I've decided I want to replace my entertainment center some time in the near future (read: in the next year or whenever I get around to it). I got the entertainment center at the dump's swap shop when I moved in here 7 years ago, and it was very old and pretty beat up then. I want to replace the big behemouth with 2 smaller audio/media cabinets.
I did a little bit of research, and it came down to two kits, a Dynex from Best B*y and another off Amaz*n. I choose the Dynex for $49 (plus I had a $5 reward from replacing my router last month). Hey, and I got free shipping - ordered in on Monday and it was at my door on Wednesday.
The mount kit is very sturdy and almost 15 pounds. I followed the directions (shocker, I don't do that nearly as often as I should), used the template to drill the holes in studs and then got ready to install it. I always have a variety of boxes and scrap pieces of wood to help me mount things to the wall, so it was just a matter of finding the correct mixture.
This combo, using cutoffs from the stair backers that I used for resurfacing my stairs during the summer, placed the mount at the perfect height so all I had to do was screw in the bolts
The nerve wracking part of course was lifting the TV up there. I don't know if the newer units are lighter, but I can tell you 2010 flat screens were heavy. Thank goodness it is only a 46" wide - I could just get my hands to grip either side. I did use a combo of a different box and cut offs from stair steps to hold the TV until I could climb on top of the entertainment center to lift it the last 2"
Well done, Bogie. I would have wall-mounted my own TV (in my den); but, your dad has a coronary when I hang a calendar or picture, let alone anything that big.
Fortunately for you, your TV isn't a CRT. I remember when I changed out your dad's old CRT for a 36" flat screen. I positioned his recliner under the mantel on which the CRT stood, Extended it out so that the head of the recliner was in the "drop zone", and tipped the CRT forward letting gravity do the rest. Fortunately for me, it hit face-first on the head of the recliner and tumbled onto its side on the seat. Then, as you note, even a 36" flat screen was a challenge for me to lift up onto the mantel.
When the 36" flat screen proved too small for HH, I took it into my den as my own TV and bought him a 45" flat screen - which he helped me lift up onto the mantel. When HH's cataracts got bad, I wanted to get HH a 66" flat screen; but, he didn't want me to take down the cabinets above the mantel that limit the size of screen that will fit. Not that those cabinets are useful. They can't be opened even with the 45" TV in place and they hold our lifetime accumulation of DVR tapes that haven't been watched in 15 years.
Notice how I easily "blame" HH for everything? That's part of our bargain. We get to blame one another!
Posted by: Cop Car | November 01, 2020 at 10:16 AM
We have a 2008 or so flat screen. Its a freaking awesome TV with awesome picture. And I'm NOT looking forward to having to replace it. Cause yah, heavy as hell.....
Posted by: Ruth | November 01, 2020 at 10:51 AM
Ruth, I understand - this old Samsung has a great picture and I hope it keeps going for many, many, many more years!
CC - I remember the old 36" CRT that we had before getting the flat screen (the one I currently have). I think that sucker was 80 pound. I can't say I approve of how you got that thing moved, but I guess it worked, so who am I to argue with success?
Posted by: bogie | November 01, 2020 at 03:10 PM
Bogie--There's an old saying that, if one understands mechanics, one can do anything. (I'm a firm believer.) As I recall, and it was a fortunate thing, your dad was away on assignment when I replaced the no-longer-functional CRT. He would have had a conniption fit. I had to take that sucker apart to cart it out to the curb for pickup.
I hate it when HH wants to help me with the heavy lifting because, as do many tall, thin people, he has troubles with his back. In fact, of our Wichita-area family, Rachie & I are the only ones who do not have back problems.
Posted by: Cop Car | November 02, 2020 at 09:12 AM
*snickering* Yes, Rachie and I are the shortest members - she being 1" taller than me.
Posted by: Cop Car | November 02, 2020 at 09:13 AM