So, I just put a plasma on the wall above our gas fireplace, and I'm already contemplating wanting to put the wires in the walls, including a plug in behind the TV for a clean look. Any idea how much drywall hacking has to be done to accomplish this, or is it going to be different for different homes?

9/3/2008 9:15:07 PM

rule 1

make sure your holes are within the same studs.. haha. i didnt make that mistake, but you dont think about it.

i drilled a 2" hole behind the TV and ran the wires downwards using a wire clothes hanger to draw them through the wall.

then at the bottom i drilled another 2" hole and used one of those round computer desk plugs to make it blend in.

9/3/2008 9:31:48 PM

^

9/3/2008 9:34:49 PM

^^ ?

What did you do for power?

I have a big problem that I have a gas fireplace under the TV, so there is no running wires into the wall at the bottom and out at the top behind the TV. Is the only solution to pull out big swaths of drywall and drill holes in the actual studs to route the wires through this way?

9/3/2008 9:39:24 PM

is there access to the attic above?

you can always use surface conduit like this

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=186070-35681-CH51-W&lpage=none




other wise you will need to invest in a flexible drill bit like this and develop some skills, i have one that i used the shit out of wiring older houses, but i don't live in raleigh anymore






[Edited on September 3, 2008 at 9:55 PM. Reason : ]

9/3/2008 9:49:19 PM

No attic above, I'm on the first floor of a 2 story joint. I suppose the surface conduit would look a little more conspicuous than the bare wires. And, never new a drill bit like that existed. How the hell does that work? You shove it into a hole in the wall between studs, get it to turn sideways, and drill through?

9/3/2008 9:58:16 PM

you cut the hole for the box 2 1/2"x4", then use a special hook and that bit
and drill through the studs, haeder or footer, it has a hole in the end to attach your wires to from wherever, pull it back through and install a box like this that anchors in the drywall



[Edited on September 3, 2008 at 10:02 PM. Reason : the hook can bend the bit inside the wall]

9/3/2008 10:02:05 PM

depending on what tools you have layin around you may just be better off having someone mount it for you. once you consider 200$ in new tools then another 6 hours of your life figuring things out and then constantly have to worry about if its gonna hold up and/ or catch fire firedog doesn't look so bad.

9/3/2008 11:13:38 PM

9/3/2008 11:23:56 PM

It's already mounted. I didn't plan ahead to do the wiring and I wanted to go ahead and get it on the wall so I can watch it. However, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and am already wanting to have the wires come out the back for a clean look. But, I'll probably call around and get a quote from an electrician and see if I can have him pull the HDMI through while he is at it.

9/4/2008 10:18:56 AM

Just put the TV in the fireplace, gas sucks anyhow.

9/4/2008 10:40:22 AM