Plasterboard fixings ?

[J4CKO]

Got to put some shelves up for my mother in law, I took all my stuff round to do them and after much indecision she settled on two walls that were plasterboard, I had run out of the fixings I bought years ago for plasterboard and I know she wants to put books on one of the shelves so will need some decent fixings.

Not bought any in a while so any suggestions for what the best ones are ?

Will have a look and see if I can find the stud in the wall so any suggestions on a gadget to find them, want to go prepared so only need one visit.

[BigRuts]

For plasterboard I have had good success using fixing like these: https://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-hollow-wall-an...

Combined with a setting tool like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-heavy-duty-set...

[megaphone]

The hollow wall anchors above are good, sometimes they have a kit on sale at Lidl. You need to determine if it is a single skin of PB or a double, as you will need the correct hollow wall anchors to fit.

You may be able to pick up on a stud in the wall if your lucky. Is it a stud wall? Or is it a solid wall with dot and dab plasterboard over? If later you can drill through to the solid behind.

[Mr Pointy]

Hollow wall anchors as linked above are good, but best installed using the proper tool. I like spring toggles but it can depend on what you are fixiing to the wall:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-nails-fixings/sp...

Some people rate Gripits but you need a big hole in the plasterboard:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-nails-fixings/pl...

If you're spanning dot & dab use Corefix (see Amazon for more types):
https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-nails-fixings/pl...

Geefix are very strong fixings but again need a bigger hole in the plasterboard:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=geefix+plasterboard+c...

[Fatboy]

I use these a lot, much higher load capacity that you'd think, put up several shelves with them...

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-self-drill-plas...

[geeks]

BigRuts said:

For plasterboard I have had good success using fixing like these: https://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-hollow-wall-an...

Combined with a setting tool like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-heavy-duty-set...

I use these to hang TV's from.

Fatboy said:

I use these a lot, much higher load capacity that you'd think, put up several shelves with them...

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-self-drill-plas...

and these for shelves (well the metal version)

Either or would be fine I would say.

[allegro]

I've used everything over the years and it really depends on the depth of the plasterboard coupled with the depth of the void behind it. These are my go to plugs at the moment. always a great fix and reasonably cheap for the peace of mind they give you
https://www.plasplugs.co.uk/hollow-wall-fixings/su...

[yellowbentines]

Fatboy said:

I use these a lot, much higher load capacity that you'd think, put up several shelves with them...

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-self-drill-plas...

I've tried these many times - the plastic and metal versions.

They usually end up chewing a great big hole without actually screwing in tight - is there a knack to them?

I switched to the hollow wall anchors and even bought the setting tool, but I recently used them to mount something to a ceiling and when I went into the loft and checked the reverse they were all mashed up at the back - they hold fine but didn't crush/compress neatly like I expected. Again perhaps I'm doing something wrong, the setting tool comes with no instructions so I reckoned I'd figured it out

[megaphone]

Fatboy said:

I use these a lot, much higher load capacity that you'd think, put up several shelves with them...

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-self-drill-plas...

Do not use these, they are not designed to take any weight. If you want your shelf to stay up use hollow wall anchors or spring toggles.

[bristoltype603]

I'm surprised no one has suggested the Fischer Duopower plugs yet. Just buy the 6mm and the 8mm plugs and you're covered for pretty much any substrate or combination of substrates. Particularly handy when you're drilling into a wall that's been botched together.


https://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-duopower-wall-p...

[geeks]

yellowbentines said:

I've tried these many times - the plastic and metal versions.

They usually end up chewing a great big hole without actually screwing in tight - is there a knack to them?

I switched to the hollow wall anchors and even bought the setting tool, but I recently used them to mount something to a ceiling and when I went into the loft and checked the reverse they were all mashed up at the back - they hold fine but didn't crush/compress neatly like I expected. Again perhaps I'm doing something wrong, the setting tool comes with no instructions so I reckoned I'd figured it out

I wind them in by hand

megaphone said:

Fatboy said:

I use these a lot, much higher load capacity that you'd think, put up several shelves with them...

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-self-drill-plas...

Do not use these, they are not designed to take any weight. If you want your shelf to stay up use hollow wall anchors or spring toggles.

I guess my shelves and blinds all stay up by magic then?

[paulrockliffe]

Those Geefix things are magic. Watch the videos and you'll be sure they're a con, they're those sort of videos, but they're proper solid,

I've used them to hang radiators on the side of a pocket door framed wall without issue.

[J4CKO]

Just got these off Amazon,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07J476MTV/ref...

Put the two shelves up and they are rock solid, thanks for all the advice.

[sospan]

I like the hollow wall fixings and started by hand fitting them. I bought the proper fitting tool and it is much easier and gives a consistently good result.
I have a stock of the plastic and metal insert types but only use them for low load fixings. If not used carefully they can destroy the plasterboard.

[mgtony]

Re the metal/plastic screw-in type. Although they are called 'self drilling' and you should be able to blast them in, you'll find that they can chew up the plasterboard. Drill a pilot hole first to the size of the the leading front edge of the fitting so that the thread then gets a good neat, tight and secure bite.