Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8' high
by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors which
resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple wings.
Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. Thought I was just drilling through
sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole deeper.
It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the wood
for the screw to hold.
What to do now? Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into the
hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. Any thoughts or ideas will
be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dick in Ferris, TX

"Dick Keats" wrote in message
...
Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8' high
by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors
which resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple wings.
Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. Thought I was just drilling through
sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole deeper.
It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the wood
for the screw to hold.
What to do now? Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into the
hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. Any thoughts or ideas
will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dick in Ferris, TX


Drill a 3/8" hole about 1 1/2" deep. Cut a piece of 3/8 dowel 1 1/4" long.
Put a dab of glue on it and put it into the hole. Now re-drill the pilot
hole for the screw and all is well.

On Aug 14, 10:26*pm, "Dick Keats" wrote:

Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8' high
by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors which
resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple wings.
Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. *Thought I was just drilling through
sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole deeper.
It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the wood
for the screw to hold.
What to do now? *Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into the
hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. *Any thoughts or ideas will
be appreciated.

Nothing wrong with the toothpicks and glue route. I wouldn't
eliminate the possibility of using a longer screw into the wood
studs. Not sure about your curtain plans, but with 1/2" drywall
you're only getting 1" of bite out of a 1.5" screw, and that's not a
lot for heavy curtains over a bigger span.

R

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:26:43 -0500, "Dick Keats"
wrote:

Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8' high
by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors which
resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple wings.
Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. Thought I was just drilling through
sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole deeper.
It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the wood
for the screw to hold.
What to do now? Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into the
hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. Any thoughts or ideas will
be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dick in Ferris, TX


First try snipping the expansion plug to drywall thickness.
Tap it in flush.
If the screw expands it, and goes in tight, that should work.
But toothpicks work fine for small holes. Used them many times.
Or enlarge the bracket holes and go up in screw size.

--Vic

On Aug 14, 8:02*pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:26:43 -0500, "Dick Keats"





wrote:
Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8' high
by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors which
resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple wings.
Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. *Thought I was just drilling through
sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole deeper..
It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the wood
for the screw to hold.
What to do now? *Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into the
hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. *Any thoughts or ideas will
be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dick in Ferris, TX

First try snipping the expansion plug to drywall thickness.
Tap it in flush.
If the screw expands it, and goes in tight, that should work.
But toothpicks work fine for small holes. *Used them many times.
Or enlarge the bracket holes and go up in screw size.

--Vic- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Odd. I have used a lot of those over the years, never have had
problem putting them in. they should just push in with fingers or at
most a light tap with a hammer.

Harry K

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:17:00 -0700 (PDT), Harry K
wrote:


Odd. I have used a lot of those over the years, never have had
problem putting them in. they should just push in with fingers or at
most a light tap with a hammer.

Harry K

Yeah.
I've run across some that go in pretty tight when using specified
drill size. And still have some plugs that aren't tapered.
Only thing I can figure is the end catching on hole in the stud
somehow, or it's too big for the drill size.
The drywall gives way but the wood doesn't.
Finding wood there I'd toss the plug anyway

--Vic.

Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8'
high by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors
which resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple
wings. Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. Thought I was just
drilling through sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole
deeper. It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the
wood for the screw to hold.
What to do now? Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into
the hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. Any thoughts or
ideas will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dick in Ferris, TX

instead of toothpicks use a wooden skewer and some glue.
much quicker than a bunch of toothpics

On Aug 15, 12:04*am, "ChairMan" nospam@nospam wrote:

instead of toothpicks use a wooden skewer and some glue.
much quicker than a bunch of toothpics

Well, if you're going to get nit picky about the tooth picky, a golf
tee is about the best there is for that sort of thing.

I'm also not quite clear on how much time savings there'd be on
filling a single hole with a skewer instead of toothpicks. Five
seconds...?

R

On Aug 15, 12:04 am, "ChairMan" nospam@nospam wrote:

instead of toothpicks use a wooden skewer and some glue.
much quicker than a bunch of toothpics

Well, if you're going to get nit picky about the tooth picky, a golf
tee is about the best there is for that sort of thing.

not everyone's a duffer

I'm also not quite clear on how much time savings there'd be on
filling a single hole with a skewer instead of toothpicks. Five
seconds...?

one skewer vs 3-4 maybe 5 tps?
I dunno about you, these days i can use every second I can get.
days are like hours, weeks are like days, and months are like weeks.
Your time may varyg

Dick Keats wrote:
Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8'
high by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors
which resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple
wings. Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. Thought I was just
drilling through sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole
deeper. It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the
wood for the screw to hold.
What to do now? Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into
the hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. Any thoughts or
ideas will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dick in Ferris, TX

Abandon the idea of the expanding tubes. Somebody in the dim past
manufactured 100 million of the damn things and sold them to hardware
manufacturers. These manufacturers, in turn, dispense them with every
product they sell in an effort to diminish the pile sufficiently so the
balance can be taken to the dump. These plastic screw holders don't hold
worth squat and will die of shame in the middle of the night causing your
dog to go nuts, your wife to scream, and you to have heart palpitations!

Go to the hardware store and buy some 2" screws of the appropriate diameter.
Done.

"HeyBub" wrote:
-snip-

Abandon the idea of the expanding tubes. Somebody in the dim past
manufactured 100 million of the damn things and sold them to hardware
manufacturers. These manufacturers, in turn, dispense them with every
product they sell in an effort to diminish the pile sufficiently so the
balance can be taken to the dump. These plastic screw holders don't hold
worth squat and will die of shame in the middle of the night causing your
dog to go nuts, your wife to scream, and you to have heart palpitations!

Go to the hardware store and buy some 2" screws of the appropriate diameter.
Done.


Heybub and I are in agreement on something!BG

While you're at the hardware store get a box of these
http://www.amazon.com/Wall-Driller-S.../dp/B001KU43IO

Get the metal ones- 2" #8 screws. When you need to hang something,
use the 2" screw. If it hits a stud, you're good. If it doesn't,
then remove the screw and use the anchor. These puppies *hold*.

Jim

In article , "Dick Keats" wrote:
Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8' high
by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors which
resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple wings.
Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. Thought I was just drilling through
sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.

That's a good thing, not a bad thing. It means your curtain rod will be
anchored into the framing of the house, instead of just into the drywall.

I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole deeper.

That was a mistake -- but you know that know. For future reference, if that
happens again, the moment you hit wood, Stop! Get a smaller drill bit (e.g.
1/8 or 7/32) and *then* drill deeper, and use a longer screw (at least 1/2"
longer than the one you would have used with the drywall anchor).

It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the wood
for the screw to hold.
What to do now? Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into the
hole and use a screw.

Just get a longer screw. Try one 2-1/2" long instead.

Thanks to all for your comments and ideas.
Dick

"Dick Keats" wrote in message
...
Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8' high
by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors
which resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple wings.
Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. Thought I was just drilling through
sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole deeper.
It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the wood
for the screw to hold.
What to do now? Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into the
hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. Any thoughts or ideas
will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dick in Ferris, TX

"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in
:


"Dick Keats" wrote in message
...
Situation is that SWMBO wanted me you put up curtain rods over two 8'
high by 6' wide sliding doors.
Packaged with the rods and #8 x 1-1/4 screws are some plastic anchors
which resemble white tubes with a split on both sides and a couple
wings. Instructions said to use a 3/16" bit. Thought I was just
drilling through sheetrock but I was very quickly into wood.
I tried to get the anchor in but it refused so I drilled the hole
deeper. It still didn't want to go in without bending.
So then I tried a 1-1/2" screw but I had drilled too deeply into the
wood for the screw to hold.
What to do now? Only idea I'm having is to cram some toothpicks into
the hole and use a screw.
Changing the location of the bracket is not an option.
BTW, the bracket and screwheads will be visible. Any thoughts or
ideas will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dick in Ferris, TX


Drill a 3/8" hole about 1 1/2" deep. Cut a piece of 3/8 dowel 1 1/4"
long. Put a dab of glue on it and put it into the hole. Now re-drill
the pilot hole for the screw and all is well.


OP:

Just let the glue dry before redrilling. Drill could pull the plug right
out.

Any time you're around windows & doors, there's a good possibility of
hitting wood because of stud/jack/header construction. Always drill each
hole with like a 1/8 bit and see if you get punchthru after 1/2" or if
you hit wood beyond 1/2". With punchthru you'll need an anchor of your
choice because there's no wood behind it.

Couple of caveats: Your screw can end up going between two pieces of
lumber and not be strong. Also, right where you want to put a screw
there's a drywall screw just under the surface or a nailhead in the
framing lumber under the drywall. That is an appropriate time to say
"****".