\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The simplest and first method you can try to fix a spinning bolt is to just tighten it with a wrench. They're a quick and easy way to secure heavy items to the wall without a stud, so you can get the exact placement you want! They also work in lightweight concrete blocks, but there are special versions (none of the above) which are sold explicitly for concrete blocks and which hold much better. Insert the anchor bolt through the item you're hanging, thread it into the collar and bar, and tighten as needed. Attach the butterfly nut onto the end of the screw, and test to make sure the wings fold in towards screw head end. A 1/8-inch toggle bolt can hold the least amount of weight. How to Install Toggle Bolts Drill Hole Drill a hole in the wall to the diameter specified on the product package. If you're lucky enough to have a wood stud behind the drywall, it's just a matter of driving a screw or nail long enough to sink into the stud. Privacy policy, difference between toggle bolts and molly bolts, Check behind the wallfor wires, pipes and studs, Thread the bolt through the item to be mounted first, You can learn more about how to use a stud finder here, ways to find a stud without a stud finder, 10 TIPS to avoid Pipes and Cables in Walls (shorter version) (https://youtu.be/DeTXAPYzqpY), How to remove a toggle bolt without losing the anchor behind the wall (https://youtu.be/424xQdZDYBE), How to Install Hanger Bolts - Two Different Ways, Repair Torn Drywall Paper with Zinsser Gardz Sealer. A standard approach to filling oversized screw holes in wood is to fill them with wooden toothpicks, usually coated with wood glue. Your drill bit should be sharpened before you begin. If it has wood behind it that prevents use of an anchor, use the dowel and cut it flush to the drywall surface. Fill in any gaps between the dowel and the drywall with spackling, drywall mud or other filler recommended by your hardware store. However, if a bolt is too large it can look unsightly. The point loads on the screw thread will always weaken the plasterboard, and the fixing will inevitably pull loose after not very long. This causes the bolt to anchor in the drywall. An old trick is to put tooth picks or matches (without the combustible material) into the hole with some glue to fill it and the put put the screw in. Posted 22 hours ago. When there's no stud, you need a wall anchor. The toggle bolts fit through the . Check the weight limits and restrictions on the anchor packaging so you know what size to use. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Keep in mind that weight capacity refers to the strength of the fastener, not the wall. Remove your fingers. However, studs arent always in the right spot. The wings fold in so they can fit through the hollow wall opening. Shut the pair of wings. The shelf has 4 holes. However, there are a couple of things to consider. % of people told us that this article helped them. Drill bits - " and a larger bit depending on your toggle bolt size. Most interior drywall is inch thick, and the manufacturer usually determines the weight load based on that measurement. With the component in position, slowly tighten the bolts until they provide a bit of resistance back. hammer it and break the the part that's sticking out. Although they are described as "self-tapping", I prefer to give them a small pilot hole for alignment and then proceed to then drill all of the necessary anchors at once after preparing a surface. Thank you, Anika! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Kobalt vs. Craftsman: Which of the Two Brands Is Better? Can someone please tell me what is written on this score? Home Improvement Specialist. 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