Wall mount screws for TV mount?

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pete6032

pete6032

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I bought a TV from a classified ad and the TV came with a wall mount kit, but the previous owner did not have the bolts/screws needed to attach the mount to the wall. The wall mount is already bolted to the television. The TV is 32 inches LED and I want to mount it to drywall. Anyone know what I need to achieve this? Do I need to mount into stud with screws or can I use screws with drywall anchor or do I need toggle bolts?
 
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Greenman

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Oct 15, 1999
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You need to hit at least 1 stud, 2 would be better. 1/4" x 2 1/2" lags will do the trick. Even #12 x 3" screws would do it.
 
herm0016

herm0016

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Feb 26, 2005
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the screw in plastic anchors would be fine. maybe 6 of them. toggles would be fine as well. my favorite are the zip tie type anchors. yes, a stud is better, you should use a screw that is about 1.5 inches long max if you think there are wires or water lines in the wall near your spot.
 
mindless1

mindless1

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Aug 11, 2001
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How much does it weigh? If semi-modern, I'd think about 20lbs or less, and you could get away with basic, little drywall anchors. I mean the cheap, ribbed (circumferential not longitudinal ribs) plastic tap-in type, as long as you drill the hole only large enough, not oversized. This assumes at least a 3 point attachment to wall. In context, those can have ratings of about 25+lbs each for #6 screw sized, or higher still if using the larger ones made for #8 or #10 screws, so a pretty big margin.

Above approx 30lbs, or if it were a more valuable, bigger/new TV, I'd want the larger screw in anchors since the cost increase isn't much, OR to hit a stud on one side, if that didn't put it too far to one side or the other compared to where I wanted it.
 
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sdifox

sdifox

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Sep 30, 2005
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Screw a piece of plywood or two stick of wood to two studs then mount tv on plywood/wood if you have an offset issue.
 
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mindless1

mindless1

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^ Sure but 32" TV... bought used... probably not worth the bother. I was being generous when I estimated 20lbs, they're more like 10lbs these days.

www.homedepot.com

Cobra TripleGrip # 8 Grey Anchor and Screws (2-Piece) 171SD - The Home Depot

The TripleGrip is 1 of the most technologically advanced anchors on the market. It is designed with 2 expandable wings that grip tightly behind the drywall for a maximum holding power. Its advanced cam
www.homedepot.com

Assuming at least a 4 point mount from bracket to wall, even if the holes aren't precisely aligned, at a minimum two fasteners would be supporting the majority of the weight, (other two as backup) and rated at 2 fasteners x 35lbs ea. = 70lbs. Note: They copy/pasted a 29lb spec from their #6 screw anchors erroneously, the #8 are 35lb. ea. Not that it really matters, #6 anchors would be plenty for ~10lb TV too.
 
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Greenman

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Oct 15, 1999
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mindless1 said:
^ Sure but 32" TV... bought used... probably not worth the bother. I was being generous when I estimated 20lbs, they're more like 10lbs these days.

www.homedepot.com

Cobra TripleGrip # 8 Grey Anchor and Screws (2-Piece) 171SD - The Home Depot

The TripleGrip is 1 of the most technologically advanced anchors on the market. It is designed with 2 expandable wings that grip tightly behind the drywall for a maximum holding power. Its advanced cam
www.homedepot.com

Assuming at least a 4 point mount from bracket to wall, even if the holes aren't precisely aligned, at a minimum two fasteners would be supporting the majority of the weight, (other two as backup) and rated at 2 fasteners x 35lbs ea. = 70lbs. Note: They copy/pasted a 29lb spec from their #6 screw anchors erroneously, the #8 are 35lb. ea. Not that it really matters, #6 anchors would be plenty for ~10lb TV too.
Click to expand...
32" tv pretty much has to cross a stud. It doesn't make sense not to use it.
 
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mindless1

mindless1

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We'd need more info. I'd only get a TV as small as 32" if there was limited space available. If there's plenty of wiggle room to shift it left or right, then a larger TV might fit. Granted, depending on the design of the bracket, might be able to drill new mount holes for alignment instead of moving it left or right to hit a stud.

I could counter and state it doesn't make much sense to go for something more than using anchors alone when they can support multiple times the weight of the TV.

Where would it end if everything needed to be over-engineered that much? The mounting bracket probably isn't, nor the housing of the TV. If you hit the TV with a sledge hammer, it is more likely to break into pieces before it comes off the wall.
 
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pete6032

pete6032

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mindless1 said:
How much does it weigh? If semi-modern, I'd think about 20lbs or less, and you could get away with basic, little drywall anchors.
Click to expand...
The TV weighs 11.7 lbs. The part of the mount that attaches to the wall has two screw holes aligned vertically.
 
mindless1

mindless1

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pete6032 said:
The TV weighs 11.7 lbs. The part of the mount that attaches to the wall has two screw holes aligned vertically.
Click to expand...
I'd just use tap in anchors with the wings that flip out once tightened, like that $1.25 pack I linked previously. Others would go the extra mile to support 200lbs by screwing into studs. Your call. It'll work either way.
 
Brainonska511

Brainonska511

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Dec 10, 2005
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mindless1 said:
I'd just use tap in anchors with the wings that flip out once tightened, like that $1.25 pack I linked previously. Others would go the extra mile to support 200lbs by screwing into studs. Your call. It'll work either way.
Click to expand...
My parents got a wall mount for their TV that came with some cheap tap in anchors. Those things were absolute garbage. They started to spin in their holes as I screwed in the bolts. Went to the local HD and picked up a set of this type of screw in anchors (I think the ones I got were for a little larger hole/higher weight rating) that worked fantastically.
 
mindless1

mindless1

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^ I'd suspect the holes were drilled too large. In drywall I like to use a bit a tad smaller than the diameter of the anchor, as the hole can end up a little oversized. You can always use the next size up bit if it's too tight a fit. Anchor then gets tapped into the hole with a hammer.

Then again as you stated, might just be garbage anchors.
 
Brainonska511

Brainonska511

Lifer
Dec 10, 2005
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mindless1 said:
^ I'd suspect the holes were drilled too large. In drywall I like to use a bit a tad smaller than the diameter of the anchor, as the hole can end up a little oversized. You can always use the next size up bit if it's too tight a fit. Anchor then gets tapped into the hole with a hammer.

Then again as you stated, might just be garbage anchors.
Click to expand...
I drilled the holes per the directions. In retrospect, a slightly smaller than specified drill bit may have been a better choice. Either way, the screw in anchors felt more secure and gave me piece of mind.
 
deadlyapp

deadlyapp

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Apr 25, 2004
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Brainonska511 said:
I drilled the holes per the directions. In retrospect, a slightly smaller than specified drill bit may have been a better choice. Either way, the screw in anchors felt more secure and gave me piece of mind.
Click to expand...
I like the screw in anchors a lot, but mostly because I’m lazy and don’t want to get out a second tool.
 
Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lost_in_the_HTTP

Lifer
Nov 17, 2019
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As I said on the other similar thread, never use any form of push in anchor for anything that even might have any pull out or tilt force. For anything that will exceed about 5 pounds, I always hit at least one stud with a substantial screw or lag.
 
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