33
votes
Is it okay that my Sony TV power cord replacement has a slot for a third prong that the original doesn't?
The OEM cable does not have a ground or earth connection.
The cable on the right does.
So this will be a safe replacement for the original cable.
The ground connection will not be used and that wire ...
- 21.3k
30
votes
Accepted
Mounted tv too high, OK to use same studs to remount?
Absolutely no problem.
The screws (actually called "lag bolts") bite into the wood immediately around them, and the wood fibers around that hold the bolt in place.
Yes the holes you made already ...
- 25.6k
26
votes
How safe is it to mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
If the TV will be on a pivot arm the answer is absolutely not. If it will be tight to the wall, as you say, and generally nobody will be physically handling the TV (tilting or moving, e.g. to plug in ...
- 17.8k
20
votes
Accepted
Suggestions for HDMI/aerial/audio socket
There are wall plates that are designed for your situation.
Power
For power, you can add the socket as you described.
Low voltage
For HDMI/signal/etc low voltage stuff, there are a number of ...
- 28.3k
20
votes
How safe is it to mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
There's a few things in here so let's cover them one at a time
Can I support a TV mount with only drywall?
If we're talking a modern TV (i.e. a 2015+ 4k TV) then yes. I recently had my living room TV ...
- 20k
19
votes
Can studs be 2-4 inches apart?
Yes. They can be however far apart the builder wants them. I have used 3-4 studs within 16" when doing bathrooms, high traffic corner, in bathrooms for showers... and have installed an extra ...
- 46.2k
17
votes
Is it okay that my Sony TV power cord replacement has a slot for a third prong that the original doesn't?
To answer the question of what these cables are called, they are IEC 60320 (commonly called kettle plugs) connectors. If you take a look at the "Appliance_couplers" section of the linked ...
- 1,047
17
votes
Accepted
Are there any standards/certifications for TV wall mount quality?
The answer would seem to be "Yes." In short, you'll want to look for VESA and UL certifications for monitor/TV mounting brackets.
There are VESA Flat Display Mounting Interface (FDMI) ...
- 3,488
16
votes
How safe is it to mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
Metal studs?
Welcome to the world of the "self-drilling sheet metal screw"
Image from "Albanycountyfasteners.com" never heard of them, not associated in any way.
You don't need ...
- 137k
10
votes
How do I secure a TV wall mount?
Now that I see your photo I'd do this differently. I'd install a vertical cleat just behind the faceframe on each side of the cabinet, maybe 1" back (the thickness of the plate plus 1/4"). I'd then ...
- 106k
10
votes
How do we add structurally sound faux stud for a single stud TV mount?
A bunch of ways to do this. What I would probably do myself, which is not what you are currently planning, is:
Cut a piece of plywood, probably 3/4" thick, 24" tall by ~ 20" (studs 16" apart) or ~ 28"...
10
votes
Mounting a TV above a fireplace
It is a bad idea. TV screens are designed to be viewed basically level from your eyes as you sit in your TV room. If you mount it above the mantel you will forever looking up to see the thing.
The ...
- 61.6k
10
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 ...
- 10.8k
9
votes
Adding an outlet above this metal box
Electrically, you can go either way
Attaching to the push connector or attaching to the backstabs or screws is 3 of one, half dozen of the other.
I mean, backstabs (and push connectors) are known ...
9
votes
Accepted
Is it okay that my Sony TV power cord replacement has a slot for a third prong that the original doesn't?
Is this safe to do?
Yes.
Does the third prong of the new cable interact in any way with the other two?
The third pin is a protective earth connection, some appliances "class 1" require a ...
- 4,202
9
votes
Can studs be 2-4 inches apart?
16 is a typical maximum spacing, there is no restriction on having more, it just may be overbuilt.
It can be quite common to encounter studs that are doubled up or have strange intervals.
Common ...
- 1,632
9
votes
Can studs be 2-4 inches apart?
You are correct to hang a TV (or anything else "heavy") from a stud or other building structural member.
This provides reliable support under static and dynamic loading (think: weight, ...
- 10.3k
8
votes
Can I use toggle bolts to mount a tv on a barnwood wall?
No, you can not mount the TV the way you have described. Since you want the TV to articulate out from the wall, most of the force will be pull-out instead of shear. The barn boards are not attached to ...
- 19k
8
votes
How do we add structurally sound faux stud for a single stud TV mount?
If you insist on opening the wall, which seems rather foolish to me considering the other options available, I wouldn't install a full-height stud. I'd keep the destruction to a minimum and enjoy a ...
- 106k
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 ...
- 7,287
7
votes
Accepted
Would a sheet of aluminum help with mounting a <20lb computer monitor to wall without studs?
Aluminum wont help much, unless it is quite thick. It will bend easily, without distributing the weight evenly over the extra anchors.
If you go with a non articulating mount, so the monitor is ...
- 5,261
7
votes
Accepted
Will 12" studs work for a TV mount designed for 16" stud mounting?
You haven't told us what mount you're referring to, but most aren't designed for specific stud centers. Instead, they have a range of available mounting area (and many will accommodate 24" centers as ...
- 106k
7
votes
Accepted
Why can't I (or: shouldn't I) run a power cord through a wall?
Of course it's illegal to run power cords inside walls. National Electrical Code 400.8 rolls through the things you can't do with cord, and it's mostly a list of schemes to use them as a substitute ...
7
votes
TV mount on wooden studs - what screws to use
I agree with unhandledexcepsean--I would use lag bolts for larger TVs. Some flat screens will be fine with the wood screws through the drywall into the stud not using the plastic expanding anchor. I ...
- 98.2k
7
votes
Wall is ripping after tv mount
That photo is pretty close up but I am almost completely sure that those cracks are screw pops that were caused by your TV mount sandwiching the drywall and pulling it a little closer to the studs ...
- 493
6
votes
Mounted tv too high, OK to use same studs to remount?
According to this source, which unfortunately does not cite its own sources, the following considerations are needed when drilling into studs:
Holes in bearing wall studs (exterior and interior ...
6
votes
Accepted
Can dielectric grease be used in coax connections?
Living and working as a cable television technician in a beachside region, I can attest to the value of the silicone dielectric grease for improving the lifespan of these connections. Salt air eats ...
- 9,391
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 ...
- 313
6
votes
How safe is it to mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
Open up wall where you want to mount the TV, add some wood crossing, re-drywall, install your kit correctly.
I would go so far as adding a full wood "box" so that you have an area parallel ...
- 46.2k
6
votes
Are snap toggles a good way to mount a TV to metal studs?
Use a different bracket
An articulating arm on a single stud is a bad idea. Maybe if it's mounted very well in a wood stud with four 1/4 inch lag screws, maybe. Definitely not on a metal stud and ...
- 17.8k
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