TV Wall Mount on Square Tubing

[crooney1189]

How is everyone mounting their TV wall mounts when the mount is landing directly on a column? The mount will be a vertical 3-hole style centered on the middle column on the enclosed gable. Tubing is 14 ga 2-1/2" square. Self-tappers don't seem like they're going to cut it here... Is there enough meat on the tubing for lag bolts?

 

[OccupantRJ]

Drill more holes in the mount and add more self tappers?

 

[ArcReactorKC]

nutsert an option?

 

[Codyboy]

I would through bolt it.
Use rubber washers or sealant on the metal siding outside.
Drill where the flats are in the siding and not on the ribs.

 

[Codyboy]

This doesn't pertain to your OP , but are there gutters on the roof between the two buildings?
Looks like you'll be dealing with a lot of runoff and splash if not.

 

[KwikFab]

Incorporate a "backplate" and run bolts all the way through.

Next question.

 

[crooney1189]

This doesn't pertain to your OP , but are there gutters on the roof between the two buildings?
Looks like you'll be dealing with a lot of runoff and splash if not.

Yes there are. The first picture was older but it showed the enclosed gable end. This pic shows the gutters

 

[NUTTSGT]

Incorporate a "backplate" and run bolts all the way through.

Next question.

I'd probably also include a front plate to keep from collapsing the tubing when tightening up the bolts....at least spread the load out.

 

[claymont]

How is everyone mounting their TV wall mounts when the mount is landing directly on a column? The mount will be a vertical 3-hole style centered on the middle column on the enclosed gable. Tubing is 14 ga 2-1/2" square. Self-tappers don't seem like they're going to cut it here... Is there enough meat on the tubing for lag bolts?

Rivnuts will do the job.

Knurled Round Body Rivet Nut Thin or Near-Flush Head

 

[PoorUB]

Hose clamps?
A couple of them wrapped around the tube and the base of the wall mount would probably do it. This way you will not be drilling into the column and possibly weakening it.

 

[mike93lx]

Lag bolts are for wood.

Thru bolt or rivnuts would be my approach

 

[Skooterj]

Would you even need a rivnut? Just drill and tap the post? Thru bolt would be my first thought though.

 

[mike93lx]

Would you even need a rivnut? Just drill and tap the post? Thru bolt would be my first thought though.

14 gauge is not much for threads

 

[niget2002]

Got a welder?

 

[C.L S2000]

yea, i would use riv nuts

 

[duneslider]

I would probably lean towards rivnuts but I am willing to bet some bigger selftappers will hold just fine unless the tv is an old plasma.

 

[aka Larry]

IMO, you are overthinking it.

My shop is constructed the exact same as yours and almost the entire structure is held together with self-tapping screws. I have quite a few items mounted to my columns in just that manner.

How heavy is the TV? Less that 50#? I'd use (4) self-tappers and never give it another thought.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A couple of hefty U-bolts fastened around the tubing? Most are made for round tubing (like muffler clamps) but there must be some designed for square tubing.

 

[KwikFab]

IMO, you are overthinking it.

My shop is constructed the exact same as yours and almost the entire structure is held together with self-tapping screws. I have quite a few items mounted to my columns in just that manner.

How heavy is the TV? Less that 50#? I'd use (4) self-tappers and never give it another thought.

Agree.

Super simple.

I'd even donate the backplate if one is needed as that's the route I'd go.

 

[Dig Doug]

Through bolt a piece of angle side to side, then through bolt the TV mount to the angle
you probably only need some 1/4 or 5/16 bolts

@crooney1189

 

[manwithtools]

A couple of hefty U-bolts fastened around the tubing? Most are made for round tubing (like muffler clamps) but there must be some designed for square tubing.

There are square u-bolts, but a properly sized one would be impossible to install with the siding in place. @Dig Doug has the right idea.

 

[liliysdad]

On that?

I’d do a plate with u-bolts around the square tube. Mount the TV mount to the plate, no holes in the tube.

 

[no704]

Some ate x screws will be fine. TVs are not as heavy as they used to be.

 

[dcg9381]

My shop is constructed the exact same as yours and almost the entire structure is held together with self-tapping screws. I have quite a few items mounted to my columns in just that manner.

Agree. Self tappers. As long as you don't have an 80" TV on a 3' arm that swings, you'll be fine.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Agree.

Super simple.

I'd even donate the backplate if one is needed as that's the route I'd go.

Maybe you should create a cut file to build these based on amount of these metal structures being sold.

 

[mike93lx]

I think you need to consult an engineer

 

[aka Larry]

Agree. Self tappers. As long as you don't have an 80" TV on a 3' arm that swings, you'll be fine.

I live on the edge. I have a pair of 80# kayaks supported with brackets that are held in place with (4) 3/16" steel-shank pop-rivets to the bottom side of my roof trusses. I ran out of self tappers...LOL.

 

[CraigStu]

I'd use at least one through bolt at the top. But probably, once I had that figured out, I'd just use 2 more vs self tappers.

 

[Jacko264]

If you are that worried self tapping screws and some sikaflex glue and you could swing off it

 

[KwikFab]

Maybe you should create a cut file to build these based on amount of these metal structures being sold.

Be super easy - OP just needs to provide dimensions

Then I'll post the DXF for anyone to use

 

[dante2]

A plate inside the rib with bolts thru the mount would work for a TV. My camera monitor is mounted with 1 bolt facing out and the other in. My door hangers ended up the way. Square U bolts in your tube size work great on hanging anything from the ceiling.

 

[crooney1189]

Appreciate all the responses! Following up with the end result for anyone else looking to do the same. Ended up going with big square u-bolts and a large self-tapper for good measure. Had to notch the TV mount for the u-bolts to pass on either side of it as well. This avoids adding additional penetrations in the tube (other than the screw) and metal skin on the outside.

Should hold more TV than I can afford to put on that wall... Probably overkill but I was trying to be mindful of wind in an outdoor scenario as well, especially being in FL. I'll take the TV down before hurricanes, but even the afternoon thunderstorms that creep up during summer can pack a punch on occasion.