I recently had a contractor to help me install a TV mount. The mount is fixed to the wall and studs behind it using four 5/16×2-3/4 lag bolts. Later I found out you are supposed to drill pilot holes before putting in lag bolts, but the contractor did not do this. How likely are the 2×4 studs behind the wall damaged?
The consequence of using lag bolts without pilot holes
fastener
Related Solutions
I hang my posters gallery-style. Get a piece of glass (or plexi) cut to the exact size of the poster. Buy some nice hanging nails and use them to rest the glass on - one at each corner. The nails pictured below have a really nice edge, hold the glass well, and leave very little damage to the wall.
You can pick these up at a hardware store or a framing store.
I've hung entire shows this method and it's very nice. I also used to work at a gallery and this method was the preferred method for hanging flat artwork. No framing of any kind was needed.
I would drill your holes for the rack through your cabinet, then drill some counter-sink holes on the inside of your cabinet so your bolts are flush with the inside. You can find some flat headed bolts to use for this at any hardware store. Have the head of your bolt on the inside of the cabinet and secure it with a lock washer and nut. You should not need anything too thick as far as bolts go for this. You idea on how to mount them will be fine. The bad thing is that now you will have holes in your cabinet, so if you do not like it or if you want to remove it, you have just ruined your cabinets in a sense.
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Best Answer
Pilot holes are done for two reasons. One is to help prevent the stud from splitting and the second is to make the lag bolt or screw easier to install. The ease of installation is important because the head of a lag bolt can shear off when excessive torque is applied.
As long as your lag bolts are firmly holding the TV in place with no wobble in the mounting bracket you should be fine.