supra_aero Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Probably the most basic DIY q. ever, but I am fairly hopeless at this. I want to put up two screws to mount something. Normally you'd drill 2 holes and hammer in wall plugs, screw in the screws and bobs your uncle. Problem arises that the wall has something behind it (some metal girder or something?), which stops the drill going any further than about 3/4 of an inch deep. I really want to put up my screws in these locations though, to support a projector screen. Any advice on alternative ways to achieve my goal? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 No more nails! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 No more nails! If I use that will it be permanently stuck on the wall ? I am taking that projector with me when I move house (Thanks tooquicktostop btw - works superbly - my friends are very jealous) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Actually you were right Gaz http://www.makingdiyeasier.co.uk/unibond/nomorenails-removable.html Sorted - thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHandy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Probably the most basic DIY q. ever, but I am fairly hopeless at this. I want to put up two screws to mount something. Normally you'd drill 2 holes and hammer in wall plugs, screw in the screws and bobs your uncle. Problem arises that the wall has something behind it (some metal girder or something?), which stops the drill going any further than about 3/4 of an inch deep. I really want to put up my screws in these locations though, to support a projector screen. Any advice on alternative ways to achieve my goal? Thanks in advance Picture of location you wish to fix to please. i suspect this is above a window for you to be hitting steel but this could also be a wall that has been removed and supported with a steel gurder. Have you thought about mounting it from the cealing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Picture of location you wish to fix to please. i suspect this is above a window for you to be hitting steel but this could also be a wall that has been removed and supported with a steel gurder. Have you thought about mounting it from the cealing? It's actually a very unusual wall I want it mounted to. Best way to describe it is its almost like a concrete beam which runs along the top of the flat through it. Just so happens in the bedroom its alongside the wall opposite the main window. Not sure if that helps you visualize. Being a total novice with DIY I was always scared drilling into the ceiling; 1) I'd get dust in my eye 2) I'd drill through and start a leak !! I am assuming ceilings are fairly thick, there is no attic or what have you. I just hope that hard as nails will hold it - the screen must weigh about 7-10kgs, but spans about 1.5meters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHandy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 It's actually a very unusual wall I want it mounted to. Best way to describe it is its almost like a concrete beam which runs along the top of the flat through it. Just so happens in the bedroom its alongside the wall opposite the main window. Not sure if that helps you visualize. Being a total novice with DIY I was always scared drilling into the ceiling; 1) I'd get dust in my eye 2) I'd drill through and start a leak !! I am assuming ceilings are fairly thick, there is no attic or what have you. I just hope that hard as nails will hold it - the screen must weigh about 7-10kgs, but spans about 1.5meters. Your cealing should have studs in just borrow a stud locator and you can screw through the plaster directly in to the wood and roberts your farthers brother! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hey, Gonna try and give you a hand here pal. Don't take offense to anything if its comes across as obvious and/or patronising just trying to cover all bases. As an electrician and keen DIY I think i may be able to help. A widescreen pic of your projector location on the wall may help but will try and offer advice blind for now! A few things to consider before drilling (too late I know! but please read for future hole drilling reference). Does the projector screen weigh much (>10kg), if so you will need heavier fixings than plastic wall/rawl plugs more like wall/rawl bolts which are about 100mm deep. If its lighter then 10kg plastic rawl/wall plugs are fine if you can drill to the required depth. Are your fixings inline with any electrical accessory? By this I mean look at your drilled holes and imagining a vertical and horizonal strip (look up/down and left/right level with your holes) and see if that line passes over a wall socket or light switch or fused spur, if so you may have drilled through the plaster and may be hitting metal capping that protects the mains cables feeding an electrical accessory! You could try to borrow/buy one of those metal stud locator things (mini-metal detector less than 10 bob from DIY store) to make sure your holes aren't running over water pipes or electrical wires, last thing you want is a leak but its more preferable than a bang and waking up on the other side of the room! Ok assuming the above is correct and no hidden cables or pipes are funning behide your holes then it could be that the drill you are using isn't a hammer/percussion drill? If so then you may have drilled the plaster and redering normally 3/4 to an inch thick on the average wall and are hitting the brick/block work behind. A normal drill won't get through this (Also here's a thought are you using a masonary bit specifically designed to drill brick/concrete) So assuming the above paragraph is true you need the appropriate masonry bit and a hammer drill, befriend a neighbour or mate to borrow their hammer drill if its red rawl plugs you need a 5.5mm masonry drill bit then you will piss going through the wall, watch out if its internal you don't drill all the way through! A quick tip is to measure what depth and put some coloured tape on the drill bit at the required depth once the wall touches the tape on the bit you know that the hole is deep enough. As an afterthought how high are your holes they are not above (on a load bearing wall) a doorway, if so you may be hitting the reinforcing bars or the door lintel (supporting solid concrete with internal metal rods to transfer the loads stresses onto either side of the door). Ok help this helps, its a lot of info just to drill a few holes, think I need to put my typing pinkies into some cold water! Any other questions feel free to ask. Budd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hey, Gonna try and give you a hand here pal. Don't take offense to anything if its comes across as obvious and/or patronising just trying to cover all bases. As an electrician and keen DIY I think i may be able to help. A widescreen pic of your projector location on the wall may help but will try and offer advice blind for now! A few things to consider before drilling (too late I know! but please read for future hole drilling reference). Does the projector screen weigh much (>10kg), if so you will need heavier fixings than plastic wall/rawl plugs more like wall/rawl bolts which are about 100mm deep. If its lighter then 10kg plastic rawl/wall plugs are fine if you can drill to the required depth. Are your fixings inline with any electrical accessory? By this I mean look at your drilled holes and imagining a vertical and horizonal strip (look up/down and left/right level with your holes) and see if that line passes over a wall socket or light switch or fused spur, if so you may have drilled through the plaster and may be hitting metal capping that protects the mains cables feeding an electrical accessory! You could try to borrow/buy one of those metal stud locator things (mini-metal detector less than 10 bob from DIY store) to make sure your holes aren't running over water pipes or electrical wires, last thing you want is a leak but its more preferable than a bang and waking up on the other side of the room! Ok assuming the above is correct and no hidden cables or pipes are funning behide your holes then it could be that the drill you are using isn't a hammer/percussion drill? If so then you may have drilled the plaster and redering normally 3/4 to an inch thick on the average wall and are hitting the brick/block work behind. A normal drill won't get through this (Also here's a thought are you using a masonary bit specifically designed to drill brick/concrete) So assuming the above paragraph is true you need the appropriate masonry bit and a hammer drill, befriend a neighbour or mate to borrow their hammer drill if its red rawl plugs you need a 5.5mm masonry drill bit then you will piss going through the wall, watch out if its internal you don't drill all the way through! A quick tip is to measure what depth and put some coloured tape on the drill bit at the required depth once the wall touches the tape on the bit you know that the hole is deep enough. As an afterthought how high are your holes they are not above (on a load bearing wall) a doorway, if so you may be hitting the reinforcing bars or the door lintel (supporting solid concrete with internal metal rods to transfer the loads stresses onto either side of the door). Ok help this helps, its a lot of info just to drill a few holes, think I need to put my typing pinkies into some cold water! Any other questions feel free to ask. Budd Does help loads thank you very much (and John). Yes I have the electrical thingy which checks for pipes/wires and there aren't any. I will weigh the screen tonight - its definitely near the 10kg mark, +/- one or two. And yes the holes I was drilling are above the doorway height so it sounds like I am hitting the reinforcement bars. I do have a hammer drill and I was using the masonary drill part (my friend who was there advised which tip to use). Hmmm..seems I a little scuppered. - Hard as nails no good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Your cealing should have studs in just borrow a stud locator and you can screw through the plaster directly in to the wood and roberts your farthers brother! Missed this. Really? What is a stud - I only know of a different type of stud - lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Took so long to type most of the others members beat me to my points! I will never win secretary of the year *sniff*. Supra aero (if indeed that is your real name ) a picture is worth a thousand words if you could upload a wide angle shot or projector location preferably with a bikini clad beauty pointing car show stylee it would be much appreciated and we should be able to resolve your problem quicker oh and a pic of the mounting plate on the projector would help to or a link the manufactures site. Budd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHandy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Missed this. Really? What is a stud - I only know of a different type of stud - lol. This is a dorma room without palster.... see what i mean? Edit: the big wood bits are the studs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Stud locator like is a lightweight hand held mini metal detector, picks up any metalwork (pipes, metal capping, screws, and nails etc) handy when drilling holes so you know where not to drill, but if its a load bearing wall/beam i doubt anything it will pick up will be more than the metal reinforcing rods, again pics would help, don't forget the bikini clad lady it focussed my short attension span! Budd Sorry missed the point you know what a stud locator is and john has answered your question regarding studs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul372 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 need to see a pic really mate to see what your fixing into then i can help you out, use an SDS drill bit masonry drill bits are crap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 It's actually a very unusual wall I want it mounted to. Best way to describe it is its almost like a concrete beam which runs along the top of the flat through it. Just so happens in the bedroom its alongside the wall opposite the main window. Sounds like its a reinforcing girder surrounded by concrete or its a mahoosive lintel either way its probably the metal rods you are hitting, best bet go with John's reply and use a stud locator to ceiling mount it to the ceiling joists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Thanks a lot guys - now I get what a stud is. I'll get a photo done tonight and upload so its clearer. Definitely a metal thing like that covered in concrete stopping me drilling it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul372 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 it sounds like its probably just a concrete lintel and your hitting the reinforcing metal rods inside the lintel need to see pic really to be sure use an sds drill bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Will upload tonight. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHandy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 John where in Essex are you? I might ask you to come around my flat and do some handy works for a fee if you wouldn't mind Maybe what did you have in mind?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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