I'm mounting a new LCD TV on the wall and have run into some issues with the stud placement in the house. I think I have an easier solution than ripping down drywall to add braces, but for some reason am struggling with this being a good solution.

The TV is a 52" LCD that weighs 87 pounds. This is the bracket: http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/33972.jpg Full Link (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10828&cs_id=1082801&p_id=3397&seq=1&format=1#largeimage)

My problem is that to hit two wall studs with the wall plate, I cannot center the bracket where I want the TV centered. The center arm bracket of the tv mount slides, so I could slide it to the right but that would cause the load to be unbalanced.

The horizontal TV mounting locations are 600 mm between centers. I estimate that to be where I want it, the center bracket would be 410 mm from the left bracket, 190 mm from the right. This would put 68% of the load (59 pounds) to the left of center and 32% (28 pounds) to the right (assuming the weight of the TV is equally distributed). I expect this would cause some tilt in the TV, not to mention stress on the mounting screws that secure the TV bracket to the wall bracket.

If I simply add 30 pounds of weight to the right side, will this balance it out and keep everything level? The mount is rated to 165 pounds and this would still leave me about 50 pounds under that.

Anyone see problems with this idea? If not, what is a good way to attach 30 pounds of weight to the right side of that bracket? I really don't want to tear up the wall, but I also don't want a $2400 TV crashing to the floor.

The problem is you're using metric measurements for a US-built house. :D:nope::o:rar:

But seriously - how about mounting some plywood (or something similar) to the studs and then mounting the TV wall plate to that? You could stain or paint it to match the decor.

I would approach it from another direction:

Mount a good piece 1x12 wood very solidly the studs at the height you want the bracket to be. Or even double it up to use longer screws.
Paint this wood to match the wall.

Then mount the bracket to this wood evenly wherever you want it.

This pushes it out into the room about .75 -1.5" extra but gives you placement flexibility without worrying about balance.

It's what I did with a swing arm all mount in my kitchen for a 12" CRT TV/DVD combo.

But seriously - how about mounting some plywood (or something similar) to the studs and then mounting the TV wall plate to that? You could stain or paint it to match the decor.

Do all Scotts think alike? :D

I've considered mounting 3/4 plywood across three studs, then the TV mount into it. I figured that four lag bolts into studs were more secure than two into a stud and four into plywood though. I also would like it as close to the wall as possible, but another inch would not be a big deal if necessary. I also hate painting and I'm not sure if I have any of the paint left from the living room to make it match.

What do the angular adjustments refer to? It looks like the mount is designed to compensate for an installation that is not horizontally level. Also, I think that if the manufacturer of the mount does allow for adjustment of the 2 TV mounting rods and a horizontal angular alignment, that then the mounting bracket can handle the torque. Is there a disclosure in the manual for required mounting conditions? It would be easier to judge if I would hold the bracket in hand and see how flimsy it is.
Anyways, I seem to have the wrong job, since the only TVs I can afford are to big to hang on the wall :cool:, thus I do not have first hand experience.

Happy Holidays.

Joachim

But seriously - how about mounting some plywood (or something similar) to the studs and then mounting the TV wall plate to that? You could stain or paint it to match the decor.

Do all Scotts think alike? :D

Scotts and Brads? I was thinking the same.:lol:

Are you sure you cannot get it on studs? Most american homes are 18" or 24" on center (as long as it is not an old house). Most products are made to line up on those.

You could also run metal brackets horizontally that mount into the studs that you could mount the TV on. They could be painted to match the TV bracket. Of course, I tend to over-engineer everything I construct :tg:

Personally, I wouldn't use a piece of plywood. I'd go with a 1/4" steel plate. Not only will it look better, but it will be much stronger.

Mount it with at least 4 lag bolts into two studs. For the tv bracket I would drill 4 holes from the backside of the plate. Try to center them on the plate. Counter sink the holes and tap them to hold 3/8" grade 8 bolts. Put the bracket on and put the largest washers you can find along with 4 nuts.

Although the bracket is rated for 165lbs, I don't like the look of a stamped bracket with only two pins holding a tv:mg:

Regardless of the stud spacing, I see the problem as "alignment" since the existing studs don't allow placing the TV for the most aesthetic placement on the wall without being "off" enough so that your wife will comment every time, "we should have hired somebody who knew what he was doing to put the TV where it would look best in our room."

To fit the TV where you WANT it (versus where it WILL FIT) is going to require some method of adapting the current 16-inch centers for the three verticals.

You don't say whether you have 16-inch stud centers or 24-inch, nor do you say how far off your entire ensemble will be from fitting directly to the studs to give you the placement most aesthetically pleasing to you.

Since the entire 52 inch size of the TV will hide a lot of "stuff," you should probably concentrate on the simplest adaptation that can later be removed without too much mess and effort and which does not have to be painted to match the other room decor.

If it were MY problem, I'd get metal plates to bolt (don't weld - if you relocate, you just have a screwed up support) across the 3 verticals (1/8-inch thick should be enough, but maybe 1/4-inch for extra insurance.) Use as many cross plates as you would have normally put lag screws in the two outside verticals. Drill holes in the cross plates for lag screws into studs - no counterbalancing required. Total extra "stick out" from the wall should be less than 1/2-inch plywood and nothing has to be painted to match the decor. Most steel distribution service centers can cut plate to size (I estimate 81 cm long X 5 cm wide should provide adequate strength with 1/8-inch plate, and only 2.5 cm wide for 1/4-inch plate.)

Added in edit:
NOTE: MAKE THE CROSS PLATE WIDE ENOUGH TO PUT TWO BOLTS INTO EACH VERTICAL TO AVOID SKEWING OF THE 90 DEGREE ANGLE BETWEEN CROSS PLATE AND VERTICAL!

Although I'm not a mechanical engineer - I do have some experience with this. I wouldn't mess with adding additional weight - you're just increasing the stress on the mount. As long as you hit 2 studs (make sure you hit the center) and use 4 lags on it - you should be able to move the TV where you want it. Don't worry, it will hold. Keep it simple. Mine has been up that way for a year and it's about 100 lb tv.

Scotts and Brads? I was thinking the same.:lol:

Are you sure you cannot get it on studs? Most american homes are 18" or 24" on center (as long as it is not an old house). Most products are made to line up on those.




'round here they're typically on 16" centers especially if they're load bearing.

just sayin'

'round here they're typically on 16" centers especially if they're load bearing.

just sayin'

True.. good call. Then if the studs are on the first floor of a second story house, they may be 16 inch or 12 inch on center.

Thanks for the help so far. No wife to worry about approval on this, but I do want it to look good and be safe.

Studs are on 16" centers, not a load bearing wall. I want the TV with the right edge a few inches from the corner of the room. This would put the center of the TV 28" from the corner (51"w + 3" clearance / 2) . Studs are located approximately 16, 32 and 48 inches from the corner. If the center of the bracket is at 28, my mounting points will span from 19 to 37 inches along the wall, only allowing me to hit the stud at 32.

I'm leaning towards the 3/4" plywood solution:

- 32" wide piece of 3/4 oak (cabinet grade) plywood
- lag bolt plywood to studs at 16 and 48"
- lag bolts through bracket, plywood and into stud at 32"
- eight (or more) .25X1" bolts through bracket into plywood

This would spread the load over three studs.

Will 3/4" plywood hold 115 pounds, extended potentially six inches away at 90 degrees?

Is it beneficial to extend the plywood to the 48" stud

Other opinions?

I have the same bracket mounted to my wall, at least it looks like the same bracket. I have a 50" samsung plasma mounted with no problems at all. But, my studs are 16" on center and the bracket lined up perfectly for me.
I don't see the weight distribution as being a factor, relative to the sturdiness of the bracket.
Steel plate, counterbores and washers? I want that guy to build my next house.

Don't worry about the load being unbalanced - the mount will hold fine. Mount the TV and slide it where you like. You could always install stainless steel I beams to hold the tv up if you prefer extra work :)

What's wrong with just putting the tv on top of the empty wire spool next to the cinderblocks that are holding up the speakers?

Or something like this...

http://elsmar.com/jpg/redneck_flatscreen_1.jpg

http://elsmar.com/jpg/redneck_flatscreen_2.jpg

Thanks for the help so far. No wife to worry about approval on this, but I do want it to look good and be safe.

Studs are on 16" centers, not a load bearing wall. I want the TV with the right edge a few inches from the corner of the room. This would put the center of the TV 28" from the corner (51"w + 3" clearance / 2) . Studs are located approximately 16, 32 and 48 inches from the corner. If the center of the bracket is at 28, my mounting points will span from 19 to 37 inches along the wall, only allowing me to hit the stud at 32.

I'm leaning towards the 3/4" plywood solution:

- 32" wide piece of 3/4 oak (cabinet grade) plywood
- lag bolt plywood to studs at 16 and 48"
- lag bolts through bracket, plywood and into stud at 32"
- eight (or more) .25X1" bolts through bracket into plywood

This would spread the load over three studs.

Will 3/4" plywood hold 115 pounds, extended potentially six inches away at 90 degrees?

Is it beneficial to extend the plywood to the 48" stud

Other opinions?

With all due respect to the great minds here - I would suggest another alternative. We all expound the theory of using the right tool for the right job, correct?

Hire a carpenter - there are many that are experts in this type of work. You can check with the store you where you bought the TV - I am sure that can reccomend someone. This could be money well spent.

And - I must confess - I am married to a UBC carpenter.

I don't think you will have to add anything. The bracket was designed to slide, so you should be able to place the TV at any position. The design engineers most certainly verified & validated the design and did a Worst Case Analysis.:cfingers:

Do all Scotts think alike? :D

Aha! The mind control lasers are working! Forget to wear your tinfoil hat today? :cool:

Hire a carpenter - there are many that are experts in this type of work. You can check with the store you where you bought the TV - I am sure that can reccomend someone. This could be money well spent.

Avoid the guys that build this (http://happycarpenter.blogs.com/the_happy_carpenter/images/bad_architecture_nouvelny.gif)....:D

Or this (http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/rha/lowres/rhan251l.jpg).....

Stijloor.

After further review, analysis of how the mount articulates, measuring and assembly I determined I can mount it only about two inches off center, so I am not going to worry about special arrangements until I get a chance to put it on the wall and see how it works out. I could actually center it, but I would lose the ability to push it flat against the wall and would have to keep it angled out. I didn't have anyone handy to help me lift it into place (the dogs were no help at all) so it will have to wait until I recruit someone.

Anyway, thanks for the ideas.