Running Wires behind walls - Blu-ray Forum

pedigree · 09-16-2007, 06:06 AM

I've had my tv mounted on my wall now for about a month and i'm yet to run the wires behind the wall. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on methods to do this with the least amount of damage/effort. Also, if anyone knows where to look into to get pannels to cover up the holes where the wires meet the wall.
Thanks in advance

crackinhedz · 09-16-2007, 06:34 AM

not sure what the best way to get behind the wall is...but you can use something like this to cover...

HDMI Wall Plate

or

HDMI Decora Style Wall Plate

ps. if you ever want to give that car away as charity, I'll give you my address.

Zaphod · 09-16-2007, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedigree

I've had my tv mounted on my wall now for about a month and i'm yet to run the wires behind the wall. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on methods to do this with the least amount of damage/effort. Also, if anyone knows where to look into to get pannels to cover up the holes where the wires meet the wall.
Thanks in advance

The easiest is up and around (hopefully you won't have any purlins (aka fire blocks). Up the wall to the attic, then over and down to wherevever you are plugging into. In order to run across, meaning horizontally, you would have to remove drywall and drill through the studs which are probably spaced 18 inches apart

RUR · 09-16-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedigree

I've had my tv mounted on my wall now for about a month and i'm yet to run the wires behind the wall. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on methods to do this with the least amount of damage/effort. Also, if anyone knows where to look into to get pannels to cover up the holes where the wires meet the wall.
Thanks in advance

Drywall or plaster? Wooden framing or steel? How many and what types of cables? How long is the run? Up/down or sideways (or both)?

Ideally, you could post a photo of the setup as-is, describing what you want to do.

I mounted a 42" plasma on my BR wall, running the wires within the wall. It's not difficult, provided you have some basic tools and a little patience. PM me if you wish.

powerSURG · 09-16-2007, 02:48 PM

I'm going to assume you're talking about drywall. This is how i ran my wires:

You'll need two tools; A dremel and a standard philips screw driver. You'll also need to buy two wall plate mounts and two wall plates if you so desire. I didn't put any plates up as they are not seen behind my television/entertainment center, but i did install the mounts as they keep the edges of the drywall strong.

http://www.cporotarytools.com/entire_selection/565.html <<<can be purchased at lowes for the same price and is used to cut straight lines in drywall.
The wall plate mounts are about $2-5 at lowes (they are orange and found in the electrical wall box aisle; I couldn't find them online) they are adjustable and very easy to install.

Step:
1. Decide where the two holes will be and of course make sure they are between the same two studs

2. Place the wall mount against the wall, level it, then trace the inside of the rectangular wall plate mount onto the drywall (make sure it is not on a stud)

3. Take your dremel with drywall cutting kit and cut along the traced rectangle on the wall

4. Insert wall plate mount (should be rather snug) and tighten the adjustable supports with your screwdriver or fingers

5. Repeat with the other hole

6. pass the cables trough

7. if you decided to use wall plates, connect all cables before screwing the plate down to the plate mount

IF you use plates, it'll look rather professional, but if the holes aren't going to be visible, just leave em be until you decide to sell the house.

AV_Integrated · 09-17-2007, 05:46 PM

Running wires is a skill that ranges from fairly easy to incredibly difficult.

At the end of the day, it is all about determining where you actually need to get the wires to and WHAT is in the way.

EASY: As listed above, running wires straight up the wall from a equipment rack to a on-wall plasma/lcd is very easy. If there is no insulation in the wall, it's even easier.

MEDIUM: Open attic above the work gives an access point that is not always easy to get to, but allows direct pathways and few headaches.

HARD: Throw in a bunch of firestops with a 7.1 audio setup and a front projector WITHOUT attic access and things get a lot more difficult. Add some outside walls with insultion and ome firestops and things get darn near impossible without turning your walls into swiss cheese.

Wire fish tape is often a minumum necessity when running cabling and is available at Lowes/Home Depot for under 30 bucks. Push rods, magnets & chains, etc. are more advanced tools that you may not have a need for and take some practice, but are very useful when you do need them.

Most of all - if you want help, then details are necessary.

pedigree · 09-17-2007, 06:47 PM

im no bob vila so im not gonna be doing something too too elaborate. this is for my bedroom with drywall and access to the attic. its not gonna be a short distance but not more than 10feet and probably less (thats as long as my hdmi is). im gonna be running 3 cables (hdmi, power, and cable) but most likely to two seperate locations. the hdmi will be running to my ps3 at a distant location and the power down to my power bar. the cable shouldnt be that big of a deal as i had to run it from another room so its down through my ceiling anyway.
what would be the easiest way to do this?

AV_Integrated · 09-17-2007, 07:08 PM

If you are going up through the attic to run wiring, then the hardest part is locating the correct stud to drill through and ensuring that you are drilling in the correct part of the wall - between the correct studs.

It is better, if you have a long flexible drill bit, to go up from the plasma/lcd location and drill a hole up through the stud. But, you need a long flexible drill be to do this.

OR - You can cut a hole in the drywall up near the ceiling and drill through right at that location and then see the drill bit sticking out when you go into the attic.

If just coming down the wall - just cut a couple of holes the size of wall plates (use double gang plates) and pull them through. Pretty straightforward.

09-16-2007, 06:06 AM	#1
pedigree Power Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Montreal, Canada	Running Wires behind walls I've had my tv mounted on my wall now for about a month and i'm yet to run the wires behind the wall. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on methods to do this with the least amount of damage/effort. Also, if anyone knows where to look into to get pannels to cover up the holes where the wires meet the wall. Thanks in advance

09-16-2007, 06:34 AM	#2
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	not sure what the best way to get behind the wall is...but you can use something like this to cover... HDMI Wall Plate or HDMI Decora Style Wall Plate ps. if you ever want to give that car away as charity, I'll give you my address. Last edited by crackinhedz; 09-16-2007 at 06:42 AM.

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09-16-2007, 02:48 PM	#5
powerSURG Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Shaw AFB, SC Blu-ray collection:42	I'm going to assume you're talking about drywall. This is how i ran my wires: You'll need two tools; A dremel and a standard philips screw driver. You'll also need to buy two wall plate mounts and two wall plates if you so desire. I didn't put any plates up as they are not seen behind my television/entertainment center, but i did install the mounts as they keep the edges of the drywall strong. http://www.cporotarytools.com/entire_selection/565.html <<<can be purchased at lowes for the same price and is used to cut straight lines in drywall. The wall plate mounts are about $2-5 at lowes (they are orange and found in the electrical wall box aisle; I couldn't find them online) they are adjustable and very easy to install. Step: 1. Decide where the two holes will be and of course make sure they are between the same two studs 2. Place the wall mount against the wall, level it, then trace the inside of the rectangular wall plate mount onto the drywall (make sure it is not on a stud) 3. Take your dremel with drywall cutting kit and cut along the traced rectangle on the wall 4. Insert wall plate mount (should be rather snug) and tighten the adjustable supports with your screwdriver or fingers 5. Repeat with the other hole 6. pass the cables trough 7. if you decided to use wall plates, connect all cables before screwing the plate down to the plate mount IF you use plates, it'll look rather professional, but if the holes aren't going to be visible, just leave em be until you decide to sell the house.

09-17-2007, 05:46 PM	#6
AV_Integrated Senior Member Member since:Jan 2005	Running wires is a skill that ranges from fairly easy to incredibly difficult. At the end of the day, it is all about determining where you actually need to get the wires to and WHAT is in the way. EASY: As listed above, running wires straight up the wall from a equipment rack to a on-wall plasma/lcd is very easy. If there is no insulation in the wall, it's even easier. MEDIUM: Open attic above the work gives an access point that is not always easy to get to, but allows direct pathways and few headaches. HARD: Throw in a bunch of firestops with a 7.1 audio setup and a front projector WITHOUT attic access and things get a lot more difficult. Add some outside walls with insultion and ome firestops and things get darn near impossible without turning your walls into swiss cheese. Wire fish tape is often a minumum necessity when running cabling and is available at Lowes/Home Depot for under 30 bucks. Push rods, magnets & chains, etc. are more advanced tools that you may not have a need for and take some practice, but are very useful when you do need them. Most of all - if you want help, then details are necessary.

09-17-2007, 06:47 PM	#7
pedigree Power Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Montreal, Canada	im no bob vila so im not gonna be doing something too too elaborate. this is for my bedroom with drywall and access to the attic. its not gonna be a short distance but not more than 10feet and probably less (thats as long as my hdmi is). im gonna be running 3 cables (hdmi, power, and cable) but most likely to two seperate locations. the hdmi will be running to my ps3 at a distant location and the power down to my power bar. the cable shouldnt be that big of a deal as i had to run it from another room so its down through my ceiling anyway. what would be the easiest way to do this?

09-17-2007, 07:08 PM	#8
AV_Integrated Senior Member Member since:Jan 2005	If you are going up through the attic to run wiring, then the hardest part is locating the correct stud to drill through and ensuring that you are drilling in the correct part of the wall - between the correct studs. It is better, if you have a long flexible drill bit, to go up from the plasma/lcd location and drill a hole up through the stud. But, you need a long flexible drill be to do this. OR - You can cut a hole in the drywall up near the ceiling and drill through right at that location and then see the drill bit sticking out when you go into the attic. If just coming down the wall - just cut a couple of holes the size of wall plates (use double gang plates) and pull them through. Pretty straightforward.

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