Wall Control

Grip Implements Piled on Shelf

Grip Implements Piled on Desk

New Wall Control Panel

I have been wanting to get wall control for a few years now.  I hemmed and hawed at first due to the expense.  (2) panels are $50 and the assortment of hooks I would need are another $50.  I also was a little worried about being able to mount them into concrete (this turned out to be a very justified concern).  I watched some videos and thought I would be OK.

• Step 1:  Clear out the dumbbells and give myself a proper work area.
• Step 2:  Measure and cut a 2x4 to length.  Messy, but fine.  On the order of 34 inches.
• Step 3:  Drill holes in board and mark points on the concrete.  This is where the trouble started.  I could not get the Tapcon screws to mark on the wall.
• Step 4:  Drill pilot holes for Tapcon screws.  Even with the hammer drill, this was slow going and I had to contend with voids in the concrete and uneven finishes.  
• Step 5:  Mount the 2x4 to the concrete.  Of my planned four Tapcons per board, I ended up with two anchors in the top board and three anchors in the bottom board.  At least I got marginally better.  I would line up the end bolt and my other three would be off by a fraction of an inch which is a lot when dealing with concrete.  Not exactly a ductile material.
• Step 6:  Mount the wall control to the 2x4's.  This was easy, but my finished product is not exactly level.  I am not worried about it.
• Step 7:  Put everything back and vacuum saw dust, concrete dust, etc.

My estimated 1 hour project ended up taking 3.5 hours.  I purchased a hammer drill for $40.  Materials included $30 for the Tapcon screws and $4 for a 2x4.  Fortunately, I already had a circular saw, drill and drive or this would have been more expensive.  I did break a drill bit, but that is not the end of the world.  Everything else was done with hand tools.  Clean up sucked because my shop vacuum is a piece of shit.  I see a Father's Day present in my future ($50-$100 at Harbor Freight, Home Depot and Lowes).  I would buy one on the smaller side so it is easier to store.