How to install plastic anchors in a wall

The most lightweight of the different types of anchors are the conical plastic ones.They are great for hanging pictures, attaching towel rack to the wall, and even hanging small shelves, but you shouldn't rely on them to hang cabinets or heavy items, such as a large mirror.The problem is the brittle nature of the material.When you put enough pressure on the ribbed anchor, it pulls the drywall out.

It's better to use ribbed plastic anchors in hard materials.If the pilot hole is the right size, they expand when you drive the screw.Failing to size the hole correctly is the only way to make a mistake when installing a conical screw anchor.

There are a number of types of anchors.The tests show they can handle about 80 pounds of downward pressure.Threaded brass and plastic anchor can hold up to 130 pounds.Molly bolts can hold up to 170 pounds.

The strongest drywall anchor is a bolt that screws into a sleeve.The back of the drywall has wings that expand and anchor.A bolt can hold up to 300 pounds.It's limited by the strength of the wallboard, which will probably break before the bolt fails.

The package will usually tell you the size of the drill bit you need for the pilot hole.If not, use a drill bit to measure the diameter of the anchor's shank, which is halfway between the screw opening and the tapered end.The anchor will fit as tightly as possible if a hole is drilled into it.You don't want to make the hole too small or you'll not be able to anchor it.

After drilling the pilot hole, tap the anchor with a hammer.Use light pressure to avoid bending the anchor and keep tapping until the opening is flush with the wall.Pull on the screw with pliers or a hammer claw if you need to remove an anchor.The screw will hold the anchor out of the wall.