Plug / anchor that requires disassembly?

[doctormirabilis]

I have an Elfa system in a closet and I can't be bothered to take it all down again. However, I think the previous owner was a bit stingy when they installed the horizontal rail at the top (the one the vertical rails hang from, you get it) with only 3 mounting screws and anchors for the board behind. Therefore, I'm wondering if there is any solution for anchors/plugs that I could drill and screw in WITHOUT TAKING DOWN THE RAIL, directly into a couple of the holes in it? It doesn't need to be as solid as the expanders that are already there, but at least something more than a regular plastic plug.

 

[Jocke Best]

The thought has crossed my mind sometimes, for example with old TV mounts etc. There are a few I can think of. One is to drill a larger hole in the rail so that you can fit an expander/Molly plug. It's smart to measure beforehand to ensure you have, for example, single drywall in the wall, and that the total thickness then matches an expander for double drywall, along with a washer or two. Another option is to drill a larger hole and use a toggle plug; I found a video with different plugs.

 

[doctormirabilis]

Hmm yes, that would be a possibility, to drill through the metal as well. Thanks

 

[egge80]

Yes, or tap out the rule and put a screw right in it, the right screw so it looks good.

 

[doctormirabilis]

Yes, or tap the beam and screw directly into it, the right screw will make it look good

I don't think it's attached to any beam, it's directly in the drywall only.

 

[egge80]

How long is the horizontal rail then?

 

[doctormirabilis]

How long is the horizontal rail then?

Approximately 2 meters.

 

[egge80]

Yes, but there are usually studs as cc 45 is the most common on interior walls.

 

[doctormirabilis]

Yes, but there are studs as cc 45 is the most common on interior walls

Yes, there is definitely a stud somewhere in the wall, but the rail is not attached to the stud, that's what I mean. Otherwise, they wouldn't have needed an expansion plug, and I could have just drilled and screwed in a couple more mounting screws. What I want to do now is to insert some form of anchor and then screw, without removing the rail where it is today.

 

[egge80]

I mean that you find out where your standing studs are and then drill a new hole in your track that hits the wood, so you don't have to think about anchors.

 

[doctormirabilis]

I mean that you find out where you have your standing studs and then drill a new hole in your track that hits wood, so you don't have to think about plugs

aha ok, then I'm with you. thanks. yes, that is possibly an option too yes.

 

[tergo]

if it's an older interior wall, the studs are at c/c 60cm
possibly remove the baseboard, and you will likely see the panel joints

 

[doctormirabilis]

if it's an older interior wall, the studs are placed at c/c 60cm
possibly remove the baseboard so you can probably see the panel seams

That's not a bad idea at all; I'll do some tapping tonight and see how it looks.

 

[pjkw]

Just set up an electrical box rail and I did just that, found the studs and made new holes. I used a magnet to locate the nails securing the drywall and was able to find the studs that way.

 

[z_bumbi]

What is the length of the horizontal rail?