Do-it-yourself projector mounts offer affordable installation solutions.
As the prices of affordable home theater projectors drops, the impetus for finding inexpensive do-it-yourself mounts increases. Most projectors are lightweight, making these options viable in most cases. Making a custom mount offers an array of cosmetic choices, with the ability for creative installers to visually integrate the piece of technology into various decors. The components required for building these mounts is typically found in major hardware stores, keeping costs at a minimum.
Threaded Pipe
A popular option for mounting projectors is to use a threaded pipe. At the projector and ceiling side, the threaded base screws on, with the pipe threading into it. The key with this option is to ensure the bases are secured to the ceiling, preferably directly to a rafter. These materials are painted to match the projector or the ceiling, blending otherwise unattractive yet durable hardware into the environment. Many commercial projector mount companies use this approach for extensions if the projector needs to be lowered from the ceiling.
Attic Mount
This technique uses four threaded rods, bolted through the ceiling from the attic. These rods attach through a piece of solid material, such as medium density fiberboard. The board and rods are secured with the appropriate-sized nuts, then the projector is mounted to the board. This technique is predicated on the attic having a plywood floor, since you do not want to rely on drywall to support the projector and mounting hardware.
Drop Ceiling
Mounting through a drop ceiling is accomplished by bolting an medium density fiberboard or wood mounting plate to the rafters above the tiles. Using a similar technique as the threaded pipe mount, the threaded plate bolts to the board. From there, the pipe protrudes through a cut hole in one of the tiles, screwing to another plate, which is attached to the projector.
Threaded Rods/
For drop ceilings that extend far below the rafters, you must first attach the plywood or medium density fiberboard board to the rafters with screws or bolts. From there, threaded rods of the appropriate length attach to the board, descending through the space between the rafter and tiles. These protrude through one of the tiles and bolt through a second plate. The projector mounts to the second plate forming a secure mount.
Tags: density fiberboard, medium density, medium density fiberboard, density fiberboard board, Drop Ceiling, fiberboard board