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Shelving Installation
Light Shelving
Most lightweight shelves like this one come with expanding plastic anchors, but I wouldn’t rely on them. Instead use these
self-drilling, screw-in type anchors. They’re rated to hold about 30 to 50 lbs. each (depending on the size) and take only seconds to install. These anchors (metal or plastic versions) work great for hanging small shelves and other decorative items that aren’t subject to much use and don’t have to support a lot of weight. On a ceiling, don’t use these anchors to hang anything heavier than a smoke detector.
You can screw the anchors in by hand with a No. 2 Phillips screwdriver, but a drill with a No. 2 driver bit works better. Slow the drill to a crawl as soon as the large threads engage in the drywall. Then carefully turn the fastener until the face is almost flush. Overtightening will damage the drywall and compromise the holding power. These same precautions apply to the screw. Turn it in slowly and stop as soon as the screw is snug to the object you’re attaching. Overtightening will strip the threads. If the anchor loosens and spins, you’ll have to back it out and replace it with a toggle-type anchor in the same hole. We used the Buildex E-Z Ancor self-drilling drywall anchors (see the Buyer’s Guide).
Heavy Shelves
It’s best to locate a stud or other framing member to mount shelf brackets that support heavy weight. But if you have to
mount a shelf bracket on drywall, use these Toggler anchors. They’re easier to use and stronger than standard wing-type toggle bolts. Plus, you can remove the machine screw without losing the toggle inside the wall, which allows you to mount items that may occasionally need to be taken down and reinstalled.
The only drawbacks to Toggler bolts are that they’re a little harder to find and slightly more expensive than standard “molly” bolts. We found Hilti brand Toggler bolts at a local home center ($8 for a package of 10). If your local hardware store or home center doesn’t carry them, see the Buyer’s Guide for on-line and mail order sources.
Curtain Rod Brackets, Towel Bars and Coat Hooks
Curtain rod brackets dangling from loose anchors or towel bars pulled out of the wall are all too common. That’s because
these jobs require an anchor that can stand up to constant jostling and tugging. And the plastic anchors usually provided just aren’t up to the task. Buy some of these slick, self-drilling metal toggles instead. At about $1 each, they’re not cheap. But they’re easy to install and hold like crazy. You simply screw them in at the desired locations. Then as you tighten the mounting screw, the metal flange flips out and is drawn tight to the backside of the drywall. You can remove the object for painting, and the anchor will remain in the wall, ready for reuse.
The only drawback to these anchors is that you have to use the screw provided or one with the same type of thread. This may mean abandoning the decorative screws included with your hardware. You may have to spray-paint the screwheads to match or search for a decorative screw with the same threads.
Install these toggles just like their smaller cousins. But make sure to probe the wall first to determine if there’s room for the metal flange to flip open. The E-Z Toggle we’re using has arrows on the face to show the alignment of the flange when it opens. This is handy if you have two toggles close together and don’t want the flanges to clash, or to prevent the flange from hitting a stud that’s close to the edge of the toggle. Turn the E-Z Toggle in or out slightly to adjust the orientation of the metal flange. See Buyer’s Guide for more information on Buildex E-Z Toggle self-drilling drywall toggle bolts.
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