Wondering what you guys are using to hold devices like baluns and Cable boxes to the back of TV's.

For baluns we used to use 3M 2 sided tape. But sometimes it sticks almost permanent!

Cable boxes we try to mount to the wall as appose to the tv.

We thought about finding a Velcro with a super strong tape...

This year at Cedia we came across a product that uses a steel plate and a magnet. Have not tried it yet.

I use 3M double sided velcro when I have it. It sticks very well and is hard to come off. But like you mentioned, can leave a residue to clean off if moved.

I have tried Gorilla double sided tape, it showed great promise. But for some reason, after a few hours to a few days it loses its grip. This has happened on every job I used it on, on every type of surface. Was very disappointed, I really wanted it to work. Every other Gorilla Glue product seems to work well and quality.

I would NOT use magnets. Depending on where the magnet is stuck to, it could interfere with a memory device or processor. Not worth taking the chance. Plus, you still have to mount the magnet somehow, so you are creating an extra step to just mounting the device with what you were going to mount the magnet with.

Either the SnapAV mounting plates that attached with the wall mount bracket arms, or cut in a 14x8 or 14x14 SnapAV in-wall enclosure behind the TV.

Alternatively, Sanus offers this which has been well received

[Link: sanus.com]

Use two loops made of 8" or so screw-mount cable ties.

This works best on the minor dimension, meaning the product will end up facing up or down, not sideways.

Make a loop for each end of the unit. Carefully tighten it so a screw mount hole is at the top next to the wall and another is at the bottom next to the wall. Hold the unit in place, install screws in the top mount holes, then install screws in the bottom mount holes.

This works well even just i drywall, using a #8 or #10 drywall or sheet metal screw.

It's removable until you strip the drywall. At that point you can drill the drywall hole out carefully and install a plastic plug type wall mount.

Haven't lost a unit yet.

1/8 ABS plastic kept in stock. Cut, heat or bend to fit. Drill holes where needed to mount or to mount items to it. Or tie strap holes.
Will admit I have had to put holes in wall at top and bottom of device and use appropriate lengths tie straps to hold device on wall.

Velcro will hold it...but sucks to remove. I have had instances where chunks of drywall came off with the velcro. I still use velcro between devices and TVs but i prefer to screw mount devices to walls/cabinets.

The magnet thing sounds interesting. I have to check that out.

On a yacht project the boat yard used snaps to hold everything in place. Male side of the snap on the wall or shelf and the female side on the device/component. This worked really well. Just snap the device in place. You have to create a jig for mounting the snaps or you will never get them to line up.

Attention vendors....

We need a french cleat type device mount system, that goes on the wall behind the TV near the top of the TV. Strap the device to plates, drop onto rail from above, wires loop down behind the TV naturally, and remote signals if needed easily bounce off the ceiling, or devices mounted sideways for troubleshooting LEDs. Most TVs today mount with holes low on the set, leaving adequate space at the top.

Cleat rail with plenty of screw holes, 6x9ish drop on plates (plastic might be nice not to scuff the paint) with slits for velcro and ties. Longer rails can hold 2 or more devices.

I use the small plates and in wall boxes, and they're fine for arm mounts, but not practical for fixed sets. And the cable guy is not going to take the fixed TV down to change the box mounted on a fixed plate or inwall enclosure.

I just had a long conversation with a product specialist at 3M. I explained to her exactly what I was looking to use the product for. She provided me with a part number of a product called Dual Lock. Its like hook and loom (Velcro) but better. And the adhesive on this product is incredible. She is sending me some samples to try in the field.

Dual Lock™ Reclosable Fastener SJ3550
[Link: 3m.com]

I think this is the other thing I have on hand. A buddy gave me most of a roll of it about five years ago. I still use it from time to time and its adhesive qualities are still GREAT.

If it is what I think it is, both halves are the same shape. That is, it's not hook on one side and loop on the other. The two halves interlock. To do so they have to be made symmetrically, meaning the two pieces of tape always line up straight with one another.


An incidental thing about magnets is that they are best at not being pulled straight apart. That leaves them susceptible to being slid apart. That is, their pullout strength is much stronger than their shear strength.

I've seen that 3M stuff. It's like Velcro, but there's no fuzzy side, both are hard and interlock. The key, though, is how the actual adhesive is. I don't think the Velcro bit is the weak link, so much as whether the adhesive works well, too well, or not well enough.

I've had pretty good luck with standard 3M permanent double sided tape, which can be removed if you're patient, but I'd never try to stick it to paint / drywall. Or should I say, I've stuck it to painted wood before, and the weak link proved to be the paint's bond with the wood, rather than the adhesive's bond to the paint!

Dual Lock rocks, just make sure you get a version that uses 3M's VHB adhesive.

We been using neodymium magnets for a couple years. Work great, haven't experienced any interference with electronics yet. Magnets we use come in 1" squares.

Picture hanging hardware.

[Link: homedepot.com]

I’ve started using these Sanus Accents Small Parts Panel - Black (AASP-B1) [Link: amazon.com] or these Universal Streaming Device Mounts [Link: amazon.com] depending upon availability.