Fixings for attaching a TV to a wall bracket ?

[Nick]

My daughter has asked me to fix a Vogels wall mount bracket in her lounge and then attach her Sony 40" LCD box to the bracket. No problem but I am somewhat concerned about the fixings supplied. The wall is double skin brick/cavity/block. The blocks are very soft, Thermalite or similar I think, and 100mm thick. The fixings supplied are plastic plugs with 8mm screws, 80mm long. These fixings seem to be of decent quality. The fixing centres for the bracket are approx 220mm horizontally x 100mm vertical. The bracket has a single arm that allows the box to swing out up to 90 degrees from the wall. The tv box weighs about 30kgs I'm a bit worried that the weight of the box on the arm will be more than the 4 fixings can support. This is not the sort of thing where you get a second chance !

I was wondering about either more substantial fixings but wouldn't know what to go for (I suppose shield bolts might be an idea), longer screws/plugs like frame fixings or fixing timber to the wall an attaching the bracket but this is the least preferred option.

Any thoughts or ideas please?

Nick.

[Andy Burns]

Have you checked the model of bracket she's got is suitable for the size/weight of the TV?

[MuddyFork]

How about resin fixings?

't used them myself yet, but they often seem to be recommended for fixing to loose or weak materials.

[The Medway Handyman]

I think you are right to be concerned. 30kgs isn't too bad on its own, but if it swings out the diagonal force on the fixing will be huge & if the blocks are soft they will either come out or could break away.

I'd suggest a fixing kit that doesn't swing if thats possible - and one with multiple fixing holes. I've fixed TV's to plasterboard walls before now by using 10 or 12 hollow wall anchors, but the bracket has been around 50cm x

10cm with about 20 holes in two rows.

[Nick]

Of course.

30 - 50 inch. Max. weight 45kgs This is a 40 inch Sony gadget and weighs 30kgs.

[Nick]

Thanks, I'll check them out.. Nick.

[Nick]

Thanks Dave,

I've never heard of hollow wall anchors but will google. It will be possible to drill the bracket to take more fixings, but I fear nothing like 10 or 12. Unfortunately a fixing kit that doesn't swing is a non-runner because of the location.

Thanks for your help,

Nick.

[Invisible Man]

I had a fixing with a swivel arm that was supposed to be good for up to

40" TVs a lot heavier than our 32" Sony. Our block wall held but the arm flexed horribly. The bottom end of the mount has a good 1/8" of packing between it and the wall to balance off the current 28" TV.

As has been said a bracket holding the TV parallel to and close to the wall will exert a lot less leverage on the fixings.

[John Rumm]

One option would be to fix a larger "plate" to the wall first - say 3/4" ply or MDF, and then screw the mount to that. That way you can spread the load and give the fixings more mechanical advantage to counteract the leverage of the bracket. You could also use extra fixings on the plate - say 4 along the top and a couple at the bottom.

[The Medway Handyman]

A use a liberal amount of Gripfil?

[John]

Persuade her that wall mounted TVs are for Chavs only.

[Dave Liquorice]

Yeah, 30kg on the end of a 15 to 20 inch arm has a lot of leverage. The top fixings will be being pulled fairly hard not something many are designed to withstand, shear yes tension no.

Judging by the adverts, insurance companies are finding that out the hard way...