Question : Flat Panel Mount Screws Broke in Half?
Helllo. My husband installed an Inland swivel flat panel tv mount today. Mount rated to hold up to 138lbs and up to a 50″ TV. TV that was hung was a 50″ 75lb TV, so within guidelines per manufacturer. Lifted the TV onto the mount tonight and it just didn’t look stable. It looked wiggly so we took it back down. After assessing the situation without the TV on the mount, we noticed the screws were starting to come out of the wall, pulled them out and they were snapped completely in half! We have had a flat panel TV for years, probably since 2004 and have installed previous wall mounts with no problem. We were just replacing our old mount with this swivel/tilt mount due to the large windows in our family room causing glare. Needless to say, glare or not, we took the new mount down, put the old mount back up and the new mount is going back to the store.

Do you think this is a manufacturer’s defect that the maker (Inland) should be made aware of? I mean, if the screws can snap right in half, a TV could fall and could realistically kill someone who is sitting under it (most likely a kid).

Or should we just return it?

And before you ask, YES, all directions were followed and NO the screws were not over-tightened.
They appear to be cheap screws.
Oh for petes sake I NEVER dreamed to add the detail of whether or not the screw was put in the studs!!! YES, we used a GOOD stud detector and put the darn things in the studs.

And even though you (one responder) think a screw could not possibly snap in half unless it was overtightened, that is not the case. It was not overtightened. But I know you will continue in your misguided belief, so carry on.

I was wanting to know if you think this is serious enough to tell the manufacturer of the mount or just leave well enough alone and take it back.

We already put the old mount back up, so the new mount is going back either way. (and interestingly, the old mount still works fine even though we “overtighten” screws)

Why is it some people have to argue with you that you MUST still have done something to cause whatever even though you say you did not????
flat panel mount

Best answer:

Answer by sparky
If you can buy “good old screws or even obtain some 2nd hand” made in your own country ( Pretty bloody hard these days) which are possibly better made and of good quality steel that would probably solve your problem. If the screws were supplied with the new bracket you’ll possibly find they’re made in “China or another Asian Country” and the articles from there are usually nowhere near the standard of ‘home made” in your Country, sometimes too hardened or crisp and made with crappy metal. Fixings, of any size manufactured in these countries are garbage and are such poor quality and to be honest, I would never use them as they are too risky to hold the weight you require.