What kind of screws do I need to put up a wall shelf?

Question

I'm trying to put up a wall shelf that I bought from IKEA. I didn't realize that different walls required different types of screws. I had bought some #10 X1-1/2" flat head phillips screw at a nearby hardware store, but unfortunately, even when I drill the screw through a stud, the screws fail to hold the shelf in place. I can literally pull the screws out from the wall with my bare hand. Would using "plugs" or "mooring screws" do the job? Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, or even better are you sure you are hitting the stud? If so, use longer screws...

Answer 2

Take one of the screws to a hardware store and ask them to match the screws up with "drywall anchors." You sound a bit new to this, so while you have the store employee with you, ask him/her what size drill hole you need to make. When you are back home, you will need to drill a hole that size at each place you want the screw, push the anchor into the wall until the lip part is the only thing that shows, then put up the shelf brackets by screwing into the anchors. The anchors expand behind the wall as you insert the screws, which gives the brackets good leverage and a tight fit against the wall. One precautionary note: Anchors are never intended to come out. If you want to redecorate later on, you can cut off the lip, push the remaining part of the anchor through the wall, then fill the hole with spackling or drywall filler.

Answer 3

"How to put up an object so that it won't come down"...On a hollow wall, attach a fixture to a stud whenever possible. Use a common nail or wood screw long enough to go through the fixture and wall and well into the stud. Drill a pilot hole for a screw. Secure a heavy item with a "lag bolt". Or use a "hanger bolt." One of its ends is threaded like a wood screw; the other like a machine bolt. Clamp locking-grip pliers to its center section to drive into a pilot hole... Support a very heavy load, such as a kitchen cabinet, from a board secured to two or more studs with "lag bolts" or "hanger bolts". Use a sheet-metal screw to fasten to a metal stud... For a light load, use a "plastic anchor." Drill a slightly smaller hole or punch one with a large nail. Tap in the anchor. Use a sheet-metal screw...To hold more weight, use a hollow-wall anchor(Molly bolt). Drill a slightly larger hole and slip it in. Steady it with another screwdriver in a flange opening and tighten the screw. You'll feel resistance when the anchor flares out in the wall. Remove the screw and mount the fixture. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Put Up A Shelf

Answer 5

Based on what you said, it sounds like you're dealing with a form of drywall. The best way to mount something on a wall like that is to use regular wood screws, assuming that you can definitely find the studs behind the drywall to screw into. Lacking that, I'd recommend using a Toggle Bolt. Photo of one is at the link below. They can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Answer 6

if you are truly drilling thru a wood stud and then can pull it out by hand, your pilot hole is to big use a smaller drill bit.
if you are just drilling thru drywall, then yes you will need the 'butterfly' anchors to put in the wall.
you can tell if you are really hitting wood by looking at the tip of the drill bit after drilling...do you see wood bits in the grooves?
ask your hardware store which screws to use for each application
good luck

Answer 7

a longer screw as you need to go through the self support
through the plaster then into the stud 100mm x 10 screw

Answer 8

Just use plastic anchors.