Can’t you just use an actual magnet?

I will admit my mind went to a different place when I came across the title. But this is better.

You have plaster expanded metal lath walls, yes.

Looks like this from the inside. No studs per se. It's a pretty strong type of wall, you can just use screws to hold almost anything in it.

Trying to mount a full motion TV, would that be okay?

It’s 63 lbs with up to a 20” extendable arm.

Today I learned.

Not if you want it to stay on the wall. Honestly, just keep drilling till you hit a stud then measure out 16". You might need a piece of plywood backing to hang the mount on anyway. Just patch any of the holes in the plaster

I did one in one of the mid-century high rises on Riverside Drive which had that kind of wall. Honestly all you need is lots of screws to spread the load over the plaster. Don't put just a few in.

The other thing you could try to do is try to find one of the pieces of angle iron framing the wall (no wood studs, this is an early kind of fireproof construction), but it's not likely to be anywhere near where you need it.

Any chance I could hire you for the install? I think I found the iron framing and you’re correct, it’s nowhere near where I would need it to be.

Whew, lol.

haha you must be friends with this subreddits mods

Same here 🤣

You need something called a wall anchor. I tend to use the heavy duty types, first using a drill bit to drill a large hole in the wall, then poking the anchor through, then securing it. They work really well. I've had a lot of success with these ones: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Driller-Toggle-1-8-in-x-2-in-DrillerToggle-Plus-Bolt-25-Pieces-360E/310377840

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