Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-50mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Andrew

Andrew May scribbled...


Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-50mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?


I've never had a problem with either of these

Fischer Plasterboard Plug LDF 4mm - code 81956
Fischer Plasterboard Plugs HDF 4mm - code 58219

Both available from Screwfix

Half the price of the Spit Driva TP12 Panhead Metal which can make a
mess of the plasterboard.

On 20/05/2014 09:06, Jabba wrote:

I've never had a problem with either of these

Fischer Plasterboard Plug LDF 4mm - code 81956
Fischer Plasterboard Plugs HDF 4mm - code 58219

Both available from Screwfix

Half the price of the Spit Driva TP12 Panhead Metal which can make a
mess of the plasterboard.

I've tried both of those but they hold fast by virtue of the screw being
tightened against the wall. Can't do that for these shelves.

On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-50mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Andrew
Oddly the very pasting of the link may have solved the problem. The
linked page also shows these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor-5-x-43mm-6-13mm-pack-of-10/18266

Has anyone any experience of them?

In article , Andrew May
wrote:
Oddly the very pasting of the link may have solved the
problem. The linked page also shows these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor-5-x-43mm-6-13mm-pack-of-10/18266

Has anyone any experience of them?
I've used these a lot - ideally you need a tool to fix them
firmly, but we've got all our clothes hanging on them in our
walk in wardrobe.

John

--
John Mulrooney
NOTE Email address IS correct but might not be checked for a while.

The good we stand on is our truth and honesty.

On Tue, 20 May 2014 09:17:08 +0100, Andrew May wrote:

On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-me...lf-drill-pack-
of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind
the plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when
the screw is not fully tightened?

Andrew
Oddly the very pasting of the link may have solved the problem. The
linked page also shows these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wal...m-6-13mm-pack-
of-10/18266

Has anyone any experience of them?

Yes excellent things, it may seem rash but get the setting tool as well
it makes their use so much easier!

Avpx

On 20/05/2014 09:17, Andrew May wrote:
On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-50mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/27238


I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Andrew
Oddly the very pasting of the link may have solved the problem. The
linked page also shows these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor-5-x-43mm-6-13mm-pack-of-10/18266


Has anyone any experience of them?

I've used them regularly - they will solve your problem but it's worth
buying or making a pulling tool to "set" them - if you do it by
tightening the screw then the body turns and fails to lock into the
wall. Aldi had a setting tool in a box of wall anchors recently - less
than £10

On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-50mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Hollow wall anchors, inserted with the setting tool:

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh...view_siz e=20

Basically once the sleeve is expanded, its locked in place and the bolt
can be set at any position.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On Tue, 20 May 2014 08:58:50 +0100, Andrew May wrote:

Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

Not the end of the world, because the fixings usually provided are cheese
bin-fodder anyway...

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Mmm. I used to have one of those self-same shelves in the office, on a
plasterboard wall. It was _laden_ with reasonably heavy guff for three-
four years, and never moved a millimetre. BUT... it didn't fit in the way
you describe... There was a steel plate which screwed solidly to the
wall, with steel "prongs" protruding, which the "wood" slid over from the
front, and was secured into the bottom.

The assembly PDF on Ikea's website shows that as still being the case.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/assembly_i...ons/lack-wall-
shelf__AA-10128-8_pub.pdf

Andrew May wrote:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor-5-x-43mm-6-13mm-pack-of-10/18266


Has anyone any experience of them?

The ones I've had from Unifix have a setting tool with them, but I've
made my own because it works better. You have to be careful not to
overtighten these fixings. In plasterboard I would not hang a great
amount of weight on them. The hole has to be exactly the right size.

Bill

On Tuesday, 20 May 2014 09:06:29 UTC+1, Jabba wrote:

Fischer Plasterboard Plug LDF 4mm - code 81956
Fischer Plasterboard Plugs HDF 4mm - code 58219

Half the price of the Spit Driva TP12 Panhead Metal which can make a
mess of the plasterboard.

Whereas I much prefer the TP12 metal fixings. I've never found any issue with them but then I do always drill a pilot hole as a matter of course so perhaps that's the key.

In the OP's instance however I'd echo the recommendation to use hollow wall anchors - they're about as a strong a board fixing as you'll get. Whilst I wouldn't necessarily the application I've seen them holding up heavy kitchen cupboards and radiators before.

Mathew

On 20/05/2014 11:01, Adrian wrote:
On Tue, 20 May 2014 08:58:50 +0100, Andrew May wrote:

Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

Not the end of the world, because the fixings usually provided are cheese
bin-fodder anyway...

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Mmm. I used to have one of those self-same shelves in the office, on a
plasterboard wall. It was _laden_ with reasonably heavy guff for three-
four years, and never moved a millimetre. BUT... it didn't fit in the way
you describe... There was a steel plate which screwed solidly to the
wall, with steel "prongs" protruding, which the "wood" slid over from the
front, and was secured into the bottom.

The assembly PDF on Ikea's website shows that as still being the case.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/assembly_i...ons/lack-wall-
shelf__AA-10128-8_pub.pdf

I think that is the case for the larger shelves. These are no more than
300mm wide. They were going to used as bedside shelves so just taking a
lamp, a clock and a glass of water. I was surprised at the fixing but
then IKEA seem to be constantly 'refining' their designs to make them
cheaper to produce.

On Tue, 20 May 2014 10:11:08 +0100, wrote:

I've used them regularly - they will solve your problem but it's worth
buying or making a pulling tool to "set" them - if you do it by
tightening the screw then the body turns and fails to lock into the
wall. Aldi had a setting tool in a box of wall anchors recently - less
than £10

Beat me to it, saw in Aldi Hexham maybe a fortnight ago and Carlisle
today, already have one so didn't note the prices but it's in the
order of £10 to £20. Setting tool may not be the best particulary
with the smallest anchors as the heads on the screws are only just
bigger than the slot in the tool. Does the job though and you get a
range of anchor sizes.

--
Cheers
Dave.

John Rumm wrote:
On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-50mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/27238


I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Hollow wall anchors, inserted with the setting tool:

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh...view_siz e=20


Basically once the sleeve is expanded, its locked in place and the bolt
can be set at any position.


Seconded for the wall anchors but, IME, it is best to equip yourself
with a variety of fixings to meet different circumstances. In
particular, if the gap behind the plasterboard is small the wall anchors
cannot be inserted far enough to work. This can be because the board is
too close to the blockwork behind it, or you happen to have hit a stud
or blob of plaster behind the board. Judicious tapping or drilling a
small pilot hole to check may help. Sod's law says it doesn't.

Chris K

On 20/05/2014 10:07, nick wrote:
On Tue, 20 May 2014 09:17:08 +0100, Andrew May wrote:

On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-me...lf-drill-pack-
of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind
the plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when
the screw is not fully tightened?

Andrew
Oddly the very pasting of the link may have solved the problem. The
linked page also shows these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wal...m-6-13mm-pack-
of-10/18266

Has anyone any experience of them?

Yes excellent things, it may seem rash but get the setting tool as well
it makes their use so much easier!

Avpx

ALDI have a pack of fixings including the tool for £9:99 at the moment.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On 20/05/2014 15:10, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Tue, 20 May 2014 10:11:08 +0100, wrote:

I've used them regularly - they will solve your problem but it's worth
buying or making a pulling tool to "set" them - if you do it by
tightening the screw then the body turns and fails to lock into the
wall. Aldi had a setting tool in a box of wall anchors recently - less
than £10

Beat me to it, saw in Aldi Hexham maybe a fortnight ago and Carlisle
today, already have one so didn't note the prices but it's in the
order of £10 to £20. Setting tool may not be the best particulary
with the smallest anchors as the heads on the screws are only just
bigger than the slot in the tool. Does the job though and you get a
range of anchor sizes.

The ALDI setting tool is better than the one I got from Screwfix - which
broke.

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On 20/05/2014 17:21, ChrisK wrote:
John Rumm wrote:
On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-50mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/27238



I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Hollow wall anchors, inserted with the setting tool:

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh...view_siz e=20



Basically once the sleeve is expanded, its locked in place and the bolt
can be set at any position.


Seconded for the wall anchors but, IME, it is best to equip yourself
with a variety of fixings to meet different circumstances. In
particular, if the gap behind the plasterboard is small the wall anchors
cannot be inserted far enough to work. This can be because the board is
too close to the blockwork behind it, or you happen to have hit a stud
or blob of plaster behind the board. Judicious tapping or drilling a
small pilot hole to check may help. Sod's law says it doesn't.

Chris K


I've used wall anchors on dot n dab walls. Trick is to drill the hole
deep enough.

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On 20/05/2014 18:14, The Medway Handyman wrote:
On 20/05/2014 10:07, nick wrote:
On Tue, 20 May 2014 09:17:08 +0100, Andrew May wrote:

On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind. This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-me...lf-drill-pack-
of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind
the plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when
the screw is not fully tightened?

Andrew
Oddly the very pasting of the link may have solved the problem. The
linked page also shows these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wal...m-6-13mm-pack-
of-10/18266

Has anyone any experience of them?

Yes excellent things, it may seem rash but get the setting tool as well
it makes their use so much easier!

Avpx

ALDI have a pack of fixings including the tool for £9:99 at the moment.


echo ... echo ... echo ;-)

wrote:

On 20/05/2014 18:14, The Medway Handyman wrote:

ALDI have a pack of fixings including the tool for £9:99 at the moment.

echo ... echo ... echo ;-)

Ah, but you said "had [...] recently" TMH said "have [...] at the moment".

The Medway Handyman wrote:

Andrew May wrote:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor/18266

ALDI have a pack of fixings including the tool for £9:99 at the moment.

Anyway the setting tool is available all year round for £7.75 from
toolsatan with fixings around the £1-3 mark depending on size required.

On 21/05/2014 10:05, wrote:
On 20/05/2014 18:14, The Medway Handyman wrote:
On 20/05/2014 10:07, nick wrote:
On Tue, 20 May 2014 09:17:08 +0100, Andrew May wrote:

On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:
Was asked to fit a couple of IKEA LACK shelves - the floating kind of
shelf with hidden fixings. Anyways it seems that these no longer come
with any fixings - the instructions just exhort one to consult your
supplier.

The shelves have a keyhole that slots over an exposed screw head. In
solid walls this is fine - you just tighten the screws up until the
right amount of shaft is exposed and drop the shelf over them.

Fixing to plasterboard is another problem. Most plasterboard fixings
rely on the screw being tightened to clamp the fixing from behind.
This
is not feasible as the screw needs to be left protruding.

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-me...lf-drill-pack-
of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the
plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind
the plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when
the screw is not fully tightened?

Andrew
Oddly the very pasting of the link may have solved the problem. The
linked page also shows these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wal...m-6-13mm-pack-
of-10/18266

Has anyone any experience of them?

Yes excellent things, it may seem rash but get the setting tool as well
it makes their use so much easier!

Avpx

ALDI have a pack of fixings including the tool for £9:99 at the moment.


echo ... echo ... echo ;-)

I know what you're up to. You read my post & traveled back in time by 5
hours. I do wish you would stop doing that!

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

In article , nick wrote:
On Tue, 20 May 2014 09:17:08 +0100, Andrew May wrote:
Oddly the very pasting of the link may have solved the problem. The
linked page also shows these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wal...m-6-13mm-pack-
of-10/18266

Has anyone any experience of them?

Yes excellent things, it may seem rash but get the setting tool as well
it makes their use so much easier!

I've used a few without a setting tool with no problem. (But if there's
a set with cheap tool on offer, might as well get it anyway.)

You do need to check the plasterboard thickness and get the right size.

On 20/05/2014 17:21, ChrisK wrote:
John Rumm wrote:
On 20/05/2014 08:58, Andrew May wrote:

The only type of fixings that I have used that do not do this are the
little die-cast screws with a large thread that screw into the wall
first and then screw the actual screw into them.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-50mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/27238

I am not convinced though that these will not pull through with the
forces placed by the shelf. There is nothing behind the plasterboard to
spread the load.

I there any fixings that I have missed that combine something behind the
plasterboard to spread the load with the ability to hold fast when the
screw is not fully tightened?

Hollow wall anchors, inserted with the setting tool...

Seconded for the wall anchors but, IME, it is best to equip yourself
with a variety of fixings to meet different circumstances. In
particular, if the gap behind the plasterboard is small the wall anchors
cannot be inserted far enough to work. This can be because the board is
too close to the blockwork behind it, or you happen to have hit a stud
or blob of plaster behind the board. Judicious tapping or drilling a
small pilot hole to check may help. Sod's law says it doesn't.

I've used the metal self-drive screws (url above) successfully on dot and
dab walls. Once the thread was started into the plasterboard I had to
break off the drill tip part to be able to drive the screw flush with the
plasterboard. My small (~0.5 kg) surround sound speakers are each supported
by a couple of these screws and have been up for nearly 3 years.

Generally the fittings designed to open out behind the plasterboard won't
have enough space to work on dot and dab walls (I've tried a number!),
unless you fancy The Medway Handyman's approach of drilling out the solid
wall behind the plasterboard. (Dave, I can see this would work with hollow
wall anchor fittings. Have you tried this with spring toggle fittings,
which would seem to be less likely to work?)


--
Graham Nye
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