Do hammer drills work as advertised ?

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

look into using a lag shield concrete anchor if drilling into the brick.

 

[chopsaw]

searched this, everything I find on mounting TV's says to drill into the brick

I searched it to , because this thread had me thinking " 35 years and I been doing it wrong "
I was surprised to see the amount of advice that said " No mortar joint " , but you know how that goes . You'll have to decide what to believe , but I understand the question for sure .

See what the brackets will allow you to do and make your choice . Good point in post 15 about the horizontal joint .
Fact is , you could drill one anchor in either the FOB or the joint and hang all you weight on it without tear out .

If you drill the brick . Remember there are 3 holes in a normal veneer brick , and they are most likely not slushed full in this situation . So whatever that thickness is from FOB to the inside edge of the hole is what you have for holding power . You'll know as soon as you drill . It will either resist for a couple inches , or it will resist at the start , then fall into nothing , and then you have a hole that might not be usable . If that happens go to a plastic anchor . So pick some up when you grab a drill .

Mortar joint is 3/8 thick x 3 5/8 deep .

 

[1MoreFord]

If you use the fireplace with any regularity I'd suggest you do not mount a TV over it. TV's don't like the heat that comes off fireplaces. Causes premature failure.
Beyond that, it is not a good viewing angle and can make if difficult to add sound bars or center channel speakers if you want to connect to a HT system.

 

[Smokin Okie]

look into using a lag shield concrete anchor if drilling into the brick.

I use those where the gate on my wooden privacy fence attaches to the house. I put them in the mortar. Constant wear from the gate opening and closing eventually wears them loose. But that would not be the case with the TV.

That's another project when I rebuild my gate. I'm thinking I put them in the brick, not the mortar.

 

[Smokin Okie]

If you use the fireplace with any regularity I'd suggest you do not mount a TV over it. TV's don't like the heat that comes off fireplaces. Causes premature failure.
Beyond that, it is not a good viewing angle and can make if difficult to add sound bars or center channel speakers if you want to connect to a HT system.

A. I don't use the fireplace.

B. The sight lines will be perfect. Already checked that out.

 

[chopsaw]

That's another project when I rebuild my gate. I'm thinking I put them in the brick, not the mortar.

I remember seeing a picture of the gate in a thread about racoons or cats ? Getting in your yard .
Maybe look for a gate support wheel . Surface mounts to the leaf at the strike . Helps support the weight . Then you can repair the hole with some wood and a high low screw .

 

[Smokin Okie]

I remember seeing a picture of the gate in a thread about racoons or cats ? Getting in your yard .
Maybe look for a gate support wheel . Surface mounts to the leaf at the strike . Helps support the weight . Then you can repair the hole with some wood and a high low screw .

Yes, you've got a good memory.

I got a possum on that gate last night .

And here's the shots you're recalling ............ its a wild kingdom in my backyard

 

[Chris_in_SoCal]

If you get the hammer drill at HF walk over to the drill bit isle and get a set of masonry bits. They are cheap but hold up well.

 

[Inscrutable]

I have a 1/2” from Harbor Freight and it has worked fine with Tapcon bits and screws into brick and mortar.

 

[mcokevin]

Hmmm, I'm hanging a TV on a fireplace. I can't trust going into the mortar. This is why I'm looking into a hammer drill, to go into the brick with tapcons.

There has to be a more secure way to hang the tv, as many people have done this ?

If you haven't already mounted this, I'd urge a bit of caution. Not for any reasons discussed here, but TVs mounted above fireplaces typically result in very poor ergonomics for the viewer.

The ideal height for mounting a TV varies (here's way more information that you'd ever want on it), but generally you will want the center of the screen to be about even with your eye level from the viewing position. Most fireplace locations are significantly higher than that, and result in the viewing having to crane their neck up to see the display. This can lead to all sorts of problems for the viewers

If above the fireplace is the only viable location, you could consider a mount like this that allows you to pull the TV down closer to an optimal angle.

You could also improve the ergonomics by getting some recliners - not the worst solution ;) - when you are reclined back your eye level will tilt up closer to even with the display, but probably not enough to totally solve it.

Thanks for reading a bunch of opinions you didn't ask for lol - 20+ years experience in commercial audio and video systems integration.

 

[Smokin Okie]

If you haven't already mounted this, I'd urge a bit of caution. Not for any reasons discussed here, but TVs mounted above fireplaces typically result in very poor ergonomics for the viewer.

The ideal height for mounting a TV varies (here's way more information that you'd ever want on it), but generally you will want the center of the screen to be about even with your eye level from the viewing position. Most fireplace locations are significantly higher than that, and result in the viewing having to crane their neck up to see the display. This can lead to all sorts of problems for the viewers

If above the fireplace is the only viable location, you could consider a mount like this that allows you to pull the TV down closer to an optimal angle.

You could also improve the ergonomics by getting some recliners - not the worst solution ;) - when you are reclined back your eye level will tilt up closer to even with the display, but probably not enough to totally solve it.

Thanks for reading a bunch of opinions you didn't ask for lol - 20+ years experience in commercial audio and video systems integration.

I'm sitting in a recliner right now, with a small TV on the mantle of the fireplace.

I appreciate your long response, and the time it took to write it, but trust me, I've thought this out.

 

[chopsaw]

My TV in the garage is on top of the fridge .

 

[Inscrutable]

I'm sitting in a recliner right now, with a small TV on the mantle of the fireplace.

I appreciate your long response, and the time it took to write it, but trust me, I've thought this out.

Yes, ergonomics can be solved.
Not over a FP, but my TV is mounted high to clear my speakers, and bracket angled down a bit. My natural sight line in my recliner is the center of the TV, and my speakers tweeters are at ear height.

 

[Colin1230]

Okie, correct me if I'm wrong. You are mounting this TV outdoors and not over a fireplace mantel. Just to the exterior brick.
Good info above. I need a hammer drill also to attach a SS sink to the basement wall.

 

[Smokin Okie]

Okie, correct me if I'm wrong. You are mounting this TV outdoors and not over a fireplace mantel. Just to the exterior brick.
Good info above. I need a hammer drill also to attach a SS sink to the basement wall.

Its going inside, over the mantel.

 

[zwiller]

I was taught into mortar joint as well BUT in situations like a tv mount there will always be exceptions to get it centered/proper height. You CAN use a normal drill for them into mortar, I've done it. Takes longer but it does work. Brick itself is a pretty tough job even with a hammer drill so heads up. I've scored a few nice hammer drills for next to nothing at estate sales. I keep one with a Tapcon bit already chucked ready to go with chuck key black taped to the plug (thanks Dad) LOL One thing many overlook about using Tapcons is that they suggest to blow the dust out of the hole. VERY important for using them mounting stuff DOWN. They will hold a 35lb tv no problem. 4 would be plenty. Be curious how you plan to power it and run accessory cables. I HATE seeing cables. THAT will be the fun job.

https://www.tapcon.com/getdoc/83813a1a-f921-42c5-a121-4985c9f3e09f/PDF-of-How-to-Install

 

[Smokin Okie]

I was taught into mortar joint as well BUT in situations like a tv mount there will always be exceptions to get it centered/proper height. You CAN use a normal drill for them into mortar, I've done it. Takes longer but it does work. Brick itself is a pretty tough job even with a hammer drill so heads up. I've scored a few nice hammer drills for next to nothing at estate sales. I keep one with a Tapcon bit already chucked ready to go with chuck key black taped to the plug (thanks Dad) LOL One thing many overlook about using Tapcons is that they suggest to blow the dust out of the hole. VERY important for using them mounting stuff DOWN. They will hold a 35lb tv no problem. 4 would be plenty. Be curious how you plan to power it and run accessory cables. I HATE seeing cables. THAT will be the fun job.

https://www.tapcon.com/getdoc/83813a1a-f921-42c5-a121-4985c9f3e09f/PDF-of-How-to-Install

Everything is bluetoothed, cept power cord and bluray player, which is small and will set on the mantle. I can run the power cord inside the wall. Just a small section exposed.

 

[mcokevin]

I'm sitting in a recliner right now, with a small TV on the mantle of the fireplace.

I appreciate your long response, and the time it took to write it, but trust me, I've thought this out.

There are worse solves than kicking back in the recliner!

 

[Steve H]

If you haven't ordered the drill yet. I can toss this in the mail this weekend if you want.

 

[Smokin Okie]

If you haven't ordered the drill yet. I can toss this in the mail this weekend if you want.

View attachment 723685

Steve, I've already placed the order, but I appreciate your offer.