Mounting a TV on 3D marble

[malcolmk14]

We have a 55" Samsung and would like to mount it above our fireplace. Everything runs really nicely through a conduit so it's a clean solution, the only real problem is figuring out how to mount the TV. We have 3D marble, so a stud finder is having a really hard time finding studs. Hoping for some input or advice, I might just call someone to come do it!

http://imgur.com/K20yDgg

http://imgur.com/nCflel6

Apparently I forgot how to direct link photos.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Well those boxes are almost certaily on either side of a stud, so use that as a starting point and measure out from there.

[OMG!WTF!]

Would toggle bolts work? You drill a hole through the marble and a bolt with "wings", spring loaded flanges, pops through the hole. The wings open up behind the drywall and you tighten the bracket down. A stud would be nice though. There is most likely a stud in the middle of your two outlets. A best guess would put other studs 16 inches on either side. If you can sneak a small drill bit or nail between the tiles you could check for studs. But I don't think the toggles would pull the drywall and tile down.

[Fuzz]

Ya, you should be able to take the cover off the coax box and look to see where the stud is. They look really high up on the wall. You want your TV that high?

[Robo]

I would say the stud is in between since those are separate covers

[Ducay]

Any other options on where to run stud finder? What about the back side of the wall? What about lower or higher (or even under baseboards).

You could get a stud detector with a variable thickness option (a few cheap ones do this).

Or worst case use a nail to probe through the drywall or a tiny drill through the marble at expected stud widths (touch of glossy silicone and you'll never see it)

[Fuzz]

Big assumption though. The coax could just be a face plate with no box behind it, and be in the gap between studs. It looks to be directly screwed in(different type of screw), which makes me think it isn't fastened to a box.

[sun]

I wouldn't trust those toggle deals to hold up my TV. Stud is between the boxes. Pull a cover off and double-check before you throw holes in the marble.

Source: former cabinet maker

[topfiverecords]

Perhaps you'll get lucky and the whole wall was sheathed in plywood first before drywall. Then you could just lag into that. Should be able to tell through the outlet if there's plywood behind the drywall. You'll have cement board though for a section above the fireplace.

You could also consider popping off some of the stones directly behind where the tv is going to go so you can get your bracket a little further back.

[DoubleK]

I'd call a pro. It's a fraction of what the wall repair + new TV would cost.

[jeffh]

I'm quite positive there is a stud directly to the left of your power outlet. Hopefully, 16" centres either way from there.

[cupofjoe]

Call a pro is never a bad idea.... (I do this for a living)

Is it an articulating mount or just flat / tilt mount?

Articulating mount with a heavy tv, you probably should hit a stud. Otherwise toggles generally work well if you can't find a stud. Most of the weight is vertical on a flat or tilt mount and most of the newer tv's are relatively light weight.

Back in good old days with 160 lbs plasma and an articulating mount .... fun fun fun, don't miss it at all.

[cupofjoe]

Sorry didn't see the pictures. Again assuming lighter tv, no articulation, use toggles like the ones in the link, you can use washers as spacers on the bolt to set your depth of the bracket as you have an uneven wall.

Caveat - use this advice at your own risk as I have not seen in person.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/TOGGLER-10-P...-Bolts/3183831

[DoubleK]

Houston, we have a pro!!!!

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by cupofjoe

Sorry didn't see the pictures. Again assuming lighter tv, no articulation, use toggles like the ones in the link, you can use washers as spacers on the bolt to set your depth of the bracket as you have an uneven wall.

Caveat - use this advice at your own risk as I have not seen in person.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/TOGGLER-10-P...-Bolts/3183831

I used these for a 42" and a 60". They work as advertised.

[Hack&Lube]

Can you go in from the other side of the wall to find the studs?

[Sliver]

Cool wall, Malcolm.