Swing Arm Wall Mounting a 42" Plasma to Plasterboard?

[glen8]

Hi all,

What started out as buying a new sofa has turned into decorating the entire lounge with a new suite nightmare

One of the chairs will be going where the TV is now (sat on a table stand in the corner) so we have to put the Plasma on the wall if we are to get the new suite in.

The problem (as always ) with putting the plasma on the wall is the viewing angles from the sofa. The person sat on the right hand side of the sofa will be watching the plasma at an extreme angle. Therefore I had the idea today of using one of those swing arm mounts where you can lift the tv away from the wall and tilt it to either the right or the left. Since the mount is going on plasterboard will it be safe? Luckily the wall is an outside one so can drill into the thermalite blocks, or go deep into the bricks if needed. It's a new build house.

The last thing I want on Christmas Day is swinging the TV out for all the family and seeing it fall onto the floor

Has anyone used one of these mounts, especially on a plasterboard wall

also, can anyone recommend a company who specialize in flat screen installations?

Thanks very much

[inzaman]

I have a 21inch LCD on one of those mounts on a plasterboard wall, okay not quite a 40inch Plasma, but using the correct fittings it really does feel solid and the one we have doesnt just swing about, you have to put a bit of force to move it.

[scatterbug]

I would drill right through to the solid brick work (there are special fixings for thermalite blocks but I'm not sure they are going to hold with the leverage forces generated from a swing-mount).

Have you bought the mount already?

[glen8]

Thanks for the replies,

I haven't bought anything yet, just having a look at a few now.

Think I'm going to pay one of those companies to come and do it.

[hornydragon]

you need the right bracket and the right fixings dont skimp on the bracket....

[scatterbug]

Have a look at mform-online's mounts. They are a forum Assured Advertiser and answer queries promptly. I've got the MF-3250AB Articulated mount for my 37" Panasonic plasma but it can handle up to 50".

[CLIVEEDWARDS]

I had a similar situation on an install I did. The plaster board was dabbed and stood of the blocks behind by about 10mm. I drew round the back plate of the bracket and cut the plaster board out and then fixed direct to the block wall behind. I used special fixings made by Fischer that don't expand in the airated blocks,they hammer in and twist. They are grey plastic in the shape of an helix or corkscrew if you like. Do not use an expanding fixing in light weight blocks, they are for brick or concrete only.
Now the face of bracket was fixed behind the plaster board by about 6mm and I filled this gap with painters mate/caulk. job done.
Don't under estimate how much force is pulling on a swivel bracket when extended out. Always use the correct fixings.
If you choose to use a professional make sure they know the difference between fixings and wall types. You would be surprised how many people think the know what they are doing or are just happy to have a go at it.