Hey everyone! I'm trying to help my friend mount a TV on his wall, but we're running into some trouble with these metal studs. We've got all the right gear—toggle bolts and good hardware—but these studs feel way thicker than normal. They almost seem like steel! We're using brand new 1/2 inch drill bits with both an impact driver and a pre-drill, but we're not making much progress. This is an apartment complex, and we've seen other TVs mounted, so I know it can be done. Any tips or experiences with this situation would be super helpful. Thanks a lot!
3 Answers
Have you checked that your drill bits are actually for metal? Wood bits can sometimes work on softer materials, but you really need metal bits for steel. Also, it might be worth probing the wall first. A screwdriver can help indicate if it’s actually a stud you’re drilling into or maybe a pipe. You could also try piercing the stud with a nail to get it started before drilling—otherwise, the bit might just bend away.
Forget the studs altogether! If you use toggle bolts, you can securely mount your TV without needing to drill into the studs. A 2.5-inch toggle can hold between 50 to 100 pounds in drywall. Just use about four of them, and it should easily support any modern TV since they're a lot lighter than those old plasma models! If you're still unsure, check out some options online that don't require stud mounting.
Sounds like you’re dealing with steel studs, which can be tricky! Make sure you’re using a decent metal drill bit; a good one should cut through steel studs easily. If you’re not getting anywhere, there’s a chance your drill bit might be dull or not suited for metal. Just a heads up—if you’re drilling and notice it feels really deep, you might have hit a beam instead of a stud, since metal studs are usually pretty thin (about 1/16" thick). Good luck!