"simon mitchelmore" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the warning. I had planned a Wickes kitchen with 1000mm wall units and I
have larger than average loads of tins and plates.

Ironically the 1000 units are fine because they have a central pillar to support the
shelf, the 800 units don't hence the problem.

Thanks Moron Watch, will probably try the divider suggestion next, do you mean wall
plugs when you
mention 'plastic plugs'? I was wondering about drilling a longish 3mm hole then
whacking in some 5 or
6 mm self tappers. Would plastic plugs be stronger?

Yes plastic plugs. I've used the yellow ones in the past for horizontal rather
than load bearing joints. Just the standard cheap strips fromToolstation etc.
On the strips there are recommended ranges for screw and drill sizes. From
memory I used the smallest drill size and the largest screw size. Testing this
out on scraps before proceeding any further and adjusting as necessary. Providing
the hole is plumb in the middle of the edge you should be ok. If your pilot is near to
one edge just resite it in the middle.
Its always possible to use longer plugs, reds and browns to accommodate longer thin
gauge screws, Though the recommended screw and drill sizes will maybe need to be
ignored. Again a bit of experimenting with scraps should give the right combination.

A whole industry since the 1930's has been based on the supposition that the sideways
force exerted by a close fitting plug of any kind into any material will be superior to
that
obtainable with a bare thread. Which doesn't necessarily mean that self tappers
might not work providing they were long enough. only that plugs using the appropriate
size drill and screw should provide a stronger solution.