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(Probably) Dumb question about TV mounts

2,566 4,569 October 25, 2011 at 07:06 PM
I'm planning on putting a TV in an unfinished part of the basement above a treadmill. There is no wall to mount it on, so I'd like to use an arm attached to one of the joists that run across the basement.
The joists are 1 5/8" thick and about 7" in height. The TV isn't going to be too big or too heavy but I'd like to know if these dimensions are likely to be compatible with a mount, and whether a mount in this scenario (i.e. not just the arm extending out perpendicular to the wall, but holding the TV in a lower position than the mount) is possible.

Any pointers on where to start my research would be appreciated.
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tannersarms
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> bubble2 5,532 Posts
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flea
10-25-2011 at 07:21 PM.
10-25-2011 at 07:21 PM.
I'm guessing you want a ceiling mount like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/...K92H9WFS7T

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tannersarms
10-25-2011 at 07:40 PM.
10-25-2011 at 07:40 PM.
Possibly. I hadn't thought of a ceiling mount as I'm not sure how thick the basement ceiling is - like I mentioned, it's not finished, whereas I know the dimensions of the joists that I can see. I thought there'd be some sort of mount with two points of articulation, almost like a Z shape.

But thanks for the pointer, hadn't even thought of that as an option, I'll read up on the requirements for installation tomorrow and see if I have the room.
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> bubble2 2,829 Posts
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Beartrkkr
10-25-2011 at 08:34 PM.
10-25-2011 at 08:34 PM.
Those 2x8 joists will be more than adequate for supporting a flat screen TV on a ceiling mount like pictured above. Just mount the ceiling mount like pictured above directly to one of the joists.
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> bubble2 11,113 Posts
adams135
10-26-2011 at 09:33 AM.
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tannersarms
11-03-2011 at 07:00 AM.
11-03-2011 at 07:00 AM.
I went ahead and bought this [amazon.com] ceiling mount - it seems to be similar to the one flea posted above. However, when I've received it, the screws on the ceiling plate are supposed to go 60mm (2.34") in to the wood of the ceiling. I don't think I've quite got that much, without going in to the hardwood floor above, and the dimensions of the ceiling plate are too big to attach to the beams.

What I'm thinking is to cut a piece of 2x4" of the same length as between the beams, then nail that in place through the beams, with the 2x4 resting flush against the ceiling, thus giving me a bit of a buffer to work with.

Two questions:
1) Would this work?
2) If the beams I'll be nailing through are 1 5/8" thick, ideally what length nails should I buy? Would four be enough (2 on either side) and is there any issue with nailing through the beams just an inch or so from the edge?

Thanks!

Edit: My handyman friend (who I tried getting ahold of before posting but he only just now returned my call) suggested screwing plywood to the underside of the exposed joists, so I'm going to go ahead and do that. I guess in my first post, I used the term joists for what are actually beams, and ideally I'd liked to have attached to the side of the beam, but as this whole thing is for a birthday gift for today, it's too late now!
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Last edited by tannersarms November 3, 2011 at 07:28 AM.
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beefcake78
11-03-2011 at 07:38 AM.
11-03-2011 at 07:38 AM.
Whatever you do don't screw into the "ceiling" of your unfinished basement. This will result in screws in the floor above where you are screwing.

2x4, plywood, or joist, whatever you do don't NAIL it up, SCREW it up.
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tannersarms
11-03-2011 at 09:06 AM.
11-03-2011 at 09:06 AM.
For sure - any time I mentioned nails it would be going horizontal, not expected to directly support any vertical pull
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> bubble2 6,985 Posts
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mmathis
11-03-2011 at 10:22 AM.
11-03-2011 at 10:22 AM.
Go for 3" screws if you're going to put a 2x4 in between the joists ( [floor] joists sit vertically and run all the way across the top of your basement. They are what the floor above sits on). Depending on the size of the mounting plate, you could opt for a 2x6 instead, and use 4 or 6 screws (not nails).

If you're going to put a piece of plywood up spanning 2 joists (i.e., like you would put up a piece of drywall on the ceiling), a 2" or 3" screw would probably adequate, depending on the thickness of the plywood.
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Enjoralas
11-06-2011 at 08:52 AM.
11-06-2011 at 08:52 AM.
If you are putting the wood between the joists and fastening through their horizontal face, use nails. They are stronger than screws. If you are fastening into the joists from below, use screws. The threads give needed resistance to slip.
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