Going CRAZY! Girl needs help...

[bassetasse]

.. strange title maybe....

I, Madame, who tries to do and learn everything myself at home (so I don't have to rely on any man... That's why I'm writing here and now? *LAUGHS*).

Anyway, in my world, it often happens that when something needs to be screwed up, I go through my "little plug box" to find the appropriate size plug for the screw's area.

Now I understand (FINALLY!) that the screw should be a few mm longer than the plug... it took a while before I got that, and it might be why my walls before looked like they had been attacked by a machine gun... :S.

BUT now I'm there again. I need to put up a shelf without using brackets and instead have "invisible" screws/fittings.

The screw is Ø 5 mm and at the same time quite short. So you can't just use tiny plugs; the screw needs to fit... THERE is my problem!!! I found plugs with the right diameter BUT they are significantly longer than the screw as you can see in the photo.....

AND it's not the first time this has happened to me, so tips, tricks, solutions, or a thorough "lecture” with facts about it not being solvable, a quick course in plugs and screws etc. etc. etc. ARE more than welcome as it will save me a lot of spackle, irritation, and headaches, and my neighbors will probably be the most grateful...

//Mia-Fia

PS. It's a simple drywall that's going to be ruined with this project...

 

[Charl1e]

This would be something since it is enkelgips.
http://www.norwesco.se/page/350/362

 

[MathiasS]

Gypsum walls and plugs don't go well together. Since you're planning to use plugs, I assume there are no wooden boards or studs to attach your fittings to?

You need to find another fitting where you can use fasteners that are intended for a gypsum wall. I think you'll be a happier person if you try to use a fitting that resembles this instead: http://www.theofils.se/product.aspx?prodfamid=60350900 Then you can use a standard drywall anchor to attach to the wall.

 

[hempularen]

Regardless of what you are setting up, that is an unsuitable plug for drywall. For drywall, you should use something like a molly plug. It is a plug (known under various names) that deploys metal wings inside the wall and tightens against the backside of the drywall. Regular plugs can work if it concerns something very light. However, molly plugs would not work for the bracket you had in the picture. On the other hand, it would for the bracket that Mathias linked to.

The Norvesco plug or a similar one that is often referred to as a drywall anchor in hardware stores might function if you don't load it too heavily. A drywall anchor is a large screw made of metal or sometimes plastic with large threads directly into the drywall, then you screw your screw into the plug. The anchor often has a drill tip so that it drills as you screw it in.

 

[LLLVäxjö]

This would be something since it is simple gypsum.
[link]

Those are really good but as hempularen wrote one should probably be careful with the load.

 

[Mrs Nixzon]

Hmm, I am after all just a casual DIY enthusiast and also a girl who likes it when building goes quickly, but I put up invisible supports for my shelves which I also filled with books!!

It held up for over 4 years (took down the shelves when I moved). Maybe not recommended but still.....

I put up the shelves with regular drywall anchors (large model) and had single drywall on the wall... everyone who saw it said that large pieces of the drywall would come loose and that the shelves would collapse any minute, but.... it held for several years as mentioned.

(Maybe they were super strong drywall boards )

 

[bassetasse]

Hello again and thank you for all the sensible answers you have shared with me .

But I still don't get it....!

I still can't understand how such a thick screw that's so short can be fastened into a wall (regardless of whether it's concrete or drywall or another type of wall material... :S). See picture of all the plug options I have at home for drywall, BUT none work with the thick screw my "bracket" has, and surely I can't screw it directly into a single drywall without a plug.

Admittedly, I know from professional craftsmen about fastening plugs that don't want to fit in drywall using PL 400 or 600.... But there must be other options??? Or!

As said, it won't be the last time you have a perfect plug and the screw is too short/the plug is too long UNLESS you build your home by only buying "sets of screws with corresponding plugs that match".... (because then they determine how you can have your furnishing and home, not you yourself...., according to me at least)

Smedson:

I already have those, see picture.... They are gangster good! BUT those "transparent white butterfly flaps plugs" at the bottom left are still the best in my opinion if it's single drywall (I've tried it before when I redid my closet with the result that the wall almost collapsed because there were more holes than wall in the end...:@).

MathiasS:

Thanks for the info on other options for hidden hanging brackets. I've actually seen them in previous Google searches, but today I decided to email them because it's hard to interpret their website's delivery conditions and the like for private individuals unless you live in Stockholm, Jönköping, Gothenburg, or Malmö.

Let's see if they respond to me.. If so, I'll let you know.

Mrs Nixzon:

All ways are good and you are your own best servant... , that might be why my friends call me the Goddess of Duct Tape and Miss MacGyver when they see my little "quick fixes" here and there in my apartment...

I hope you understand my perplexities/thoughts even if it (or rather I!) seem confused.

 

[Lagavulin]

The wooden thread on the lady's model will not work with Molly! They require machine thread.

Good luck

 

[andersmc]

If I understand correctly, the screw in the picture is something that came with the shelf in question. It is a special screw that you must use for this particular mounting. And you want to put it in a drywall. Unfortunately, the answer is: it can't be done.
The only chance is if you manage to find the studs behind the drywall and can screw into them.

 

[Raceman]

Unfortunately Madame, the special screw you show in the picture cannot be used in simple plaster, just as andersmc says.
A new hanging device with a metal screw instead, so that you can use a proper plaster anchor might work, but the bending loads with concealed hanging become quite large, so the question is whether the plaster would hold anyway.

 

[bassetasse]

Hello again all guys (at least I think it's mostly guys who have responded and contributed with their knowledge ).

Okidoki, I understand your explanations pretty well BUT could you develop it a bit based on my upcoming questions??? (I'm not a feminist who wrote the book "fittstimm" but I get insanely irritated that I can't manage on my own without having to involve men to get a shelf up)

The screw/hanging pin you've seen in the picture is not an accessory for anything and even less for the shelf that the whole thing concerns. It's entirely my own idea and construction (which may not be feasible to attach to the wall. THAT's why I'm here seeking help...) and design by me self. The screw fixture thingy that the original question concerns and that you've seen in the photo is available for purchase at Bauhaus in different sizes and variants. The shelf is a standard white shelf that can be bought everywhere like Ikea, K-Rauta, Byggmax, and even Biltema...
(It matters to drill darn straight into the shelf to guide in the hexagonal part of the "screw", which I ACTUALLY have managed really well, it seems... ).

Anyway, I wonder if you mean that just because it's a drywall, the possibilities are extremely limited just because of that? Would "my little self-construction" have worked well/better if it had been a concrete wall, or??

The reason I ask is that as a girl, you plan and think about your interior and such based on the space/object conditions and not what wall material it is... PLUS, by now, in 2010, it should be..., there are alternative solutions, regardless of wall material, to be able to do various wall mountings?

I know it's not "JUST" when it comes to handyman interventions after having been living with a handyman for 6 years who worked among other things at Skanska. It was something I heard every time I just wanted to do something small in the apartment and what he answered...

Quote from my former partner:

' BUT darling, I've told you several times that it's not just "just" even if you think so every time...’.

Any handy partner boyfriend who recognizes himself... ;o).

Despite this, tips and advice on how to think and in turn plan if it is so that the different materials "control" primarily when planning...

Thanks for all the engagement and info. And thank you even more for information on today's thoughts ).

PS. Lagavulin...
Wood thread?!?!? Does that mean what??? Screw is a screw... drywall is neither wood, metal, nor "something" mount. I know there are different screws with different turning function purposes (threads??) depending on which material it concerns.
BUT then you are insanely limited to what you can do and not according to me..... + it seems then that an engineering education would have facilitated getting a shelf up.. Gggrrr!
It would probably have been easier for all parties to drag home a craftsman from the bar at night, but unfortunately, not an option in my case...

 

[Raceman]

Hello again all guys

Hello bassetasse.

( at least I think it's mostly guys who have responded and contributed their knowledge ).

At least one girl wrote a pretty good answer.

Okidoki, I understand your explanations fairly well BUT could you elaborate a bit based on my upcoming questions??? (I am not a feminist who wrote the book "fittstimm" But it annoys me terribly that I can't manage on my own and have to involve men to raise a shelf )

You have a strong interest, which is the most important thing, you'll learn soon.

The screw/hanger pin you've seen in the picture is not an accessory for anything and even less for the shelf that the whole issue concerns. It's entirely my own idea and construction (which may not be feasible to attach to the wall. THAT'S why I'm here asking for help…) and designed by me self. The screw mounting thing the question originally concerns and you've seen in the photo can be bought at Bauhaus in different sizes and variants. The shelf is a standard white shelf that can be bought everywhere like Ikea, K-Rauta, Byggmax, and even Biltema...
(The thing is to drill damn straight into the shelf to guide in the hexagonal part of the "screw," which I ACTUALLY managed really well it seems... ).

I'm really impressed that you managed to drill straight into the shelf from the back without it being skewed. That's usually done with a drill stand. d^_^b
But why didn't you buy a shelf intended for hidden mounting from the beginning?

Anyway, I wonder if you mean that just because it's a drywall, the possibilities are extremely limited precisely because of that? Would "my little self-construction" have worked well/better if it was a concrete wall, or??

Exactly so. In a concrete wall, it would have worked great. You could also check with Bauhaus if they have the same gadget with a metal thread so it can be used with a drywall anchor instead, but as I wrote earlier it will put a lot of stress on the drywall if you're going to have books, etc. However, decorative items should be fine.

The reason I'm asking is that as a girl, you plan and think about your interior design and such based on the surfaces/objects' conditions and not which wall material it is...

I think guys also think like that, but then they go around and knock on the walls a bit to see if they can hold up to what they're planning.

PLUS it should be, now, in the year 2010 asså… there should be alternative solutions, regardless of the wall material, to be able to do different wall mountings?

If you're going to have heavy stuff on single drywall, it’s unfortunately only drywall anchors that will do. But nowadays, not so many inner walls are built with single drywall anymore. It's more likely ply+drywall, and then regular wood screws without wood plugs can be used to put up a shelf.

I know it's not "JUST" when it comes to craft interventions after having been with a handyman for 6 years who worked, among other places, at Skanska. It was something I heard every time I just wanted to do something small in the apartment and what he answered…

Quote from my ex-boyfriend:
' BUT dearie, I've told you several times that it's not just "barely" even if you think so every time...'.

Any handyman-savvy boyfriend who recognizes themselves… ;o).

Äähhumm.. :blushing:

Despite that, tips and advice on how to think and in turn plan if it's now the case that different materials "guide" first when planning…

Plan as usual, then check what material it is and if the plan can be implemented.

Thank you for all the involvement and info. And even more thanks for information on today's thoughts ).

Thank you.

 

[Charl1e]

M10 rubber expander + threaded rod + nut could work, but it will require rather large holes to drill in the wall, plus you'll also need to hide the nut in the shelf...

 

[saltrulle]

You can buy a bookshelf from me instead. No screws in the wall or anything.

Couldn't help but think of those spacer bolts we use in "electric cabinets" when I saw the picture. However, I've never seen them with threading longer than the usual approx 8-10mm... but maybe someone else has... with longer threading, it would probably work perfectly with a regular drywall anchor sleeve in the wall.

 

[bassetasse]

Raceman!

Thanks for the fun and detailed answer for each sentence and the info!

Funny to have found a "kindred spirit" of the same race. For as it's said, 'self-reliance is the best'... *ROTFLOL*

PS.
If I learn anything more about attaching to drywall I'll let u know