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If you have plaster walls, you might be wondering if molly bolts are a good option. This article will go over different options for anchors, including toggle drywall anchors and Self-drilling anchor systems.
It will also cover Heavy-duty requirements and why toggle bolts aren’t a good choice for plaster walls. Toggle bolts are the most common type of anchor that you’ll find in plaster walls.
Molly bolts
Molly bolts are used to attach items to walls. The molly bolts expand as the screw is driven in and collapse as it is removed. They are reusable for many projects. To install a molly bolt, drill a hole in the wall at least one half inch in diameter. Drill a pilot hole, if necessary, and insert the molly bolt. Then, screw the item to the wall.
When hanging heavy objects on plaster walls, plastic wall anchors won’t work. To use an anchor that will hold up plaster, choose metal anchors. To install a bolt, make sure the anchor is long enough to reach behind the plaster. Before you install the anchor, drill a hole with a masonry bit. Alternatively, use toggle bolts or molly bolts. These heavy-duty anchors are ideal for hanging plaster pictures weighing 25 to 50 pounds.
To install a wall anchor, drill a hole into the plaster and insert the anchor into the picture hanger or bracket. Once in place, tighten the anchor with a screwdriver. If the screw becomes hard to rotate, the anchor is set. You can also use a wall anchor setting tool to install the anchor. You can also use plastic anchors if they’re not suitable for plaster walls.
Toggle drywall anchors
Plaster walls are tricky to hang things on because they don’t have studs and are generally hollow on the inside. Trying to nail things in a stud-less wall is a recipe for disaster, because the screws may not penetrate the plaster. A standard expanding-type wall anchor requires careful installation and isn’t recommended for heavy loads. Instead, toggle drywall anchors for plaster walls are a good alternative. You can even use painter’s masking tape to make an X-shape on the wall.
Toggle drywall anchors for plaster wall are similar to threaded drywall nails, except they feature wings that fold outward instead of flat against the bolt. They need a pilot hole to be installed and are ideal for medium-duty projects. These anchors require a pilot hole in the wall before installation, and they also have twice the holding power of plastic expansion anchors. To install toggle drywall anchors for plaster walls, first drill a pilot hole in the wall.
Toggle anchors for plaster walls are a hybrid type that combine toggle-bolts with plastic anchors. A plastic strap connects the toggle to a threaded plastic retainer. They’re easy to install and tilt. A standard hole in a wall is about 1/2 inch. And they’re designed to fit any bolt length. You can use them in both plaster and drywall.
Self-drilling anchor system
The self-drilling anchor system for plaster wall can be a great way to secure a large weight without drilling through the wall. These anchors feature a wing-like mechanism that folds out behind the drywall and pushes in the screw. When the screw is tightened, the anchor will straighten out. Similarly, a toggle anchor folds the nylon wings and is inserted into the hole, while the screw is then tightened.
A self-drilling anchor is a steel tube with an outer circular thread, a sacrificial drill bit and an associated nut. The latter are considered superior to the classic drill bit because they provide more stability and resistance to undesirable flexibility. Self-drilling anchors are easy to use and install, and most kits come with all of the hardware needed to anchor a plaster wall.
If you’re working with a plaster wall, consider using a toggle bolt instead. Toggle bolts are a great alternative to anchors, but they require a hole in the wall. Toggle bolts are spring loaded and work by pulling against the back of laths. Using this system can be much more effective, and the holes you create will be much smaller. However, if you don’t want to use toggle bolts, you may want to consider using plaster hooks.
A self-drilling anchor system for plaster wall is one of the easiest to install, because it doesn’t require pre-drilling. All you need to do is drill a hole with the anchor, and insert the screw. It is important to remember that zinc anchors can break during the insertion, but they are ideal for plaster walls. Molly bolts, on the other hand, require exact thickness to work properly.
Heavy-duty needs
Molly bolts for plaster walls are the metal alternatives to plastic anchors. They consist of a metal sleeve around a bolt that expands to provide a three-point anchor that braces against the plaster back. The sleeve prevents the bolt from slipping and helps it hold its weight even when heavy loads are applied to it. Unlike plastic anchors, molly bolts do not damage the plaster backing.
Molly bolts are designed to be reused for many projects, and the Sutemribor kit is a classic molly bolt wall anchor kit. These bolts have a rust-resistant zinc-plated head and are made of carbon steel. They can be reused in the future. A typical Sutemribor kit has 42 pieces. You must pre-drill the holes before inserting the bolts.
There are several different kinds of molly anchors, including zinc-coated steel, hollow plastic plugs, and full-body wedge anchors. Despite their name, molly bolts are made to be medium-weight object anchors, which means that they are much stronger than other plugs. Because they’re made of zinc, these bolts are recommended for use in plaster walls. However, the thickness of the plasterboard and wall must be known in advance before purchasing.
Plaster walls are more difficult to repair than drywall, and they are hollow, which means they need heavier-duty fasteners. For this reason, they should be mounted with heavy-duty anchors. To hang heavy objects, consider using toggle bolts or molly bolts. These bolts can handle up to 20 pounds of weight. If you’re not sure whether molly bolts are right for your project, you can use plastic anchors or adhesives.
Durability
When you are installing a molly bolt system into a plaster wall, you need to know the thickness of the wall. To get the best results, you should first pre-drill the wall. Once you have drilled the hole, insert the molly into the wall and tighten it to the specified tightness. If you are using a zinc anchor, it may break during insertion, but it is still a good option for plaster walls.
Once you’ve drilled the hole, you should thread the toggle bolt into it. Insert the toggle bolt into the wall void. Turn the screwdriver clockwise until the toggle bolt completely penetrates the wall void. Be careful not to overtighten the screw as this may damage the plaster and break the toggle. To prevent this, some toggle bolts feature a plastic sleeve on one end that will hold the toggle in place.
You can use drive or sans-point mollys. Drive mollys are for thicker walls, like drywall, and have a metal/plastic point to drive into the wall. Original-style mollys, on the other hand, are without the point. These anchors are made in various sizes, from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch. The longer the molly, the stronger it is.
Installation
A molly bolt is a screw that has a pointed tip. You can use one to secure picture hangers or brackets to plaster walls. When driving a molly bolt into a wall, be sure to pre-drill the hole. When insertion is complete, the head should be flush with the drywall. To tighten the screw, you can use a hammer or rubber mallet. Turning the screw tightens the bolt against the wall.
To hang heavy items like pictures and mirrors, you should use molly bolts instead of plastic anchors. Plastic anchors can cause damage to plaster walls, while metal anchors can help you hang heavy items. Make sure you use metal anchors for plaster walls because plastic wall anchors cannot be used with plaster. Be sure to use masonry bit when drilling holes for these anchors. A molly bolt is ideal for holding 25 to 50 pounds of weight.
Molly bolts are best used on drywall and plaster walls. They have a small slotted sleeve that spreads when the machine-threaded screw is tightened. This feature makes the molly bolt a strong purchase. This type of anchor is usually used on drywall but can be used in plaster-and-lath walls as well. You need to pre-drill a hole and tighten the bolt to prevent it from spinning inside the hole before the sleeve expands.