Hanging acoustic panels

[mattcoffay]

Hey everyone,

This is my first post here. I'm constructing some acoustic panels like this:

(can't post url; go to youtube and search 'bass trap'; it'll come up first in the results)

except without any fabric on the back side (so that they'll be open back).

I want to space them away from the wall a bit, but want to do it as simply as possible. I'd also like them to be fairly moveable on/off of the wall (so that I can take a couple into the closet for recording vocals).

My idea was to screw a hook into each corner of the back of the frame, and then screw four eye bolts into the wall for each hook to sit into. This would be for the walls and corners. For the ceiling, I'd do the same but use some mason's twine to drop them a bit lower than the few inches that would be created by the depth of the frame, hook, and eye.

Would this simple hook & eye idea work? I haven't seen anyone suggest is here and it seems really simple, so I was thinking that maybe I'm overlooking something? Thanks!

[JTC111]

Originally Posted by mattcoffay

My idea was to screw a hook into each corner of the back of the frame, and then screw four eye bolts into the wall for each hook to sit into. This would be for the walls and corners. For the ceiling, I'd do the same but use some mason's twine to drop them a bit lower than the few inches that would be created by the depth of the frame, hook, and eye.

Would this simple hook & eye idea work? I haven't seen anyone suggest is here and it seems really simple, so I was thinking that maybe I'm overlooking something? Thanks!

Unless you're screwing those eyebolts into the wall studs, the weight of the traps will probably rip holes in the sheetrock. Since you said you wanted to have them away from the wall a little, what I would do instead is bolt the eyehooks into a length of 2x4 (countersink the back with oversized washers) and then screw the 2x4 to the wall studs.

Or you can just screw the 2x4 to the wall, put in a couple of screws, spaced out, angled upwards, and use some strong wire to hang the trap. DO NOT use picture wire. I learned the hard way that braided picture wire is not strong enough.

For the ceiling, get some heavy duty mollies and use them to attach a 1 inch right-angle bracket to the ceiling. Use the same 1 inch brackets on the top of the traps and then use S-hooks to attach the trap to the ceiling bracket.

Good Luck!

[mattcoffay]

it's actually a concrete wall--so if i drill the holes and use anchors in which i insert the eye bolts, will that work?

also, will i be able to do the hook and bolt thing in the corners? (I'm thinking one high and one low eye bolt on each corner wall so that the trap can straddle the corner?)

[jasonbmerrill]

Originally Posted by JTC111

Unless you're screwing those eyebolts into the wall studs, the weight of the traps will probably rip holes in the sheetrock.

not if you use sheet rock anchors.

[Dani Pace]

I've been using eye hooks and mason twine to hang panels and clouds (I've got a couple of huge clouds) for a couple of years now. The only problem I've had is the twine gets brittle after a year or so and needs to be replaced. Mason twine is surprisingly strong, I haven't had anything fall so far, just be sure you tie any knots securely, they will slip if you don't and the twine will stretch a little over time.

[jasonbmerrill]

zip ties work awesome

[HapiCmpur]

Originally Posted by mattcoffay

I'm constructing some acoustic panels like this...except without any fabric on the back side (so that they'll be open back).

Why leave the backs open? Wrapping your panels completely will make them a lot easier to clean. I vacuum mine one a year, and I'd much rather vacuum a fabric cover than bare fiberglass. For another thing, it's never a bad idea to contain fiberglass as much as possible. Yes, I know it's pretty harmless stuff as long as you're not moving it around, but your panels WILL collect dust, and you WILL want to take them down to clean them from time to time. So I recommend that you wrap 'em.

My idea was to screw a hook into each corner of the back of the frame, and then screw four eye bolts into the wall for each hook to sit into.

You can simplify the process by mounting a pair of shelf brackets to the wall (without the shelves) and hanging a panel from the brackets with a couple of hooks screwed into the top of the frame.

For the ceiling, I'd do the same but use some mason's twine

Fishing line is another option. It's very strong, lightweight, almost invisible, and lasts forever.

[Obi-Wan zenabI]

Originally Posted by HapiCmpur

Yes, I know it's pretty harmless stuff as long as you're not moving it around, but your panels WILL collect dust, and you WILL want to take them down to clean them from time to time. So I recommend that you wrap 'em.

I never considered the cleaning issue. this is a good point.

picture wire is working for mine, however... 2"x2'x4'. The 4" thick stuff is on toggle bolted plant hangers and wire hooks.