Expert: Alan Kahn - 4/18/2007

Question
QUESTION: Alan, I purchase a TKO heavy bag wall mount(http://www.boxingdepot.com/bx-hv-92.html). It says that it can mount to any standard wall stud. I not sure what is the best way to mount this on the wall. I don't want the wall to come crashing. I also purchase a 70lb heavy bag for this mount. It can hold up to 100lb. What would be to best way to mount to the wall and what type of screw fixtures should I use?


ANSWER: Hi Derick

Well, I have not seen or used that unit, and I don't know how thick the steel is or how wide the holes are. I assume you are putting this on a sheetrock wall with wooden studs behind it?  First thing you need to find out is if you studs are on 16 or 24 inch centers. That depends on when the wall was built, were in the US and the local codes, so you will need to "sound" your wall to find the studs, and measure the distance between them. I assume one pair of the holes (4 holes, close in and at the ends) will line up on the studs. Once you know the distance between the studs, figure out where on the wall you want to place the unit and which studs will be supporting the weight.

I believe that the more studs you can include to hold this unit, the better, so If it were ME, I'd attach several horizontal 1x4 wooden runners on the wall, crossing FOUR (4) studs. For studs on 16 inch centers, that is 64 inches, so I would cut the boards at 70 inches each to allow some over lap. Here is a sample picture, with the TOP sample, and three horizontal wooden runners.  http://www.speedbagcentral.com/ssp/speed_bag_setups#A

the wood adds extra support by moving the loads to more studs over a wider surface, AND protects the wall better from slight hanger shift and vibration.

Now for your Hanging Hardware, I would use three pieces, Hex Head Lag Bolts, Wall anchors and Washers.

Hex Head Lag Bolts http://store.nutsandbolts.com/lag-bolts-hex-zinc-coarse.html  either 1/4 inch or smaller 3/16  size by 3 inches. the length may depend, so I would place the iron hanger over the wood and measure that distance. Lets say it is 2 inches thick. That is laying on the wall, and you want to have at least 1-1/2 or 2 inches of screw IN the wall, so the length of the bolt will depend. I normally use 3 inch lag bolts for speed bag hangers like shown in that picture, but this heavier unit may actually require 4 inches long bolts. Here is a sample "hanging kit" from Ringside.
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=24698



If I'm not screwing into a stud, I would put some type of wall anchor into the sheetrock. This will be behind the wood, so you will have to measure these out, line it up and put the anchors in the wall first. Here are some anchor styles.

http://www.plastic-anchors.com/super_plastic_anchors.htm

http://www.plastic-anchors.com/heavy_duty_shield_anchors.htm

Or ask the sales people at the local store where you buy these what kind of anchor may be best for you specific wall and bolt size.

Also, I would use washers under the bolt head.

That should be all you need, but the key is to line this all up, get your studs measured, your holes drilled, your horizontal wooden runners attached to the wall and the heavy bag unit hung. I attach the wooden runners first, placing two smaller screws just off center. I want the center of the wood clear for the heavy bag hanger hole. So you may need several smaller wood screws to anchor the wood first. once the wooden runners are up, hopefully any NON-studded hole in the wall has the anchors placed and everything is lined up.  A little pre-planning can help make this right.  

That is how I would do it on a standard wall.  I hope this description helps you out and good luck with your efforts and your training.  

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you think I need to put more than 2 horizontal wood runners over 4 studs for this heavy bag mount? How many bolts total do you think I would need? I figured about 20 hex lag bolts and washers. And 4 wall anchors for the inside mounting holes?
ANSWER: Hi Derick

Looking at the wall mount unit, I don't know how you could use more than two horizontal 1x4 runners.  the vertical center of this wall unit is round, so a piece of wood under it might not do very well, and the top part looks to need some clearance to move sideways.  And more wood might also add more weight to the wall, which your probably don't need.

As far as the number of lag bolts, I don't think you would need 20. If they are 1/4 thick, a 2x4 stud sideways is not quite 2 inches wide. Putting several bolts into it close together would probably split the 2x4. I've actually done that before when hanging a speed bag unit, and then you have a major remodeling job replacing that stud.

I would put one lag bolt through the horizontal runner into each stud. That would be 8 total, and you might use smaller 3/16 size for the wider parts that are out past the wall unit, and use a 1/4 in bolt for the stud that goes through the metal wall unit, through the horizontal runner, and into the stud. IF you are going to put some bolts though the wood into the sheetrock with anchors, then You might use two on each runner, or maybe 4 IF you want a bolt in each stud and one inbetween. That would be 16 bolts (8 in the studs, 8 inbetween). Actually, for going through the wood 1x4 but being UNDER the bag hanger, (not through the bolt holes on the bag hanger, but under the iron) you will need Screws that can countersink slightly into the wood. Something like this: http://store.nutsandbolts.com/screws.html
These can go either into studs or into anchors but if you have any area UNDER the metal horizontal hanger, the bolts won't work, for they will rest on top of the 1x4 wood.

If possible, I would drill all holes first and then try to put plastic anchors in first. Then hang your horizontal 1x4 runners. Then you can match up at least on pair of holes on your metal heavy bag hanger on a stud. hopefully it is made to line up on each end.

Hope this helps. Sorry I forgot about the flat head screws needed under the horizontal Iron Runner on the bag hanger. I imagine that will require at least two screws per board.

I hope your wall can support the unit and 70lb bag. remember, If you get the bag swing and bouncing on the chain, it's going to increase the force on the wall....

again, good luck with your project.

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mr. Kahn, I'm not sure that I understood this part of you 2nd follow up answer:

"you are going to put some bolts though the wood into the sheetrock with anchors, then You might use two on each runner, or maybe 4 IF you want a bolt in each stud and one inbetween. That would be 16 bolts (8 in the studs, 8 inbetween). Actually, for going through the wood 1x4 but being UNDER the bag hanger, (not through the bolt holes on the bag hanger, but under the iron) you will need Screws that can countersink slightly into the wood. Something like this: http://store.nutsandbolts.com/screws.html
These can go either into studs or into anchors but if you have any area UNDER the metal horizontal hanger, the bolts won't work, for they will rest on top of the 1x4 wood."

Answer
I was alluding to the fact that your metal bag hanger has metal horizontal runners that will rest on top of the 1x4 wood runners.  The metal hanger has 4 holes that you will put bolts through and hopefully two of those will be into wall studs.  But you may want to put some screws through the boards and into the wall in places that do not have a hole in the metal bag hanger. the screw in the wood will be UNDER the metal runner, and that's why you will need a screw that can countersink slightly into the wood. You would also want a plastic or other anchor in the wall that the screw fits into, for the screw will slip in the sheetrock. If you do not understand what I mean, than I would just stick with the several (4 or 6 ) bolts in each wood runner and the center bolts going through the metal bag hanger and into studs, if possible.

I hope you understand what I mean by that.

good luck with your project.

Alan Kahn
author, The speed bag bible