Best and safest way to mount my new projector to my ceiling?

nightrider1470 · 8 Jul 2013 at 17:05

I have just bought a Mits HC5 projector that weights 14kg

I still have my old projector mount in place from my old projector. I seem to be quiet lucky that the plate has lots of screw holes. As most projector mounts I have seen only allow for 2-4.

I am wondering as I am not sure were my joists are!, if I would be ok using say 8 of these direct in the plasterboard?

lucid · 8 Jul 2013 at 17:32

Don't use those. If you're not careful it's easy to chew out big chunks of plasterboard which will weaken the board for the other fixings.

If you're going to fix just to the board then try something like Hollow Wall Anchors.

Drill an appropriately sized hole. Push the plug through. Tightening the bolt opens the umbrella and produces a really solid fixing. You can then remove bolt(s) to fix your bracket.

You can pick up these from your local B&Q too and I'm sure online. Be aware though, there are different qualities. You can't tell by looking but the slightly cheaper ones just don't work as well. For pennies each cheaper it's just not worth the saving. Get the decent ones from Screwfix or a good local iron monger. This is one time where you definitely get what you pay for.

darreny · 9 Jul 2013 at 12:16

Or hire and stud finder

lucid · 9 Jul 2013 at 14:23

or you could just knock on the ceiling. Hollow..... hollow..... hollow..... solid. Ah, found it!

Seriously though, a stud finder is useful for detecting the presence of electricity cables and pipes (if you get one with that feature). It's always a useful tool to have in the bag whenever drilling walls or ceilings. My guess is though that the bracket isn't going to move that much from its current location. This might be more a case of beefing up the the current fixings.

Nightglow · 9 Jul 2013 at 14:30

Joist will most likely be at 16" centres, so quite easy working out location.

They start at a wall & proceed across the room, then just use a bradawl to locate.
& so on.
Looking at your photo, there should be a joist at that black cross marking, then another 16" will be another one.

If you could lift a floorboard above where you want to locate bracket, you could fix a noggin laid flat between the joists, to provide additional fixing points.