The only thing I didn't see mentioned is to cut out a relatively large rectangle of sheetrock and replace it with the same thickness plywood. Now you can glue and screw the ply any which way you want, and bolt the plasma to wood... We use this technique with metal stud and sheetrock walls in NYC.

50 Inch on single stud will be fine. We have probably done more than 2 or 3 hundred. We have not had one come down so far! (shouldn't curse it like that).

Great responses, all - thanks much. I too have used the Vogels mount, and it indeed is designed to mount to one stud, and it does work well - but this client wants as flat a mount as possible.

My take: probably just go into the one stud (it is in the center of the wall, BTW), then probably use sheetrock screws or the tape idea for stabilization. I think we're all in agreement this thing won't come off the wall.

As rule of thumb - you should use products as they are intended. A mount that was engineered to mount to 2 studs won't be the same...consider that your insurance is on the line...be honest with the client and tell him what the deal is...maybe you should compromise with the Vogel mount.

-Beau

Pocket doors typically have thin (1"deep) "studs" that are encased in metal that serve as drywall supports. - Although there isnt much lumber in theses "studs" they are strong. I mounted a 42 over a pocket door not too long ago - and I used 2 lags into the stud , and four 1 1/4" dry wall screws into the thin pocket door stud. -- very sturdy .

Also as for the wacky double sided tape idea remember the tape will be stuck to the top layer of paint , thus making it only as strong as it's bond to the drywall, which is, in turn only as strong as the paper to gypsum bond. feeling lucky ??

So Mr. Garn and Caffeinated agree with me.
I feel so validated...


And while I would never hang a $7000 TV with tape as a part of the solution, since you guys even brought it up it must be some SERIOUS tape!!

I need to find this stuff...

That stuff from 3M is amazing. I would rather remove 200 screws than try to remove that tape from anything after leaving it setting for awhile. Yes, it's that strong.

IF screwing into the one stud is the primary holding force and IF it is a quality paint that is bonded well and the primer is soaked into the drywall paper, that $#!+ isn't coming off, period. It's almost TOO permanent! I wouldn't use it except in very small doses unles I was VERY sure that I didn't want to make any adjustments to that bracket.
BTW.
Have you ever seen what a wall looks like after you pull a piece of wood off that was anchored with a couple of screws and a LOT of liquid nails? Craters!

I'm not quite drunk enough for this tonight.