Tv bracket into concrete blocks... can't get screws all the way in!

[Joonyer]

Hi all

Fitting a tv bracket in the garage. Drilled 50mm deep as instructed with 8mm masonry bit using a hammer drill. Popped the 40mm plugs in, tapped lightly into place with a hammer. Got 50mm bolts/screws with deep Philips heads on them.

Only problem is the drill walked slightly during drilling so I've got almost literally no "give" in terms of fitting the bracket - one of the screws started at a 45 degree angle before finding its happy place.

But while it's absolutely solidly, rigidly in place (zero bracket movement/wobble etc) the screws still have a good 10mm before they're fully in.

Am unsure what to do. Too much torque and the bit jumps. Hand tightening worked to a point until my hand almost snapped in half.

What should I do? Re-drill and do the holes deeper? Or is there a better tool for the job? I remember my dad had an impact driver, whereby you ****ted it with a hammer and it would twist upon impact, usually for undoing ceased/knackered old screws. Might that work or would the impact rip the holes apart?

Cheers
Matt

 

[Burnerman]

You haven't done anything wrong, so either use a bigger screwdriver or use shorter screws (not too much shorter though!)
John

 

[Joonyer]

You haven't done anything wrong, so either use a bigger screwdriver or use shorter screws (not too much shorter though!)
John

Thanks John. On reflection, this was a bit of a stupid question. Might need to use some brute force with my good grips to finish the job as they aint moving. The tv weighs sod all also, so it's not like it's going to tear itself from the wall.

Thamks again
Matt

 

[Burnerman]

Not a daft question at all - we've all been there! If you use a quality plug like a Fischer SX you can over drill the depth quite happily because the plug has a plastic flange to prevent it from being knocked in too deep, and splines to help it from spinning. However, once the screw head is chewed then its game over for the screw, and time for a replacement.
John

 

[Joonyer]

Not a daft question at all - we've all been there! If you use a quality plug like a Fischer SX you can over drill the depth quite happily because the plug has a plastic flange to prevent it from being knocked in too deep, and splines to help it from spinning. However, once the screw head is chewed then its game over for the screw, and time for a replacement.
John

Thanks again John. Is it frowned upon here to still snigger at flange?

The supplied ones are pretty decent looking to be honest - not your usual argos stuff (though this was from Amazon). Good and solid, they have a small flange and also the splines so that's nice. I'm thinking it's likely the lack of give in the bracket, so the screws are fighting horizontally as well as vertically if that makes sense (the edges of the bracket-holes pushing hard into the threads). If I can get them out without trashing them, I might get creative with a metal-bit and drill the bracket-holes open a little more and see if that solves it. Worth a go for a potential 10min solution.

I've got mountains of bolts, screws, and washers of every size imaginable (dad's hand-me-downs after 60yrs) so I'll make sure I do a proper job of it and not bodge it.

Ironically I didn't think to check that the bracket actually sits central when folded flat - it does not. I'm about 5cm too far to the left (I like symmetry...) so I'm probably going to start again anyway thinking about it.

Cheers again, have a good one!

Matt

 

[Burnerman]

Usually, supplied plugs and screws are sneered at by most of us on here - usually with justification!
A small tip.....Fix the bracket with one screw at first, rather than marking them all at once. Once you have a decent fixing, swivel the bracket about that screw until your level says its spot on - then mark with a pencil and drill carefully, using a small drill first. If that's a success the bracket will hold itself in the correct place whilst you drill the others, removing the bracket once more to fit the plugs.
If you are taking the bracket off, reposition it so any damage from previous drilling is covered.
Be lucky
John

 

[Joonyer]

Usually, supplied plugs and screws are sneered at by most of us on here - usually with justification!
A small tip.....Fix the bracket with one screw at first, rather than marking them all at once. Once you have a decent fixing, swivel the bracket about that screw until your level says its spot on - then mark with a pencil and drill carefully, using a small drill first. If that's a success the bracket will hold itself in the correct place whilst you drill the others, removing the bracket once more to fit the plugs.
If you are taking the bracket off, reposition it so any damage from previous drilling is covered.
Be lucky
John

Flawless service, thanks again John

Matt

 

[motorbiking]

An impact driver will do it, but if you really can't screw them in (perhaps you have a screw driver with a hexagonal section designed to work with a spanner?) then you could take them out and put a few washers under the screw head so that its packed tight, or drill the plug out and drill it a bit deeper. You might find losing off the other screws helps and then work them all in evenly

 

[Astra99]

My suggestion would be to use hex-headed screws. A quick search on e-bay brings up several suppliers who are offering 8 & 10 gauge screws in various lengths. The only caveat is not to over-torque them and risk shearing them off! As you have suffered drill-wander, if you can get two of the "full size" screws in, and then two smaller (in diameter) screws, this might be the best option. What size/weight TV are you hanging from this bracket?

 

[Doggit]

Going back to the problem of the screws not going in completely. Did you check the depth of the holes after you'd drilled them by pushng the screw in. Simetimes the brick dust will stop the screw going in completely, but if the bracket and TV don't weigh much, try a 40mm screw to match th wallplug.