Greetings

First I want to admit that I obviously did not do my research before getting myself into this situation. So after you guys have a good chuckle, I would really appreciate any suggestions for my problem. I've read dozens of threads in these forums and I am convinced that if I am going to find a solution anywhere it is going to be here.

A couple of weeks ago I went out and bought the Omnimount Articulating Plasma Mount (apparently my first mistake after reading through the forums) but I did not pay attention to the spacing requirement of the studs. The mount was designed to be bolted into two 16" spaced wood studs with 3 lag bolts on each side. The problem is that the studs in my walls are 24" apart. In other threads, I've read how people are using plywood and togglers when no studs are present, but I don't think that is stable enough for a mount with an articulating arm. I have a few ideas, but they are more involving then I would like them to be and I not sure what the end result would be. Besides, I would really like to hear what the pros would do. Any suggestions?

I would think that spanning your two 24" studs with a 3/4 plywood panel and mounting the bracket to that should work, certainly for a 42" plasma. A 50", I'm not so sure.

If you've read enough of the forum you've seen us say again & again; hire a pro. Have you considered that? You already own a bracket that you're not wild about; any reason to possibly get in deeper and still not complete the task?

Hire a pro.

Oh my.

I guess you have 3 choices. I'll list in order of preference

A) Hire Pro
B) Use a piece of 3/4" Birch (Finished) plywood, long enough to fully span 2 studs, apply a little liquid nail and securely screw it to the wall.
C) Screw through the face of the plasma directly to the studs and return the articulating arm
D) Buy 2 rolls of duct tape and fasten bracket securely to the wall.

NOTE: If you chose either C or D, keep small kids and dogs away and immediately notify you insurance carrirer of an impending claim.

Yes, I've read that suggestion many times over. Definately sound advice, but Ilike taking up these projects around my home. Keeps me busy.

Why not center on a stud, drill new holes in center of bracket run bolts thru new holes and use 6 Hilti togglers on orginal 6 mounting holes.

Have you ever seen how much downward force is applied to the end of an articulating mount from a 50" 125 lb. plasma? I would not trust toggles to hold it in place. Hell, I had a job where we mounted a 50" Fujitsu to the Omnimount, and the hex heads that hold it in place for the tilt snapped after only 12 hrs. Hire a professional, or be prepared to replace your wall, mount, and oh yea, plasma shortly.

Not a great idea, Mark. Think about what happens to the loading if the plasma is out from the wall and angled across the room. The single stud you've mounted the assembly to is now being torqued in an S, as well as being pulled out from the wall. Drywall screw pops will be the first sign of impending plasma doom. When little pips of drywall mud go flying across the room you will have your cue to get the pets and kiddies out of the way.

It seems the plywood idea is the favored. Would it really hold? Before my post I was thinking of bolting a piece of 2" red oak between the studs and bolting the mount to the oak or one side of the mount all the way through the oak and into the stud and bolting the other end just to the oak. Since reading through the forums I also considered adding a bolt to the top of the mount and bottom. A post I read mentioned the wall plate bending from the top with a 50" plasma, I figured why risk it even though mine is just a 42".

So are there any other ideas?

You could just push the thing off your kitchen counter or something, and that way not mess up your wall.

Or, do the smart thing and brace the wall. Be prepared to do some drywall work and get things real dusty, but if you want to do it right, this is going to be your only option. 24" spacing provides its own set of problems to start with, better deal with them the right way the first time or you are going to pay for it down the road.

Even as fun as the kitchen counter idea seems, I think I'll pass. Perhaps when I am ready to upgrade the 42 incher can go off the roof of my building along with the mount. We'll see how much duct tape it takes to hold a 42" plasma on the side of a Pre-war building. I'll even invite you to the show.

For now, what would it take to brace the wall enough for this plasma to stay up there? Apparently, you don't think oak between the 2 studs is enough. I don't mind drywall work at all, but what would I have to do? The walls are made of about 2" of plaster. Would I have to tear down that section?

This message was edited by Iago on 10/21/05 17:28 ET.

Alright already. Here's what you need to do. Figure out a type of wood that matches your decor. Might be maple, oak, cherry, whatever. Go see your local custom cabinet builder and get a piece of 3/4" cabinet grade birch plywood and make a backpanel that:
A) securely fastens to (2) studs but preferably (3).
B) Leaves a reveal of 2", 3" or whatever you think looks nice around the top, bottom and sides of the plasma.

Then, wrap that piece of plywood in a veneered piece of plywood in the wood species you chose. Get this from your cabinet builder too. A little trim, in the same species of wood, around the edges and viola. A custom install that matches your decor and a plasma panel that might just stay in place.

Now, BEFORE installing the plywood, run any cables you might be needing ie coax, component video cables, whatever. You can cut the drywall/plaster as the plywood will cover them up. Hell, you might even want an electrician to show up so you don't have a power cord dangling down the wall. Have him install a Panamax in wall to power the panel.

When your all done it will have the custom look and a safe install.

And you thought your local custom installer just hooked it up and skated out with big money in his pocket. THIS is why we are custom installers. Custom solutions for professional looking results.

Hope this helps.

You should quit your day job and work on getting a series on Comedy Central. You might have a future outside of all this A/V stuff.

Carl: You really kill me with some of the stuff you come up with. Hilarious!

Iago: IMO, cut the dry wall about 36" wide where you want to mount hte bracket. Now you will haeve both studs showing. Take multiple 2x10 or 2x12's and stack them on top of each other. Make sure they are cut to 24". So they are now the same sthickness as the wall or less, depending on whether they used 2x4 or 2x6 framing. Screw them together using a counter sink bit if you have to , also use liquid nail. Now place them inside the wall, and pre drill them first, then screw them in with 3" Deck screws. Put the dry wall back up, mud,call it a day. Now you will be mounting the plasma mount onto a 2x10 that is doubled up in thickness, and you won't have any problems bringing the plamsa all the way out.

This is alot to do for a newbie, I would suggest trying to find a company to put it up. If the TV falls, you have a funked up TV, wall, cables, floor, bracket, etc. Its not worth the extra money you will save.

Mike

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa.... Did you say 2" of Plaster - As in Plaster Lath Walls? If you are, you are talking a completely different approach.