Walls and Ceilings - Driving lug screws into studs

Hi,
I am installing a bracket to mount a 15" TV to the wall. The mount was made commercially. It required me to drill 4 - 2.5 " deep hole with a 5/32 bit into the stud. Having done that, I need to put 4 - 3" x 1/8" lug screws to hold the bracket in place. The screws have a "phillips" type head so I used a corresponding tip on my cordless drill/screwdriver. Here's my problem:

About 1" into the stud, it is hard to drive the screws in further and the tip begins to slip, threatening to strip the head of the screws. The fact that I am standing on a small step ladder also makes it harder for me to exert horizontal pressure to prevent the tip from jumping out.

Were the holes I drilled too small? The brochure warns not to drill bigger holes or the bracket might pull out the screws when the tv is loaded. Is there a position or technique I can use to help make the screws easier to drive in? Standing on a stepladder 2' above the floor certainly lacks leverage.

Thanks for your help.

Try lubing the threads on the lag screw. Soap works fairly well. Any difference if you replaced the phillips head screws with hex head or do they need to be the phillips as supplied?

Unless you have a clearance problem you should use hex head bolts so you can turn them in with a ratchet.

1/8" is small for a lag, you sure they're not just wood screws?

Yes, there is a clearance issue as the bracke and the arm has a tight fit I doubt the bolt head will allow it. Yes, you are correct it is a wood screw but the install manual calls it "Lag screws" I might try lubing the screw but I hope I won't break the head off as the wall is newly painted. :wall:

Homebrew - I'm a little confused about the size of your lag screws and the pilot hole drilled. A 5/32" hole (0.156") is larger than the 1/8" bolt? Are you sure your lags are 1/8" and not
1/4"?

If space won't allow a lag bolt, I suggest getting a lag bolt (hex or square head) of the same thread diameter and pitch and driving it into the stud without the bracket. This will size the hole to the bolt. Remove the bolt and install the bracket with
the lag screws provided.

I'm almost sure the screws are not 1/4" but you are right, a 5/32" hole is bigger than 4/32! Missing something there....be that as it may, your suggestion to use a bolt to pave the way sounds like a plan! Thanks. :)



Homebrew - I'm a little confused about the size of your lag screws and the pilot hole drilled. A 5/32" hole (0.156") is larger than the 1/8" bolt? Are you sure your lags are 1/8" and not
1/4"?

If space won't allow a lag bolt, I suggest getting a lag bolt (hex or square head) of the same thread diameter and pitch and driving it into the stud without the bracket. This will size the hole to the bolt. Remove the bolt and install the bracket with
the lag screws provided.