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30 votes
Accepted

What are these metal strips on our garage walls for?

Those are hurricane clips or straps. I'd imagine that there are more than these two, and that they're spaced evenly around the walls. That wooden rail at the top of the brick work is called a "...
FreeMan's user avatar
  • 48k
20 votes

What are these metal strips on our garage walls for?

This is a wall plate strap: source It's designed to stop vertical movement of the timber wall plate beam the connects the roof to the wall. The wall plate is mortared to the top of the wall, but ...
user1908704's user avatar
  • 1,581
15 votes

Securing a glass set of shelves to a glass wall

If we let OP do the parenting and focus on attaching a tube to glass in a harsh outdoor environment: Get a security anchor base plate AKA "cable lock anchor". The linked one is just an ...
jay613's user avatar
  • 45.3k
12 votes
Accepted

Are there brackets/braces like this?

There are "outside corner" brackets, for instance Simpson Strong-Tie RTA 16-Gauge ZMAX Galvanized Rigid Tie Angle for 2x Joist/Post Model # RTA2Z|Store SKU # 1000170525, from homedepot.com ...
P2000's user avatar
  • 16.1k
11 votes

How can I hit studs and avoid cables when installing a TV mount?

Although you TV set may be light enough so that wall anchors will support the weight they may pull loose when the set gets re-positioned and adjusted. Always try to secure the mount to a framing ...
ojait's user avatar
  • 11.1k
11 votes

Electrical box too small/incompatible with mounting plate

The inner set of slots should line up with your box screws, no need to drill the mounting. They are slots so the mounting can be rotated, and you can turn it 180 degrees if the end of the slots don't ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 226k
9 votes

Electrical box too small/incompatible with mounting plate

The ground wire needs to go to the steel box first. Somewhere in the back of the box should be a hole tapped #10-32 for a ground screw a lot like that one. Route the ground wire so it makes a "U&...
Harper - Reinstate Monica's user avatar
8 votes

How can I hit studs and avoid cables when installing a TV mount?

Personally I've never had much luck with electronic stud finders. Other techniques that work for me: Use a magnet out of an old hard drive to locate nails/screws. Find one then search up and down ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 11.7k
8 votes

Are there brackets/braces like this?

Assuming you want a metal bracket, not injection molded plastic. The trouble with the bracket shape you've given is that it requires welding to fabricate. It can't be created simply by shearing and ...
Greg Hill's user avatar
  • 33.3k
8 votes

Securing a glass set of shelves to a glass wall

silicone. that's how aquariums are put together, sheets of glass are joined with silicone at the edges. You can always test it yourself: silicone each of those three pieces of glass to the wall, and ...
Leo Lansford's user avatar
7 votes

Securing a glass set of shelves to a glass wall

Ignoring the context and answering the question strictly as asked, consider attaching it to the ground instead of to the glass wall. It's hard to discern materials from the photo, but the legs look ...
bta's user avatar
  • 2,038
6 votes
Accepted

Use 10 inch network patch panel with 19 inch switch

The most obvious thing is to get a patch panel designed for a 19" rack or one that comes with an adapter plate. If you have your heart set on using the patch panel that you have then you would be ...
Michael Karas's user avatar
  • 66.5k
6 votes
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Stair Handrail loose, but not due to screws loose

A cardboard or soft aluminium (from a drink can) shim sounds like an excellent solution to the problem. You want it just thick enough that the screws into the handrail cause the loop to grip tightly ...
Martin Bonner supports Monica's user avatar
6 votes

How can I hit studs and avoid cables when installing a TV mount?

1 - Absolutely yes. Use a stud finder. 2 - No. 3 - Don't. A stud finder will help you again. Look vertically to see if you have an outlet directly below where you're drilling or above as that's an ...
sheetmetal85's user avatar
5 votes

Identification of unique DIY floating shelf bracket

They're called "custom-made brackets, specifically for this product". Otherwise known as "bespoke". You should be able to buy one of these from the company, dismantle it, and send a specimen to a ...
Harper - Reinstate Monica's user avatar
5 votes

How can I hit studs and avoid cables when installing a TV mount?

Def. use a stud finder. I have something like this and it also alerts me to electrical cables. Like another poster said, just sheetrock is NOT strong enough to mount a TV to. You'll end up with a ...
George Anderson's user avatar
4 votes
Accepted

Is it advisable to mount an outdoor air-conditioner on a wall with brackets?

An air conditioner can be installed on pretty much any brick, concrete or block wall. As long as it is installed properly, there is no issues to it falling or structural integrity of the building. Air ...
Mnc123's user avatar
  • 947
4 votes
Accepted

Should I fasten brackets to the wall or desktop first?

As you're just asking about which order to attach the pieces, and not different methods, there is very little difference. Mounting the brackets to the wall first may make it easier to ensure you hit ...
mmathis's user avatar
  • 8,911
4 votes

In what orientation should this L-bracket be when hanging shelves?

The long leg goes against the wall. You can do it the other way, but it won't be as strong.
Ali B's user avatar
  • 41
4 votes

Electrical box too small/incompatible with mounting plate

Those round mounting plates are primarily intended for use with round or octagonal fixture boxes. Some are usable with standard switch/outlet boxes, and some are not. The mounting hole distance of ...
kreemoweet's user avatar
  • 4,014
4 votes

Shelves into single metal stud. Is it possible?

My recommendation here is the same as for a TV: Cut a piece of plywood long enough to attach to two studs. Paint the plywood to match the rest of the wall. Even if you don't end up with an exact ...
manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact's user avatar
3 votes

In what orientation should this L-bracket be when hanging shelves?

The long part goes against the wall, under the shelf. The length of the actual bracket under the shelf should be three quarters the width of the shelf.
Roger's user avatar
  • 31
3 votes

Correct orientation for t-shaped shelf bracket to minimize stress on anchor bolts

Whether the 2" side up or the 4" side up, it doesn't matter in terms of the stress on the bolt. We can do a simple analysis as below. In the figure below your T-shaped bracket in drawn in blue while ...
user12075's user avatar
  • 393
3 votes
Accepted

Removable Bracket for Wood

How about a "T Nut"? Drill a hole for the central threaded part, then knock it in so the teeth grip & hold.
brhans's user avatar
  • 7,248
3 votes
Accepted

What is recommended method for mounting chandelier canopy that has 2 screws?

After you figure out the spacing of the bolts hanging down, you thread a nut on the bolts on the side of the bracket opposite the heads. Cinch down the nuts, check the alignment. If okay, install the ...
bib's user avatar
  • 33.9k
3 votes
Accepted

How do I install a countertop with a large overhang without using a corbel or post?

I have gone through this on about 20 installs and have gotten better from my first ones. The thicker the L-bracket the better. A lot of time the big box doesn't sell ones that are made for ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 50.4k
3 votes

Is 11 - 12 inches of overhang on a shelf too much?

As long as you don't heavily load the shelf you should be fine. Make sure that you hit the studs when you install the shelf brackets. The brackets should have a load rating on them. Use properly sized ...
HoneyDo's user avatar
  • 9,225
3 votes
Accepted

Is 11 - 12 inches of overhang on a shelf too much?

The issues with shelves are sag and safety. Given 11" overhang and the bracket spacing you are at extremely (maybe none) low risk for sag. Two feet isn't really a wide enough space for a board ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 50.4k
3 votes

How to mount this sink?

This hangs by the 3 "screws"... However I have seen sinks like this twice in my life and they were both being supported by BOLTS. Either with a BAS (big ass screw) or BAB you will for sure ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 50.4k
3 votes
Accepted

TV mounting bracket removal

If it's anything like the one I have lying around, the bar just pulls straight out (parallel to the wall and away from the center of the television). (Via https://www.sanus.com/assets/products/vmpl2/...
mjbraun's user avatar
  • 138

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