiling
Can anyone tell what these screws in my upstairs ceiling are for? There are three drilled into a joist, about 1.5 ft from a window.
I would guess they are for some style of curtain rod. But I don't understand why it'd be so far from the window. I've also never seen a curtain rod that mounts to the ceiling…
In case I can't figure a use for these, any recommendations on removing? There is no head to turn with a screwdriver.
OK, lets start by correcting some terms. The structural members you want to raise are not rafters, they are ceiling joists. You are right that because you have balloon framed walls, that has no effect on the top layer of ceiling joists. Changing these joists have no effect on the balloon framed walls. The thing you have to determine is if the ceiling joists are tied to a load bearing partition somewhere near the center of the house. If you have full roof rafters with a ridge board, it is very unlikely that the ceiling joists are tied into any down supporting bearing wall. Raising them should not be a problem if you plan for support of these joists if there is any center resting point, via a knee wall on the center resting support. If these joists span the entire width of the structure, then you can safely shorten them and reconnect them to the roof rafters. They serve two purposes. First a ceiling joist, and second, a collar tie for the roof rafter. I think you will be fine, however, I'd love to see some pics of the attic area with the joists. Good luck.
I felt like using SketchUp, but you can easier secure it to the ceiling or wall.
I roughly used the dimensions on the Impex Marcy SM2805 Suspension Rack
The drawing is based off of a few 2x6's and only 1 cable support is shown but there should be 4. This would run roughly $100:
DO NOT GET PRESSURE TREATED LUMBER
You should never used pressure treated lumber for indoor uses.
Best Answer
Terminology-wise those look like bolts. Removing-wise, look in the attic above the room for bolt-heads, first. If they are not though the joist, they are probably a "lag/machine combination", and you put two nuts on, tightened against each other, then use a wrench on the upper one to back them out. Putting them in is the same, but you put the wrench on the bottom one.
Use-wise, something hung from the ceiling, probably somewhat heavy - punching bags, for one example. Hanging/hammock chairs for another. Majorly overdone chandeliers...