Wall hangers

Flipsnake · #1 06-23-2010, 06:11 PM

Ok, I've got some wall hangers lying around, ready to be installed!
But there's a little problem.
I've used a stud finder to find some studs in my room (other than myself, of course.)
The AC sensor goes off when I run the finder through all of them. And now I'm afraid that I'd be drilling straight into live wires.
Now. Will I be safe with drilling into the studs anyways?
If not, are there some affordable drywall anchor thingies that would be able to support a bass?
There will be two screws supporting each hanger, so it may be possible, right?
I just don't want to take a chance, and see my instruments fall off the wall after screwing the hanger into drywall.

Pilgrim · #2 06-23-2010, 06:29 PM

There are no screw anchors that will hold a bass. NONE. Don't try it.

You'd have to use at least molly bolts, and those mean making a 1/2" hole in the wall per bolt...not a good idea, and still not as strong as mounting on a stud.

Code requires that when an AC line crosses a wall stud, if it's on the outside edge of the stud (not through a hole drilled in the center) there must be a metal plate installed along the side of the wall stud over where the AC line passes so that nails and screws won't puncture the power line.

You may want to review the instructions on the stud finder - some of them are getting pretty sophisticated, and the fact that yours has an AC indicator tells me it's one of the better ones. The manual's sure to be online if you can't find it. If you are getting an AC reading on every stud, something's wrong - even if there's an AC line running vertically along the stud, that's only the case when it's running to a switch or AC outlet. If there's no switch or AC outlet on either side of the wall where you're getting that reading, something wrong....or there's an AC line running horizontally where you're checking. Move up or down 6" and try again. I want to politely suggest there may be operator error in how you're reading the stud finder.

I'd say find the studs, then go ahead and mount the hangars. You're not likely to have a problem other than missing the stud with a screw...but you DO want to drill and screw into the studs.

Flipsnake · #3 06-23-2010, 06:51 PM

I doubt that my stud finder is one of the better ones.
Proper use is to find one edge of a stud, then switch sides to find the other edge, right?.
Well, according to my finder, I have two one-edged studs in my room. Amazing.
It's one of these, by the way.
But not exactly like it. Mine's got the same model number, but the model they produce now has the AC indicator taken out...
At this point, I may as well just make a guitar rack. I'll probably have to buy a better stud finder for properly installing the hangers anyways. Might be cheaper to get supplies for this build instead.

elgecko · #4 06-23-2010, 06:55 PM

Is there a sensitivity adjustment on your stud/AC finder?

I'd avoid any drywall anchors if possible.

Flipsnake · #5 06-23-2010, 06:59 PM

Nope. If you click one of the links I've posted above, it looks (and feels) quite cheap.
So it looks like it's not a good idea to screw into drywall...oh well. I guess I'll have fun building the rack!

elgecko · #6 06-23-2010, 07:59 PM

That sucks. Even my Harbor Freight cheapie has adjustable sensitivity.

Just drill SLOWLY into the center of the stud. You'll know without a doubt as soon as you're through the drywall whether you're into wood (OK) or void (DANGER!).

Jim Campbell · #7 06-23-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipsnake

Ok, I've got some wall hangers lying around, ready to be installed!
But there's a little problem.
I've used a stud finder to find some studs in my room (other than myself, of course.)
The AC sensor goes off when I run the finder through all of them. And now I'm afraid that I'd be drilling straight into live wires.
Now. Will I be safe with drilling into the studs anyways?
If not, are there some affordable drywall anchor thingies that would be able to support a bass?
There will be two screws supporting each hanger, so it may be possible, right?
I just don't want to take a chance, and see my instruments fall off the wall after screwing the hanger into drywall.

if you are screwing into a stud you can be reasonably sure of the wires passing through the middle of them,and generally lower than chest high.....if you are really uncertain,you can always cut a hole in the drywall next to the stud to have a look and patch it up after.....it's less work than replacing instruments

guy n. cognito · #8 06-23-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

There are no screw anchors that will hold a bass. NONE. Don't try it.

Hmm, the four basses that have been hanging in my music room for the past two years on Hercules hangers will greatly disagree with you.

PaulNYC · #9 06-23-2010, 08:46 PM

I have 35 pound paintings hanging from the wall between studs, but of course, I do not regularly unmount them and remount them. I am not worried about sub 10 pound instruments on hangers. but a stud is better of course.

Jim Campbell · #10 06-23-2010, 09:01 PM

if you are handy at all the other option is to open a hole in the wall and insert a one by two behind the drywall to reinforce where the screws will go then patch the hole

Jim C · #11 06-23-2010, 09:12 PM

We are assuming wood studs; is this an appartment, condo, or townhouse as many of these structures are framed with metal studs.

I have found that the large picture hooks that support 35 lbs paintings (especially the ones with 3 nails) will support a 10 lbs bass safely - for years; like 20 years; used a cable tie from hook to tuning key

If you want to use an anchor I would suggest the lead shield type; when used properly they can support a bass with a single point mount assuming the hanger has a flat plate to spread the load against the drywall

rollerberg2000 · #12 06-23-2010, 09:18 PM

The AC finder is the only reason to have a stud finder IME. I've always softly rapped on the wall with just my index (plucking) finger to find a stud. If your ears are still in good shape you can tell where the exact center of a stud is by listening to the change of sound while gently tapping across the wall.

Mooblar · #13 06-23-2010, 09:32 PM

Flipsnake, I have a similar if not the same model as your stud finder. I also get occasional erroneous AC detection in my gear room. Yes, I know it is wrong because I ran the wires and hung the drywall.

I recently installed several string swing wall hangers and ran into the same issue. I found that when I let the finder turn off and reset, I would get a correct "no AC" reading. These things are finicky and jump to an AC reading.

If you follow Pilgrims advice you should be ok. That said I think it would be important to clarify or at least address the question of what type of structure you are in.

Best of Luck!

Ric5 · #14 06-23-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

There are no screw anchors that will hold a bass. NONE. Don't try it.

I have made them work with screw anchors.

jonesn4bass · #15 06-24-2010, 06:54 AM

It takes a bit of work, but the versatility and strength is great!

Medford Bassman · #16 06-24-2010, 06:56 AM

Trust me from personal experience, find the stud.

guy n. cognito · #17 06-24-2010, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medford Bassman

Trust me from personal experience, find the stud.

Or a box of 50lb wall anchors.

FunkMetalBass · #18 06-24-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesn4bass

It takes a bit of work, but the versatility and strength is great!

I was going to suggest this same thing. Attach it at each stud with some nice, thick bolts, and then you can hang as many basses/guitars as needed along it. I may be doing this same thing to my living room soon.

Not to completely hi-jack, but are there wall hangers for ERBs? I can't fit my 6-string through either of my hangers, let along my 8-string.

Bass-Adrenaline · #19 06-24-2010, 07:03 PM

Since theres alreayd a thread for this ill ask my question. Im not tryign to jack the thread.

Drilling holes anywhere where im at is out of the question. I was wondering if there was any way to use some kind of double sided like whats used on those SM/Scotch mini hangers. Just get a good square of that between the wall and like a wall hanger block. Any suggestions?

Pilgrim · #20 06-24-2010, 10:41 PM

I ran oak 1x4 along the wall, anchored it with 3" screws into the studs, and then mounted U-shaped hangers from ACE Hardware on the strip.

Others may be OK with it, but there is no way in the world' I'd trust my '63 P or Casady bass to any hanger mounted on just drywall, regardless of the fastener used. YMMV.