Sgt Grit Marine Forums

....in the wall.

Okay, I have just about ruined a small wall trying to hang a heavy wooden plate rack that will hold 4 10" decorative plates. The rack has 2 keyhole slots on the back. I measured where to put the hangers on the wall and naturally there were no studs behind the sheetrock. I got 2 white plastic screw looking things with openings that you put a screw into and then I screwed them into the wall. ( Does that make sense?? ) When I tried to hang the rack on them it fell down and left marks all over the wall but worse than that, I now have 2 holes in the wall. One of the screw things fell INSIDE the wall. How the heck do you hang something fairly heavy on flimsy sheetrock walls? I hate keyhole openings!

Satie.....go to lowes or your local hardware store and ask them for "Toggle" bolts....they come in various lengths....They look like a long bolt with a propeller on the end of it which is spring loaded, it folds. You fold down the propellers together, put it into the wall, and it springs open on the other side, you tighten the screw and it will hold fast.....Heck, you could Hang Miller on the wall and Give him a Wedgie that way....

 What you probably used was one of these, right?

What you WANT, is one of THESE.....

   Here's some info: 

Toggle Bolts

Toggle bolts are the Cadillac (or Lexus, if you prefer) of hollow-wall anchors.  They consist of two parts... the toggle itself (which looks like a pair of spring-loaded metal wings) and the accompanying machine screw.  Toggle bolts are sized in two ways... by the diameter of the machine screw and by the length of the machine screw.  The larger the screw diameter, the larger and stronger the toggle.  The longer the screw, the thicker the material that can be hung or the thicker the wall it can be used in!

Toggles are massively strong.  A "puny" 1/8" toggle can safely hold 50 lbs on 1/2" drywall... a 3/8" toggle over 100 lbs! Two or three 3/8" toggles can easily hold up most kitchen cabinets on solid 1/2" drywall.  That is, as long as the wall is strong enough!

Toggles are the toggle of choice for hanging most anything from ceilings, too, such as hanging plants, mobiles, etc.  The major exceptions would be "dynamic" objects such as ceiling fans, which require attachment to structural members.  Also, though excessive weight may not break a large toggle through the ceiling, the ceiling itself may pull away from the joists!  

To install a toggle, first drill a hole in the desired location.  Here is a drill sizing chart...

Now it's time to assemble the toggle.  Push the machine screw through the object to be fastened and attach the toggle to the screw.  Thread the toggle far enough that the threads of the screw keep the toggle from turning sideways (graphic to left).  Otherwise the toggle may not open properly in the wall (graphic stage right).

Raise the object into position and push the toggle(s) through the predrilled hole(s) until you hear or feel the toggle snap open.  Then pull back on the object or the screw to keep the wings from spinning while you tighten the screw.

One problem with toggles is that they do not give you a precise location as do all the other anchors we have discussed.  So once the toggle is almost tight, check the position of the object and then fully tighten the toggle.  Don't overtighten the toggle in drywall or you might either break the toggle or break the wall!

Hope that helped....

That is because you can't relate to studs. 

I like those new fishhook looking thing that they are selling on tv, but I dont think they are available in stores yet.

Wm. R Miller Jr.:

I'd go with the standard plastic wall anchors.....(TOP PICTURE)

You on the same planet? Satie tried using that already, they fell out.....What she's hanging is to heavy. The toggle bolts will support more weight....

You're right...that doodad you posted is exactly what I used. I'll get the toggle bolts and try them! Lucky me, there's an Ace Hardware Store about 4 blocks away. Thanks a whole lot! I can see how the TB's will provide support from the backside. By the way, are they easy to get out if I mess up on the measuring? I already did and have 4 holes in the wall.

No Satie....they are not....you'll get the screw out, but I'm afraid the propeller thingy will fall away once you screw the screw out....

Use the Carpenters motto...."Measure twice, cut once".....Once you know where you want to drill, mark it on the wall with a pencil (you can erase pencil)....put a piece of masking tape on the wall...this also prevents the paint from cracking and chipping before you drill....

I know I can do that. And I have a drill. And I have putty. I'm set! Thanks again, Chris.

Top....I saw those commercials and those things look pretty good!  

Vicki,

You got some good advice here. If you are unsure, e-mail one of us. Your thread showed that it's not too much to ask. What is simple to some may be a real bear to others. If we all help out, the job gets done! I could never do what Velcro makes easy. Know what I mean?

I did it! I DID IT! ALL BY MYSELF!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU, CHRIS!!!!!!!!! Helpless female my a$$...I DID IT!!!!!!

satie:

I did it! I DID IT! ALL BY MYSELF!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU, CHRIS!!!!!!!!! Helpless female my a$$...I DID IT!!!!!!

 

See?  You got guy info without having to do thier laundry... I love the internet.  

Sigh....I wish the electronic stud indicator I use to find wall studs could be modified to locate male humanoid studs.  Then I could nail........NEVER MIND!

Glad you were able to get your project done Satie!

Top, I saw those fish hook hanger thingies in the Miles Kimball catalog.  Miles Kimball has an online store if you want to check it out.

satie:

I did it! I DID IT! ALL BY MYSELF!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU, CHRIS!!!!!!!!! Helpless female my a$$...I DID IT!!!!!!

 

Vicki, helpless you are not!!! Good job!! As you get more confidence, tackle more things! If more women were out there trying these projects, we'd have more time for beer and football! (Oh crap, I revealed our plan!) I'm officially a leaker!

Sigh....I wish the electronic stud indicator I use to find wall studs could be modified to locate male humanoid studs.  Then I could nail........NEVER MIND!

Problem is, you're not sliding yours "Low" enough on the wall....My wife has one, and she finds my stud (or nailer, what ever name she comes up with at that given moment...) Gotta love those carpenter jokes.....lol

MALS-24ORDIE:

Sigh....I wish the electronic stud indicator I use to find wall studs could be modified to locate male humanoid studs.  Then I could nail........NEVER MIND!

Glad you were able to get your project done Satie!

Top, I saw those fish hook hanger thingies in the Miles Kimball catalog.  Miles Kimball has an online store if you want to check it out.

---

All gave some, some gave all. Thank you for your service!

 

 

Problem is, you're not sliding yours "Low" enough on the wall....My wife has one, and she finds my stud (or nailer, what ever name she comes up with at that given moment...) Gotta love those carpenter jokes.....lol

 

 

Can't top the plumbers. You have petcocks, ball valves, and some that I'm sure would get asterisks here.

Hardware stores turn me on and that's the truth. Dang! There aren't any horny little emoticons. This 'll have to do do. I'm 3 sheets in the wind and will clam innocence in the morning.

satie:

Hardware stores turn me on and that's the truth. Dang! There aren't any horny little emoticons. This 'll have to do do. I'm 3 sheets in the wind and will clam innocence in the morning.

 

 SATIE!

 

satie:

Hardware stores turn me on and that's the truth. Dang! There aren't any horny little emoticons. This 'll have to do do. I'm 3 sheets in the wind and will clam innocence in the morning.

 

LMAO.  Tsk, tsk, Miss Satie. 

No studs in the wall means your house was built by lesbians...  I bet if you check the joints in the carpentry you will find they are all 'tongue in groove'. 

ROFLMAO!!

 Wow a resurrected post from 18 months ago~