Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - How do I mount a plasma on a plaster wall?

What would be the best way to mount a 42" plasma to a wall that is plaster with furring strips and then cinder block? I am sure that I probably want to go all the way into the cinder block. What type of anchors would be best? Would a crown bolt be suficient, or would that be too weak? It will most likely be holding about 125 lbs including the stand itself. Thanks for you input.

Are you mounting this on a shelf, you mentioned the stand will still be attached, or are you using a mounting bracket?

In either case, I don't think you'll be able to mount it. The furring strips don't give enough depth and also prevent a good snug fit with the cement blocks.

The way I see it, you have two choices. Rebuild the wall using 2x4 studs, positioning studs where you need the mounting screws or building a pole stand to mount hte bracket onto..

I meant the bracket instead of stand. I don't want a pole mount either. Trying to keep my 11 month old away from it. Why can't I just mount it with some sort of fastener that goes all the way into the block? Either tapcons or crown bolts?

I am thinking toggle bolts that go straight through to the cavities in the block.

I doubt a toggle bolt will work as you can't get it snug, ie) the part that splays out won't splay very far.

Tapcons work in concrete but I doubt cement block is stong enough to support the weight, especially since the bracket won't be snug to the block.

Remember - you have the furring strips.

I understand what you want to do and why - I just wouldn't risk an expensive tv.

By crown I meant toggle bolt. Why wouldn't I be able to get it snug? The bracket will be snug to the wall, and that is snug to the furring strip, which is snug to the block. I don't think that I would be able to find each furring strip in order to utilize them. A stud finder probably wouldn't find the furring strip due to the thickness of the plaster?!?!? Not sure if setting screws into them only is strong enough either. Maybe I should hire a pro. installer. :wall: $$$

By the way we only got a 32" LCD instead of a 42" plasma. :(

You're still going to have the thickness of the furring strips between the drywall and the concrete block. It will be snug to the drywall, but not to the block. Thats the first problem.

The second problem could be the size. To get on strong enough and long enough, it will have to be pretty big. 1/2" drywall plus 3/4" (?) furring strip plus another 1/2 for the block gives at least 1-3/4" just to get even with the inside of the block. Then you need room for the toggle to fit thru and open before you can tighten it down. Using molleys isn't any better. The molleys need room to splay (flatten) against the inside of the block.

You don't have room between the drywall and the block for a strong enough toggle/molley.

Hey, it might work. But its not my money nor my tv.

Are you sure its furring strips? Are the electrical outlet boxes in the wall? How deep are they? Or are they attached to the wall, wires run thru conduit?

I see no reason why you can't goto any hardware store & buy anchors that will go through the furring strips right into the block walls. You could hang the Queen Mary from that!

I agree with Devil. If the block is hollow you can use the toggle bolts. They have all sizes. Use the biggest ones you can. Get them long enough so they go all the way through the sidewall of the block. I would simply add furing strips anywhere the mount is meeting the plaster that doesn't have anything behind it. That may mean patching the plaster but it will be behind the TV where you won't really notice it.

If the block is solid then Tapcons should work fine. They make those in all different sizes too. I've installed decks to houses like that. If they can hold a deck they can hold a TV.