Walls and Ceilings - Wall Mounted Light Fixtures

My wife recently bought a wall mounted double swing-arm-style reading light to go over the head of our bed. Unfortunately, there were no mounting instructions. If I want the fixture to be centered over the bed, it can only be mounted in one spot, and I'm pretty sure the mounting holes on the back of the fixture won't just happen to line up with the studs (in fact the holes are greater than 16" apart). I'm concerned about mounting only into the drywall, though, since we will be pulling on the swing-arms . . . won't this eventually cause the mounting to fail? The fixture weighs about 5 or 6 lbs. Any sugestions?

Thanks

Jeff

Here are two options. HD Sells a fastener called an easy Zinc. It comes in 20 pound, 50 pound and the heavy wieght Easy Toggle at 75 pound applications. I would recommend going with at least the 50 lb for the reason you stated. You drive it into the wall with a screwdriver or screw gun and the item is attached to it with the screws provided. For an application with tight tollerances, it helps to predrill or a punch a whole into the wall with an awl so the EZ Zinc doesn't drift on installation. The other option would be a toggle bolt which is supplied with many fixtures for above head installation. Make sure to insert the butterfly completely through the sheetrock so it opens up properly.

[Edited by StephenS on 03-11-01 at 10:51]

Hello,

I've mounted much heavier light fixtures with molly bolts and never had any problems. I would recommend the kind that screw in rather than the spring loaded butterfly style bolts.

Good Luck!