Hot answers tagged

20 votes
Accepted

Securing a large screw hook in drywall without an anchor

Cut a 1"x 4" board just long enough to fit between the wall on the right and garage door on the left. Attach each end with 2 1/2" screws into the studs of said wall and door frame. Screw hook, ( ...
Alaska Man's user avatar
  • 13.5k
17 votes

What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door

Any type of threaded screw will eventually pull out. I'd think about using some bolt and cap nuts. You'd have to drill right through the door and can probably use the same holes on one side. I'd think ...
JACK's user avatar
  • 78.6k
16 votes
Accepted

What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door

This appears to be well suited to a rivnut installation. The threaded insert is placed in a hole sized appropriately to the insert, the tool is used to compress the portion inside the door and the ...
fred_dot_u's user avatar
  • 10.7k
14 votes
Accepted

How to avoid wires when drilling into the wall?

This is something that you have minimal control over. Most electrical runs going horizontally are about 2 feet off the floor or very close to the ceiling. There are lots of reasons for this but one ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 47.8k
14 votes

Help identifying pieces in ambiguous wall anchor kit

OK, the yellow anchors do not go into the studs. They can be used in drywall, brick, masonry, etc when the proper size hole is drilled. Those big threaded anchors are for drywall. They have a sharp ...
JACK's user avatar
  • 78.6k
14 votes

Securing Cabinet to wall: better to use two anchors to drywall or one screw into stud?

I would not rely on either drywall anchors or the Amazon thingies. I would attempt to find the wall studs behind the units, then drive decent wood screws through the unit into the studs. If the back ...
Triplefault's user avatar
  • 6,372
13 votes

How to replace a wooden anchor in a decades-old concrete lintel

Is this really a lintel ? That would be spanning over a window or door, not in the floor. The old wood is gone because it failed over the course of 50 years. Wood doesn't survive being encased on 5 ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 9,996
11 votes
Accepted

Why can't I drive this Tapcon into concrete?

Aside from not using hammer mode, as suggested in the comments, I will report that I have had HIGHLY variable results with Tapcon's in old poured concrete - I don't recall what they claim to work in, ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 200k
10 votes

Why can't I drive this Tapcon into concrete?

All the Tapcons, Conserts, or other brand of concrete screws I have driven over the years, I have never, while following the directions driven a concrete screw no deeper into any concrete that has ...
Jack's user avatar
  • 34.2k
10 votes

What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door

Since security could be a concern, I'd suggest a plate on the outside with square holes punched, or round holes drilled to accept carriage bolts that go all the way through the door and nuts on the ...
FreeMan's user avatar
  • 43k
9 votes

How to avoid wires when drilling into the wall?

I agree with the answer about using a stud finder with a voltage sensor. Also, bear in mind that while the horizontal wire runs are typically close to the floor or the ceiling, there are also cables ...
Craig Tullis's user avatar
  • 5,866
8 votes
Accepted

How can I remove this concrete wall anchor?

These don't come out easily, sometimes they can be pushed back into the wall and dissappear, this is often the case if the person installing it was thinking ahead and drilled the hole deeper than ...
Jasen's user avatar
  • 19k
8 votes

Help identifying pieces in ambiguous wall anchor kit

You appear to have 5 anchors and 3 screws. I hope this isn't much of a rack, or that you're willing to go buy some screws. Lag Bolts. The things you are referring to as drywall screws appear to be ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 200k
7 votes

Why can't I drive this Tapcon into concrete?

Use 1/4" diameter Tapcons (the 3/16" screws are worthless). Drill the hole with a 3/16" masonry drill bit with a hammer drill, one inch farther than the fastener is long, pulling the bit out of the ...
Mazura's user avatar
  • 13.3k
7 votes
Accepted

How to replace a wooden anchor in a decades-old concrete lintel

Three pieces, connected with wood glue. ELEVATION (SIDE) VIEW ___ __ ___ / | | \ / | | \ /_____|__|_____\ You could make the center one a slight wedge to ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k
7 votes
Accepted

Can I drill through chemical anchor resin?

Yes, you should be able to drill the resin/epoxy/plastic with a general purpose drill bit. If you use a smaller drill bit you should be able to just drill screw-tip clearance beyond the plugs ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 200k
6 votes

How much weight can I hang from a drywall ceiling?

I do a lot of work in remodel aplications. As for the strength of 1/2" and 5/8 sheetrock it is quite strong. I have been in multiple situations where I had 2 options walk or crawl on belly ...
Mumbles's user avatar
  • 61
6 votes

How to support 20 feet of 4 inch pvc drain pipe horizontally along a concrete wall?

Any of the pipe hangers available at your local big-box home improvement store are designed to support a full pipe. They would be just decorations if they didn't... Pick a type that seems simplest to ...
FreeMan's user avatar
  • 43k
6 votes

Removing painted over screw wall plugs (UK) and badly applied filler

It appears to me that the touch-up paint color doesn't match the original color very well. Either new, better matching paint will be necessary to cover the touch-up spots again, or repaint the entire ...
FreeMan's user avatar
  • 43k
6 votes

What kind of drill bit will go through both concrete and wood to sink concrete anchors through the sill plate?

A reasonably sharp masonry bit will drill (poorly) thorough wood. A dullish one will drill quite poorly through wood. But it will make a hole (it just won't be pretty.) So, you can use one bit, and ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 200k
6 votes

Toggle Bolts you don't need to screw into?

Given the hole you appear to have backed youself into, "glop some thick epoxy through the holes, slather more on the rods and back of the thing, and depend on adhesives to hold it" appears ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 200k
6 votes
Accepted

Removing two sided screws from studs

Attach two nuts on the thread, jam them together. Then use a wrench on the lower nut to unscrew the screw
Martin's user avatar
  • 3,064
6 votes

Securing Cabinet to wall: better to use two anchors to drywall or one screw into stud?

Screw into studs, and screw the center section to the side pieces.
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 200k
6 votes
Accepted

What type of a wall mount is needed for an old TV?

Mount on a pair of screws like a picture. Buy screws with heads that are the biggest that can fit into the larger part of the mounting hole, and shafts the biggest that can slide into the smaller ...
jay613's user avatar
  • 34.2k
5 votes

How to avoid wires when drilling into the wall?

Unfortunately you can't be 100% certain but you can dramatically reduce your risk. Checking local rules and practices for installing cables should be your first line of defense. For example in the UK ...
Peter Green's user avatar
  • 4,998
5 votes
Accepted

What size is this wallplug, and then what drill size (and type) would I use for brick?

Use the Black & Decker drill bit for masonry. 8 mm is compatible with the 5/16" size you gauged. If you choose, for a guaranteed tight fit, use the 7 mm drill first and if the insert is too tight, ...
Jack's user avatar
  • 34.2k
5 votes

How deep to place a deadman anchor for a slackline?

It’s based on the 1) angle of repose, and 2) weight of soil, and 3) length of deadman. 7-8kn equals about 1500 - 1,800 lbs. If the angle of repose is about 45 degrees and your soil weighs about 80 ...
Lee Sam's user avatar
  • 23.1k
5 votes

Unsure how to use these dry wall anchors?

Throw them away. These are terrible anchors. There are better ones for every type of wall. I never use the hardware that comes with anything to attach to walls. Learn how the walls of your home ...
jay613's user avatar
  • 34.2k
5 votes

Securing Cabinet to wall: better to use two anchors to drywall or one screw into stud?

Studs are always recommended over drywall anchors. Drywall anchors just might hold for a baby, but wait three or four years and they will not hold.
crip659's user avatar
  • 22.6k
4 votes

What's the strongest anchor for something heavy in double drywall?

I think this question warrants an answer with a healthy dose of caution: Shelves for supporting a lot of weight should not be supported via drywall! Structural shelves need to be supported by proper ...
DA01's user avatar
  • 24.2k

Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible