How to DIY a TV bracket on the wall?

There are several ways to place a TV in an apartment. One of them is wall mounting with a bracket. This method will help save space in the room and modernize the design a little. The price of fasteners is high, but it is possible to make it yourself.

Basic requirements for mounting a TV

All modern plasma TVs require the use of a VESA bracket. These are the mounts that come with the device, but are sold separately. Manufactured to match the mounting distances on the back of the TV.

These are four holes together forming a square or elongated rectangle.

To install the TV on thick load-bearing walls, it is better to buy steel dowels. For partitions made of foam block or cinder block, it is recommended to take fasteners made of propylene. The circumference of the screws used is not less than 4 mm. Depending on the type of load-bearing wall, the deepening can be:

• 10 mm for concrete walls;
• 30 mm for brick partitions;
• 50 mm for a foam block wall.

These requirements do not apply to walls made of plasterboard. The fact is that they are not characterized by high bearing capacity. In the case when the sheets fit snugly against the main wall, you can install the TV on the bracket directly on the wall.

It is not recommended to install the TV on a plasterboard wall if the sheets are fixed to the frame and the sheathing thickness is less than 12 mm.

Manufacturing methods and types

There are several options for making the bracket. The choice is made based on imagination, budget and skill. It is easiest to create fixed and rotary structures at home.

Fixed Wall Bracket Structures

Fixed and rigid construction. Often the name is fixed. The bracket fits snugly against the wall and fixes the plasma as securely as possible, since it does not contain a swivel mechanism.

The TV will be located 10-20 cm from the surface of the partition, after installation it will not work to turn it.

The advantages of this design:

• low cost of materials required for the manufacture;
• security;
• ease of installation.

Disadvantages:

• there is no way to adjust the position of the plasma panel;
• access to wires and connectors is limited.

Such brackets can be made independently of wood or metal. After choosing wood, purchase the following components:

• Wooden slats – at least two pieces. The main requirement is that the wood species must be hard. Approximately 15 cm longer than the back cover of the TV. Make the top rail slightly thicker than the bottom one. You need it to tilt.
• Special self-tapping screws for wood with rings.
• Hooks.
• Dowels made of polypropylene.

Procedure for creating a bracket from wood:

1. Screw 2 self-tapping screws into the upper edges of the wooden slats, on which the rings are fixed.
2. Mount the pieces of wood on the back cover of the plasma display. There are holes for installation on the body. Mount the rail, which has a thickening, to the top of the TV. Attach the second rail, which is slightly smaller, to the bottom of the device.
3. Measure the intervals between the self-tapping rings horizontally and vertically. Mark the installation points of the hooks on the wall.
4. Drill holes at the marked points and insert dowels with hooks. Hang the TV using the rings on the slats.

To make a metal mount you will need:

• aluminum corners 4 units;
• a spoke from a bicycle wheel with a circumference of 2 mm in the amount of 1 piece;
• fasteners, you can take dowels, screws or bolts.

The size of the corners, fasteners and the type of parts depend on the individual characteristics of the plasma panel.

Algorithm for creating a metal bracket:

1. Take two corners and fix to the back of the TV. The step is the same as in the case of a wooden bracket. Mount 2 more corners to the wall using dowels.
2. On aluminum products, drill holes for dowels and additionally in the upper area, it is needed for the knitting needle.
3. Connect the corners located on the wall in such a way that the first ones go into the cavity of the others.
4. Insert a knitting needle into the holes located on top of the corners. It is necessary for the TV to be held vertically.

If the TV is heavy or large, then it is better to take a steel spoke.

Swivel structures – great freedom of action

Popular bracket model. By placing the TV on such a mount, it can be moved, rotated or tilted. The advantages of this mount:

• ease of use;
• the ability to arrange the plasma panel based on personal preferences;
• attractive appearance.

Disadvantages:

• some components are relatively expensive;
• difficult to install the TV.

It is impossible to create a fully functional movable holder on your own without specialized equipment and great knowledge. It will only be possible to make a good imitation of the movable bracket. To create you need:

• square iron tube or square profile, section 20 × 20 mm;
• corners of 4 units measuring 25 mm;
• iron square plates 200 × 200 mm in the amount of 2 pieces;
• bolts;
• washers and nuts;
• dowels;
• hacksaw with a blade for metal;
• electric drill;
• drills for working with metal;
• spray gun or brush;
• predominantly black paint for coating metal structures.

Sequence of work:

1. Take one iron plate, drill holes for dowels in the corners. There should be 4 holes.
2. On the second plate, make holes that will match the holes on the back of the plasma panel.
3. Divide the square profile into 3 components. The first is for fixing the bracket to the wall, the second is for connecting the elements, the third is for fixing the TV itself. The dimensions of the parts depend on what design the bracket should have at the outlet.
4. Cover all the elements with paint.
5. After the paint has dried in the middle of the fixing plates, bolt 2 corners each. The distance between them is the ability for the square profile to move calmly. Please note that the corners should be placed horizontally on the metal wall tile and vertically on the TV holder.
6. Fix the pieces of the square profile between the corners using bolts. First, drill holes in them with an electric drill, placing washers between the tube and the corners.
7. Place the central piece of pipe at the bottom between the fastening pipes and connect them with bolts of the optimal length.
8. Fasten the strapped square slabs to the wall with dowels and bolts. Attach the bracket to the plasma display.
9. Adjust the angle of the TV and tighten the nuts securely.

The manufacture of a swivel bracket is shown in the video:

Helpful hints

There are many nuances in making a bracket yourself and installing a TV on it. To reduce the likelihood of making a mistake, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with useful recommendations from experienced craftsmen:

• Read the plasma display user manual. Some models cannot be wall-mounted. The manufacturer writes about this in the corresponding document.
• When making a mount and installing a TV, choose a location based on the fact that the TV needs to be ventilated.
• If it is impossible to provide ventilation, then make a niche that will be much larger than the device itself.
• Make sure the TV does not overheat.
• Do not install the TV on a wall with electrical wires. First, find out where exactly the cable runs. There are special tools for this: indicators, detectors, metal detectors.
• The corner of the wall is not the most successful place to install a TV. This situation increases the risk of mechanical damage to the TV. Also, do not mount the bracket between wall shelves.
• Mount the holder in a sturdy wall that will not decompose or crumble. Otherwise, the bolts or dowel may fall out over time.
• It is best to place the plasma display in close proximity to electrical outlets. So it will be possible to hide the wires without any problems.
• Keep in mind that expensive equipment will be held on the bracket, so choose high-quality components for fastening.

A wall-mounted TV bracket is the best way to mount your plasma display. This way you can save space in the room. There are several types of such fasteners, but their price is high. It is possible to make a wall bracket yourself, but adhering to a certain algorithm.