Apartment ceiling: how big of gap between drywall and studs?

[Stridulent]

Trying to mount the projector in my new apartment which is on the first floor. How big of a gap is there between the drywall and the ceiling? I'm super paranoid about hitting a water pipe or electrical circuit. I'm using a stud finder and I can even see places where there is a slight indentation, leading me to believe there is a stud there. But when I drill through the drywall, I get a gap and then hit something hard, but I run out of drill bit. The bit I am using is only 3 inches long, so I probably need a longer one.. But can anyone give me some pointers to help solidify my guess of where the actual stud is.

[roar]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

Trying to mount the projector in my new apartment which is on the first floor. How big of a gap is there between the drywall and the ceiling? I'm super paranoid about hitting a water pipe or electrical circuit. I'm using a stud finder and I can even see places where there is a slight indentation, leading me to believe there is a stud there. But when I drill through the drywall, I get a gap and then hit something hard, but I run out of drill bit. The bit I am using is only 3 inches long, so I probably need a longer one.. But can anyone give me some pointers to help solidify my guess of where the actual stud is.

I'm not sure anyone is going to be able to give you a definitive answer on this one. Even if you looked up the code in your area there is nothing saying the builder didn't exceed the code... I'd be very hesitant to drill much further than you already have as I agree with you and would also feel very paranoid about hitting something you don't want to.

Is there no shelf mounting possibility at the back of the room?

Just looked at your gallery... haven't done that in a while, love your poster art.... anyway... if you're still in the same spot what about opening up a section of the ceiling to get a better look at what your dealing with. It didn't look like you had a stucco ceiling so a patch job would be pretty straight forward.

[Anthony P]

assuming by apartment you mean a rented place in a building (as opposed to a condo or something like that where it can be owned by you), then you would need permission to do anything like that from the apartment building owner. If you did get permission you could also try asking them, they might have plans and stuff that can help you.

[Stridulent]

Originally Posted by roar

I'm not sure anyone is going to be able to give you a definitive answer on this one. Even if you looked up the code in your area there is nothing saying the builder didn't exceed the code... I'd be very hesitant to drill much further than you already have as I agree with you and would also feel very paranoid about hitting something you don't want to.

Is there no shelf mounting possibility at the back of the room?

Just looked at your gallery... haven't done that in a while, love your poster art.... anyway... if you're still in the same spot what about opening up a section of the ceiling to get a better look at what your dealing with. It didn't look like you had a stucco ceiling so a patch job would be pretty straight forward.

I think the ceiling is out of the question, just to be on the safe side. I am investigating ways to maybe hang the projector from the wall. If the Epson 8350 was not so huge, I would consider putting it on a wall mounted shelf.

[Stitches]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

I think the ceiling is out of the question, just to be on the safe side. I am investigating ways to maybe hang the projector from the wall. If the Epson 8350 was not so huge, I would consider putting it on a wall mounted shelf.

Doesn't this shelf fit?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's 18" x 20" according to the product page (if it wasn't right, you could return it with minimal hassle).

[Stridulent]

Originally Posted by Stitches

Doesn't this shelf fit?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's 18" x 20" according to the product page (if it wasn't right, you could return it with minimal hassle).

It looks like it will fit. I'll give it a go. I kind of wish the bottom wasn't glass. The bottom of the epson isn't anything to marvel at.

[Stitches]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

It looks like it will fit. I'll give it a go. I kind of wish the bottom wasn't glass. The bottom of the epson isn't anything to marvel at.

Well good thing it will behind you then.

[MrFattBill]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

Trying to mount the projector in my new apartment which is on the first floor. How big of a gap is there between the drywall and the ceiling? I'm super paranoid about hitting a water pipe or electrical circuit. I'm using a stud finder and I can even see places where there is a slight indentation, leading me to believe there is a stud there. But when I drill through the drywall, I get a gap and then hit something hard, but I run out of drill bit. The bit I am using is only 3 inches long, so I probably need a longer one.. But can anyone give me some pointers to help solidify my guess of where the actual stud is.

What is the stud finder telling you?

Bill

[Stridulent]

Originally Posted by MrFattBill

What is the stud finder telling you?

Bill

It is detecting studs that seem to be larger than 2 inches wide (some 3, some 4, some 6). I also don't think it can detect piping, and the ideal location for the mount is close to where their kitchen sink would be.

Also, it being the ceiling and not a wall, the stud finder just doesn't seem to be nearly as accurate.

If I were to wall mount it, the stud is on a convex corner so it is completely obvious how big the stud is and practically guaranteed that no wires or pipes are there.

[Stridulent]

Originally Posted by Stitches

Well good thing it will behind you then.

Ordered!

[Crimson King]

talking drywall, the there is a very soft spot of drywall on my ceiling corner of my bedroom, I just touched it ever so slightly the other day and it cracked and some dry brown stuff came out of it!

[Stridulent]

Got the shelf up and projector running. Very pleased. Thanks for the recommendation.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujxjsearjb...710_192046.jpg