DIY question

[Dony]

I need to fix a basketball backboard to my garage wall and the mounting bracket and fittings that came with it is next to useless.
I've decided that the easiest way will be to fix wooden batons to the wall and then attach the backboard to the batons.

Can anyone tell me what's the easiest way to do this? Can I simply cut out the batons to the size required and drive them into the block wall using heavy duty nails, or is there some other more reliable way to do this?

My DIY skills are minimal at best, so feel free to call me an idiot provided you tell me the correct way of doing it!

 

[Lee]

I'd avoid using nails and go for screws and wallplugs, plenty of them and of a fair length. You don't want to be doing a slam dunk and have it all fall down.

 

[Sandman]

You can't screw directly into a block wall, you will need some sort of masonry fixings.

 

[Dony]

I'd avoid using nails and go for screws, plenty of them and of a fair length. You don't want to be doing a slam dunk and have it all fall down.

That's what I'm afraid off. This is going to be a permanent fixture (hopefully) so I want to get it right first time. I'll going to call at my local hardware shop to see what they have.
I was thinking of getting 10mm screws to fix the batons to the wall, and the same again for attaching the backboard to the batons. Would that sound ok?

You can't screw directly into a block wall, you will need some sort of masonry fixings.

So masonary fixings to attach the batons to the wall, and standard screws to attach the backboard to the batons?

 

[baldrick]

If you're attaching to a masonry wall then use something like this: http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/hardware/fixings/sleeve_anchors/B-and-Q-Sleeve-Anchor-M8x60mm-Nut-9372128

You'll need a pretty hefty drill to make the required holes, but once they're in they won't move anywhere.


When you talk about using 'batons' make sure you're thinking 2"x4" or larger. You want something with enough thickness for a screw to bite into. Depending on the mountings for the backboard you might be able to just align the heavy duty wall anchors with the holes on the board and avoid the batons all together....

 

[baldrick]

You can't screw directly into a block wall, you will need some sort of masonry fixings.

http://www.tapcon.com/concreteAnchor.asp

 

[Sandman]

http://www.tapcon.com/concreteAnchor.asp

Did you read the instructions? I stand by my statement.

 

[baldrick]

Did you read the instructions? I stand by my statement.

I use them around the house and I don't have to use any kind of fixing, just drill and screw!

 

[shodan]

Ohh, I like the look of them!

 

[NorvernRob]

Thunderbolts, they've even got an awesome name

Fixings Etc M10x75mm ThunderBolt FixBolt2070

 

[IronGiant]

I use them around the house and I don't have to use any kind of fixing, just drill and screw!

I think sandman's point is that they count as a masonry fixing because you drill a hole in the wall first.

I used some to put up an aerial pole, they are very good

I think I used these ones: TIMco Concrete Screws - Masonry Screws | Screwfix.com

 

[Solar]

If you're attaching to a masonry wall then use something like this: B&Q Sleeve Anchor M8x60mm (Nut), 0000005041565

These are exactly what I had to use to fix a steel bracket to a wall. The rest listed in this thread would have had no chance at holding it to the wall.

 

[IronGiant]

yeah, the recommendations from the rest of us were completely crap

 

[shoemaker666]

i would bolt it all the way through better safe than sorry

 

[nheather]

I would step back and ask whether this is being a tad over-engineered.

Is this a professional hoop that a adult could hang from or a toy.

It's all very well securing the backboard to hold the weight of a adult hippo but if the hoop is simply attached to the backboard with some smallish screws\bolts then it is pretty pointless as the hoop will simply rip off the backboard.

If the hoop is not to be hung from then good sized screws and plastic rawlplugs will be plenty.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[shoemaker666]

i would always over engineer its not really any more hassle to drill all the way through a wall for bolts than to drill part of the way through for rawl plugs

 

[paulyoung666]

i would always over engineer its not really any more hassle to drill all the way through a wall for bolts than to drill part of the way through for rawl plugs

Depends if it is a double skin with a cavity or not though .....

 

[Deleted member 51156]

All you need is some 3 inch tens and brown plugs..Or 3 inch twelves..

 

[IronGiant]

Depends if it is a double skin with a cavity or not though .....

I was wondering about that.

I was also wondering how the heavy weight steel brackets are still hanging on my wall if there was no chance of the fixings I used working

 

[signs]

Dony , just get some coach bolts and plugs , or if it's breeze block some threaded rod, nuts, washers , and go straight through mate .

 

[paulyoung666]

Dony , just get some coach bolts and plugs , or if it's breeze block some threaded rod, nuts, washers , and go straight through mate .

As long as there isn't a cavity .....

 

[signs]

As long as there isn't a cavity .....

You can drill through a cavity wall

 

[paulyoung666]

You can drill through a cavity wall

With a long drill you are quite correct , now how tight would you tighten the bolts though ....

 

[IronGiant]

But I'm not sure I'd want to bolt through it and overtighten the nut in case it imploded

Edit: what he said

 

[paulyoung666]

But I'm not sure I'd want to bolt through it and overtighten the nut in case it imploded

Edit: what he said

Exactly , you stand to draw the skins together .....