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Hanging Projector screen on outer wall of basement

Hanging Projector screen on outer wall of basement


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Old 03-29-17, 07:30 PM
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Hanging Projector screen on outer wall of basement

Trying to hang a screen on a wall in a finished basement. The opposite side of the wall is facing outdoors and are cement blocks. I'm worried that if I drill into the drywall I'll hit concrete, is there a way to tell? The wall also has an electrical outlet, don't know if that helps.
 
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Old 03-29-17, 07:49 PM
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Remove the cover plate from the receptacle and see if there is an edge of Sheetrock underneath.
 
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Old 03-30-17, 01:34 AM
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If there is drywall then there is probably a wall with studs. Can you get a look behind possible from the ceiling or another room, or the elec opening?

You can use a coat hanger wire next to the elec box (carefull there is electricity in the box) to probe to see how much space is back there!
 
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Old 04-02-17, 04:52 PM
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So I took off the recipicole and found that there is at least an inch between the drywall and concrete wall. So I found a stud and drilled, not a stud. I have drilled a bunch of testing holes with a small bit and have not found any stud. Not sure where to go from here. Any ideas?
 
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Old 04-02-17, 05:23 PM
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What is holding the box in ?
Usually there is a stud on either side.
 
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Old 04-02-17, 07:00 PM
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I pulled off the outlet and tried to take a closer look. After some prodding it seems that there is a stud on the right side and pink insulation on the left. When I try the stud finder it has it reversed: stud left nothing right. I was not able to get a really good look at what's on either side of the outlet though.
 
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Old 04-02-17, 08:17 PM
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You can measure in increments of 16" or 24" from the center of the stud you found to get a close approximation where other studs are. Use a 4d or 6d nail to verify stud location.
 
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Old 04-03-17, 03:08 PM
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I have measured 16 and 24 inches from the suspected stud, tapped a nail into it and found nothing, just the initial resistent then I can easiLY slide the nail in and out. Not sure what to do now. There is a window on the wall as well.
 

Last edited by deadpickle; 04-03-17 at 03:33 PM.
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Old 04-03-17, 04:46 PM
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I always tap with my finger. You can also try a magnetic stud finder.

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Old 04-03-17, 04:58 PM
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I have been using my electronic stud finder with no success. Would this be better?
 
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Old 04-03-17, 05:41 PM
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Can't say for sure if better but if the one you are using hasn't worked can't be worse.
I have measured 16 and 24 inches from the suspected stud, tapped a nail into it and found nothing
I've seen walls where the studs were eyeballed not measured. In this case since your test hole will be covered by the screen try more tests at one inch increments from your first point if nothing else works. What I might try as last resort is hole the size of a single gang old work box so I could feel around for a stud then close the hole with a box and blank cover.
 
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Old 04-03-17, 07:18 PM
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Finally I have found the studs!!! I have one quick question: are there studs above a basement window, commonly? They are in a non ideal place so I have to go over the window. What I'm really wor ride about is the electrical outlet between the studs.
 
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Old 04-03-17, 07:36 PM
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Post a picture of the window and area around it and we can make a better guess. Usually above there is a header with short studs between the header and ceiling and a stud plate with more short studs below the windows. http://www .doityourself.com/forum/l...rt-images.html
 
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Old 04-03-17, 07:50 PM
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Here is the picture via imgur [URL redacted]

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Last edited by ray2047; 04-03-17 at 09:03 PM. Reason: Add image. Remove Imgur URL.
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Old 04-03-17, 09:01 PM
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Looks like a solid header is probably above the window.
 
 

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