Need your advice. I will be installing a 20U CablesToGo swing rack on a wall. I asked the contractor to put plywood (1/2 inch)on the wall before drywalling but I believe they only put the plywood BETWEEN the metal studs and drywalled on top. The rack will hold about 80lbs of weight (UPS of 66lbs is the heaviest). What kind of mounting hardware should I use? I was thinking of using screws that have bolts where the "wings" spread open once they pass through the plywood. Will that suffice? Should I aim to get the rack mounting hardware go through the metal studs of just the plywood? Should I add another board behind my rack and then put more screws between my board and the wall since the rack only has mounting screws in the for corners?

Thanks
fs483

I'd use 1/4" x 3" toggle bolts and 1-1/4" fender washers.

Thanks EV607797, I meant toggle boths rated for 300 lbs when I said bolts with wings! So no need to add an extra plywood for more mounting points against the wall? The Rack is rated for 100 lbs so I'm ok for the load. Received the rack and it's actually from https://www.mayvilleproducts.com/pr...yID=27&marketID=0&productID=2733

Not bad for a little over $200.

If you know for sure that plywood is behind the sheetrock, you will be fine with 1/4" toggle bolts. If you drill 5/8" holes for the toggles and don't hit wood, then I'd attach my own piece of plywood to the surface and screw it to the studs.

If this is the case, use fine-thread screws, not the coarse ones to mount the plywood. Some construction adhesive on the back wouldn't be a bad idea and it is cheap insurance.

...also don't forget that in almost all AHJ's plywood is a no-no :nono: .

You need a fire-rated backboard, and DON'T PAINT IT!

Yes there's plywood. I saw it myself. Not sure if the AHJ in Quebec require fire rated board though. In Quebec, I've seen every kind of wood board possible used a backboard in telecom/electrical rooms and they never got any complaints from the AHJ. Will pickup some toggle bolts this weekend to do the install.

Thanks

if you hve 1/2 plywood, you could use lag bolts as well.. 4 lag bolts and you should be able to hang on it no problem.

I ended up using 8 1/4x4 (3inch toggle bolts were too short) toggle bolts to up the rack.

Thanks for all your help.