Someone back in the past hung up a curtain rod to my plaster ceiling
with a sleeve type "Molly" anchor. I can't remove this anchor easily
and haven't been able to find encouraging news online. Does anyone know
how to remove this type of anchor without making a big mess? We're
patching the holes and about to paint. Thanks!

Here's what it looks like (sort of)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4269106.pdf

I don't think there is any way to remove these and not take a chunk of the
plaster with it. Your only hope would be to dent it in a little, with a
light touch of a hammer(carefully) and then fill the dent with plaster. Good
luck.
"Chris" wrote in message ...
Someone back in the past hung up a curtain rod to my plaster ceiling
with a sleeve type "Molly" anchor. I can't remove this anchor easily
and haven't been able to find encouraging news online. Does anyone know
how to remove this type of anchor without making a big mess? We're
patching the holes and about to paint. Thanks!

Here's what it looks like (sort of)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4269106.pdf

"John Lawrence" wrote in message
...
I don't think there is any way to remove these and not take a chunk of the
plaster with it. Your only hope would be to dent it in a little, with a
light touch of a hammer(carefully) and then fill the dent with plaster.
Good luck.
"Chris" wrote in message ...
Someone back in the past hung up a curtain rod to my plaster ceiling
with a sleeve type "Molly" anchor. I can't remove this anchor easily
and haven't been able to find encouraging news online. Does anyone know
how to remove this type of anchor without making a big mess? We're
patching the holes and about to paint. Thanks!

Here's what it looks like (sort of)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4269106.pdf




Yeah, all you can really do is push it through or cover it up. I suppose
you could try to drill it through the middle so the front ring falls off and
you can push it through a smaller hole but there's a risk it would spin the
molly and make a mess.

pipedown wrote:

"John Lawrence" wrote in message
...
I don't think there is any way to remove these and not take a chunk of the
plaster with it. Your only hope would be to dent it in a little, with a
light touch of a hammer(carefully) and then fill the dent with plaster.
Good luck.
"Chris" wrote in message ...
Someone back in the past hung up a curtain rod to my plaster ceiling
with a sleeve type "Molly" anchor. I can't remove this anchor easily
and haven't been able to find encouraging news online. Does anyone know
how to remove this type of anchor without making a big mess? We're
patching the holes and about to paint. Thanks!

Here's what it looks like (sort of)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4269106.pdf




Yeah, all you can really do is push it through or cover it up. I suppose
you could try to drill it through the middle so the front ring falls off and
you can push it through a smaller hole but there's a risk it would spin the
molly and make a mess.

Ok, I think I'm all set now. I drilled out the bottom using two drill bits in
stages. I was lucky, there was no spinning, although I took it easy with the
bit since I was drilling through metal. The larger bit caused the flange to
completely break away from the rest of the anchor post. Then I used a flat
screwdriver, just bigger than the remaining width of the anchor, to push it up
farther into the ceiling, with the help of a small hammer. I didn't push it all
the way through, but far enough that there is plenty of hole to fill in. I'll
probably be using water putty for that part of the job, or perhaps vinyl
spackling. Thanks for the advice!

I have had the best luck with carfully drilling out the center, then
pushing in the sleeve, filling the cavity with wet kleenex, and
finishing off with spakling (maybe 2-3 coats). With the plastic
sleeves, cut off top with a sharp chisle or utility knife, and push
through. Same repair technique as the moly bolts.

John Lawrence wrote:
I don't think there is any way to remove these and not take a chunk of the
plaster with it. Your only hope would be to dent it in a little, with a
light touch of a hammer(carefully) and then fill the dent with plaster. Good
luck.
"Chris" wrote in message ...
Someone back in the past hung up a curtain rod to my plaster ceiling
with a sleeve type "Molly" anchor. I can't remove this anchor easily
and haven't been able to find encouraging news online. Does anyone know
how to remove this type of anchor without making a big mess? We're
patching the holes and about to paint. Thanks!

Here's what it looks like (sort of)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4269106.pdf



Yep - If its a "molly bolt" then yes, the only thing to do is hammer it
down just below the surface and plaster, Spackle, use patch or drywall
compound to cover. If you remove it you will have a bigger hole to deal
with. If you can get to the back side then you might be able to nip off
the ears with diagonal cutters and remove it.