A. Lo wrote:
Thank you Dean, I am actually seeing the builder and the contractor today
about our floor. I'll post the question to them and confirm if the stids
are heavy gauge or light gauge. However, if they are heavry gauge, will I
need metal studs fasteners or toggle bolt for the installation? Or the
self-tapping screws are sufficient enough?

AL

"Dean" wrote in message
ups.com...
I believe the studs will be heavy gauge IF it is a load-bearing
wall,,,if it is just a partition it could possibly have light
gauge..Self-tapping(drill tip) screws are easy to find and work well in
heavy gauge studs..One way to test the gauge is to try a standard
drywall screw for wood,,if light gauge studs the wood screw will
penetrate before long,,if heavy gauge the screw made for wood will
dull...It might be safer and easier to ask management to look at the
plans so You do'nt make un-needed holes..
Dean in Iowa


Mikepier wrote:
As long as it's a heavy guage stud ( and I'm assuming it is being that
this is a condo with certain building codes) it shoud not be a problem.
The sheet rock itself spreads the load across the stud. You could use
sheet metal screws or if you want to be real secure use toggle bolts
through the studs. But as long as the entire assembly weighs less than
70 lbs you should be fine with just screws.




AL-

I've worked with metal studs & the key to mounting items to a metal
stud wall is spreading the load across a few studs (ideally at least
three)

Metal studs are strong in the global sense but their flanges are much
more flexible locally than a similar connection to a wood stud.

18 gauge (.043") or 20 gauge (.037") are about as thin as I feel
comfortable depending on screwing into the stud flange for hanging
heavy / important loads

If 22 or 24 gauge have been used.... there is a high probability of
screws stripping out.

Additonally, the pullout strength in studs thinner than 18 gauge is not
only MUCH lower than 18 gauge but the pullout strengths are highly
variable.

With 16 or 18 gauge studs you're in good shape...... 20 gauge I'd start
to get nervous


& at 22 or thinner I'd want a large piece of plywood (16" x 34") with
lots of screws (~20+)

Another poster suggested spreading the load from the bracket into a
piece of plywood....

good advice, you can use a substantial number of screws to hold the
plywood to the steel studs thus spreading the load well & minimizing
any corner punching of the drywall.

suggested fastener style

a TEK style self drilling screw, clearance holes thru the plywood
suggested

90064A463
Znc-Pltd Stl Hex Washer Head Self-Drill Screw 10-16 Thread, 2" Length,
Drill Point #3
In stock at $10.45 per 100 Pack
www.mcmaster.com

if you cannot find them locally


cheers
Bob