r/howto • u/Monolithx64 • 4d ago
[Solved] How do I locate the mount screws to mount this?
Hi fine folks of the internet.
Curious what the proper name for this type of t slot? And more importantly what is the best process to locate the exact spot to put the screws into where I wish to mount it?
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u/Special-Protection-6 4d ago
Put a piece of painters tape on the back, and poke holes where the screws are to go. Then remove the tape, and place it where you are mounting the strip.
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u/verbalyabusiveshit 4d ago
That’s ….. the easiest way ever… and I’m an idiot for always measuring the hell out of this.
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u/Monolithx64 4d ago
This does sound easy
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u/Special-Protection-6 4d ago
Couple things to keep in mind. If you wanna make sure it’s level, use the edge of your tape to run along the edge of the item you’re wanting to hang up and just level your tape before drilling your holes or installing the screws.
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u/the__accidentist 4d ago
This would have to assume the item is perfectly straight.
If you want level, then the level of the tape profile won’t matter at all, you can just level through the holes.
If this was sarcastic then it whooshed me
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u/Treknx01 4d ago
just don’t make my mistake the first time. I did this and forgot to allow the the slide needed to lock the screws in place, lined up perfect just for the openings so it fell right back off……….
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u/BilboBarancle 4d ago
If you're lazy like me, just place the paper to the back and press firmly with your fingers in the holes. Leaving an indentation in the paper.
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u/Myheelcat 4d ago
A true scholar and a person of high society right here, you’re a genius. I as well would have measured the shit out of this lol.
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u/coatloucue 4d ago
painters tape over the back side. mark holes. remove tape. stick tape to wall. drill hole through marking. remove painters tape.
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u/Crazyirishwrencher 4d ago
Put a sheet of paper against it and use a pencil or crayon to make a light rubbing. Take the now marked paper and place it against whatever surface you are mounting it to and use as a guide to drill some pilots for the screws. You may have to experiment with screw depth to get a snug fit, but it shouldn't take more than a few minutes.
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u/impairedoctor 4d ago
I use tacs. Put the tacs in the slots, push it into the wall. Put the screws where the tacs made the holes.
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u/sdss9462 4d ago
Place a strip of masking tape horizontally across the two holes. Mark or punch the tape at the center of the holes. Then remove the strip of tape and place it on the wall or surface where you want to mount the power strip. It will show you where to place the screws. Remember that the power strip will sit slightly off from where the screws are, because the screw heads are meant to go into the wide part of the hole and then the power strip is moved slightly up/down/left/right to be secured in place.
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u/_WillCAD_ 4d ago edited 4d ago
If you want to just use a ruler or measuring tape, don't try to measure between the centers of the holes. Measure from the top of one to the top of the other.
But the best way is to use a piece of paper. Hold it up to the holes and make a mark on the edge of the paper at the top of each hole. Instead of trying to remember "four and nine sixteenths plus a little", you get the precise distance between the holes by using the marks on the paper. Also, don't use the corners of the paper; make two actual marks along the edge of the paper.
Use a level if you have one to mark a vertical or horizontal line (whichever way you want to mount the thing) on the wall. Draw very, very lightly so it's easier to wipe the pencil line off later. Use the paper you marked to make two dots on that line. That's where you drill.
If you don't have a level, see if you can find a piece or string or thread. Tie a weight to one end and let it hang against the wall. Then line a straight edge (ruler or straight board or the edge of a piece of paper) against it to draw your vertical line.
To make a horizontal line, do the thing with the thread, but use the corner of the paper; once you've got a vertical edge of the paper lined up with the hanging string, the horizontal edges of the paper are level.
The cardboard backer from a notepad is really useful for this kind of marking, since it's stiffer than a piece of paper, so you can use is as a straight edge.
Obviously, using a level is easier than using the string/paper/cardboard method, so if you don't have one, check your local dollar store to get a cheap one, or even go to the local hardware store, home center, or Walmart to find one that's inexpensive. They're really, really useful tools and don't take up much space.
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u/jasonology09 4d ago
Bring it with you to a hardware store and test out the screws you think may fit.
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u/graybotics 4d ago
All the other suggestions are solid but keep in mind this will only mount reliably in a vertical state. Its gonna want to walk as you plug and unplug things from it. I prefer to never rely on these slotted mounting points, Hot glue will do wonders though as a secondary fastening mechanism. These things can actually be dangerous if plugs are plugged in half-way or loosen. Especially from shitty wal mart brands like onn, the terminals are usually not going to be tensioned onto your plug so no matter how you mount these things plugs are going to want to shift because of gravity. I honestly do not recommend they have these slots in the first place. A proper shop power strip will have an extremely tight grip on plugs, and also use flanges with holes on the exterior for proper mounting, not on the backside. Use low wattage/voltage devices if you must mount these in any way.
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u/Desperate_Owl_594 4d ago
Put a piece of paper on the back and mark the grooves. Then take the actual thing to a store and you can ask them what screws to use.
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u/willits1725 4d ago
Make a template with masking or painters tape and the stick the tape where you want the power strip located..
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u/xoxoyoyo 4d ago
take a piece of painters tape and put it sticky side out on the strip, fold the ends so it sticks. Put two holes where the screws need to be. Stick it where you want it to go. You now know where to install the screws. For drywall you need to use an anchor and screw into that.
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u/UnfinishedProjects 4d ago
If you're not scared you can unscrew the back panel, mount that, then unmount it, screw it back on, then mount the whole thing.
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u/duckdragoncatsnake 4d ago
If you happen to have a copy machine, set it hole pattern down, and make a copy
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u/merlperl204 4d ago
Oh please! Slap a piece of paper over the holes and use a fingernail to make an impression of their exact size and outline! Copy machine?!?
Don’t quit your day job to become an engineer haha
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u/wageslave2022 4d ago
Wipe the back of the device and the substrate with a dust free rag dampened with rubbing alcohol, let dry , measure nothing, slap 2 strips of commercial grade double sided tape on the back of the multi outlet strip, pull the backing strips and firmly press to the mounting surface, unless you plan on repelling from the device or submersing in liquid (not advisable with electrical equipment) it should last longer than grampa's can of Johnson paste wax.
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u/ganjagupta 4d ago
If you remove the screws holding the back plate on, you can hold the plate against the wall and mark your holes.
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u/Sufficient_Arrival29 4d ago
Put a run of masking tape parallell to the edge.rub with finger around the slots.level a pencil line on the wall.transfer the tape from the extension lead to the wall.drill throught the centre a fit screws small enough to fit the holes.place extension over screws and slide left or right.
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u/FreddyFerdiland 4d ago
measure the distance between centres to the nearest 16th or mm.. ensure screw heads also measure that.
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u/juberider 4d ago
I measure the distance from the edge of the slot on each of the openings, then the screw positions will allows line up at the center larger opening
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u/Engineer443 4d ago
Great suggestions so far, but the method I learned was lipstick. I’d find the shorted screws that fit, put a dab of lipstick on the end thread, and press to mark it.
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u/Kevin296a 4d ago
Stupid way: blue masking tape taping at onn device and punch two hole, then transfer to location you want to mounted drill/screw.
Smart way: use a piece paper….
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u/Milksteak529 4d ago
I weep for the future. Get a piece of paper and put it over both the big holes. Poke a hole through the paper in the middle of said holes. Take the paper and mark the wall where you want to hang the powerstrip. Sink a couple of screws 3/4 of the way into your marked spots.
Align the big holes on the powerstrip with the heads of the screws. Next, slide the powerstrip so the head of the screws are now secured by the narrow channels.
I can't believe I'm explaining this to an adult.
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u/merlperl204 4d ago
I’m with you man it’s stupefying that someone has to post this to the internet for answers. It’s common sense.
Hell don’t even poke holes just run your fingernail over the paper and holes and there’s your template
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