Workbench

PROJECTS BY MIKE

Hang that big flat panel TV for less.

Hanging a flat panel TV doesn't need to cost more than $5.00 and you can do it yourself very easiy, here's how:

Measure the length of the back of your TV.

Get a scrap piece of 1 x 4 x 6 ' pine or buy a piece from your lumber store.

Cut a 45 degree angle along one edge of the wood.

Now cut the 6' piece into two 3' pieces.

Lay one of the pieces along the back of your flat panel TV so its centered and mark the location where the mounting holes should be drilled. (see photo above, wood is pictured in light blue)

Drill the mounting holes through the wood and cut the piece to size to fit behind your TV without protruding out the sides.

Mount one of the pieces of wood to the back of the TV with the 45 degree angled edge facing down.

Mount the other piece of wood to the wall where the TV will be located with the 45 degree edge facing upward. Make sure to fasten it to the studs in the wall (usually 16" apart) You can use 2 1/2" drywall screws.

Now hang your TV on the wall by butting up the 45 degree edges together. The weight of the TV will force the wood to slide against the other piece mounted to the wall. TV will sit only 3/4" off of wall!

For a clean look without dangling wires you can also drill a hole in the wall behind the TV, and then drill a hole at the bottom of the wall where the components are located. Then feed the power and HDMI cables through the wall.

There you have it. A clean professional looking installation with no exposed wires for under $5.00

For TV's over 42", use two mounts instead of one.