Plasma TV mount, Metal Studs, Articulating Arm

Hi,

I would like to mount a TV above my fireplace. I know many people think that this is not a good place to place a TV due to neck strain, heat etc and other reasons. However due to various legacy reasons I am in this situation and do not really have any other option.

The studs in the wall above the fireplace are metal due to building codes, probablly for fire resistance reasons. The TV mount area is a 33 inch tall by 50 inch wide inset by 6 inch alcove. It was designed for a TV, sort of to make the thing flush. This of course makes getting at the wires and connections behind the TV difficult. To help solve this issue of cable connection access I would like to use a Peerless SP850 wall mount bracket which can articulate the TV from the wall. This bracket can come out away form the wall by 10 inches. This will put some strain on the mount points of the bracket to the wall.

So the question is given that I have sort of the worst of all worlds here:

1) Metal studs 2) Out reach articulating Mount which will leverage the TV out even more and hence increase the strain. 3) 50 inch plasma -- about 120 lbs - ish I guess

Just how can I do this without a major crash-bang-wallop situation? I was thinking of using quite a few toggler

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bolts. This hardware available at home depot is sold by some TV mount "experts" on the internet for 10x the cost.

If so how many bolts do I need? And will by wall hold up to all the stress placed on it?

Anyone have any experience on this?

Warmest regards, Mike.

Reply to
hobbes
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You sure do.

Span studs with solid plywood would be one answer.

It sure will and pull right of those metal studs.

Check it.

Wary carefully!

What is on the other side of the wall? A kitchen, perhaps? Things to consider in my case.

In a given circumstance the wall will remain stationary:-), follow the mount instructions.

Be sure to include the weight of the mount.

I have a 50" with all necessary material. Until I exactly determine things, it will not go above the fire place as my first thoughts were. ....(non-wood burning/gas fake log). Even changing the room furniture around is giving other options. I will use the articulating arm mount, but on a wall with wood and predrilled for 4" lag bolts.. 6 ought to do mine.

I've been tabling the project for a long, long time. HDTV is great as I wait.

-- Oren

"If things get any worse, I'll have to ask you to stop helping me."

Reply to
Oren

By any chance do you know if the metal studs are heavy gauge or light weight? Without knowing I would consider filling in the entire space with a piece or 3/4" or maybe 1" plywood cut to the same dimensions as the opening. Use many drywall screws to secure it to all the studs that you possibly can. You can predrill holes in the plywood for the drywall screws with a small bit and use a countersink. Dab some joint compound over the screws and sand smooth. The idea is to spread the weight out among all of the studs so that one or two are not carrying the full load. Use plywood with an "A" surface and paint it to match the rest of the wall. Anchor your support bracket to the plywood.

Reply to
John Grabowski

After lifting a 42 inch plasma, to put it on a stand, I think anyone installing a 50 inch plasma on a wall is taking one heck of a chance. And when you have to switch wires around you will probably have to take it down again. What fun.

Reply to
Art

And why is this?

-- Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

Reply to
Oren

fronhas had written this in response to

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: Just wanted to thank you all for sharing this method and to report 100% success on installing a 52" Pioneer Elite (an early plasma very very heavy) above my fireplace framed with Metal studs spaced 24".

I used the cheapest mount from COSTCO (50$) non articulated and used 8 TOGGLER SnapToggle bolts with 1/4" screws and washers. Toggler requires 1/2" holes and I managed to get 4 of them drilled through the center of the metal studs.

The Toggler is an amazing product and although HomeDepot didn't have it I found it is easily available at ACE and at GRAINGER.

Enjoy!!!! Fronhas

hobbes wrote:

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Reply to
fronhas

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