How To Use A Wall Plug

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Wall plugs, normally referred to as "Rawlplugs" or "rawl plugs" subsequently the company that invented them, are small plastic fittings capable of gripping and belongings screws when installed in difficult walls. These plugs tin can be used in walls fabricated of various materials only piece of work particularly well in walls made from materials that do not expand, similar plasterboard, brick, or cement.

one
Consider the weight of the object. ^[one] The weight of the object you wish to hang will determine the screw judge y'all'll need, and the spiral gauge will determine the correct wall plug.
- The gauge of a screw is the diameter of the non-threaded portion. Larger numbers indicate a larger bore.^[2]
- As a general rule, the heavier the object is, the larger screw gauge you'll demand.
- If the object comes packaged with manufacturer'south instructions, review those instructions for communication on the proper spiral guess.
- If no instructions are available, use the following notes as a full general guide:
  - Standard kitchen cupboards may need size ten (v.0 mm) screws.
  - Internal doors may demand size 8 (four.0 mm) screws.
  - A shelf measuring one thou (0.91 k) (1 1000) in length may require size eight (4.0 mm) screws.
  - A 12-inch (thirty.v-cm) by 8-inch (20-cm) picture show frame may demand size 6 (3.5 mm) screws.
- When in dubiousness, utilize screw that might exist too large instead of using one that might be as well small.
ii
Match the wall plug to the spiral. The right wall plug size volition primarily depend upon the screw gauge being used.
- More than precisely, the wall plug size will change based on the drill bit used to create the hole.
- Equally a general rule:^[3]
  - Xanthous plugs fit into 5.0 mm holes and work best with screw sizes iii and 4, but tin be used for screw sizes three through eight.
  - Red plugs fit into 6.0 mm holes and work best with screw sizes six and 8, simply can exist used for spiral sizes 6 through 10.
  - Brown plugs fit into 7.0 mm holes and piece of work all-time with screw sizes 8 through 12, merely can be used for screw sizes 8 through xiv.
  - Blueish plugs fit into 10.0 mm holes and work best with screw size fourteen, merely can be used for screw sizes 14 through xviii.
- Note that non every brand follows the aforementioned color guidelines. Check the packet or the wall plug itself for information apropos hole size before you begin working with any set of plugs.
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3
Examine the wall. Determine whether the wall is solid or hollow before purchasing wall plugs for it.^[4]
- Solid walls will demand the standard bullet-shaped wall plug.
- Hollow walls will need wall plugs with wings, too known as plasterboard plugs.

1
Insert the correct bit into the drill. Insert the required drill scrap into a power drill, firmly locking it into place.
- Choose a drill bit that corresponds to the necessary pilot hole size for the wall plug you intend to use. In other words, apply a 5.0 mm drill scrap for a yellow plug, a 6.0 mm drill bit for a blood-red plug, a 7.0 mm drill bit for a brown plug, or a x.0 mm drill bit for a blueish plug.
- If in doubt, compare the drill bit with the large drill bit pigsty on the left side of the wall plug strip. The chip should tightly fit into this guide hole.
two
Drill a pilot hole straight into the wall. Concur the drill bit to the wall and slowly drill your pilot hole.
- The drill itself should be positioned at a right bending against the wall.
- Work slowly and merely drill a hole that is simply long plenty to adapt the screw you intend to utilize.
3
Remove a plug. Remove 1 wall plug from the strip by twist and snapping it off.
- The sparse plastic connecting the plug to the strip must intermission, but the trunk of the plug must remain intact and undented.
4
Insert the plug into the pilot hole. Using your fingers, push button the wall plug into the airplane pilot pigsty.^[five]
- After pushing it into the wall as far every bit possible with your fingers, apply a hammer to carefully push button it in farther. End once the caput of the wall plug is affluent against the wall.
- Note that it must fit snugly into the hole. If it feels loose, the plug volition be unable to grasp the screw properly and will only spin around as you lot attempt to install the screw. If the plug is loose, increase the plug size and suit the spiral size as needed to match.
5
Gently twist in the spiral. Insert the tip of the spiral into the installed wall plug, then gently twist the head of the spiral in betwixt your fingers until the tip enters the outset few millimeters of the plug.
- Note that the screw must be equal to or larger than the minimum spiral size pigsty indicated on the wall plug strip. Information technology must as well be equal to or smaller than the maximum screw size hole on the same strip.
- If y'all are unable to go the screw to grip properly when using your fingers, you could screw the first few millimeters in using a transmission screwdriver. You could also gently tap the get-go few millimeters in using a hammer.
- Inserting the tip into the plug in this style can reduce the amount of pressure put on the wall when y'all tighten the screw, thereby reducing the risk of cracking or otherwise damaging the wall material.
half-dozen
Switch to the proper tool. You tin can terminate tightening the spiral using a Phillips screwdriver or an electric drill, but yous'll need to brand sure that yous have the right size tool before you brainstorm.
- Check the width of the screwdriver or drill bit against the slot of the screw. The ii must be a shut match.
vii
Tighten the screw firmly. Slowly tighten the screw into the wall plug as needed using the drill or screwdriver.
- If you decide to utilise a power drill, run the drill on its slowest speed to reduce the risk of overtightening the screw.
- Exercise not overtighten the screw. If it feels too tight and working information technology into the wall takes too much endeavour, y'all should reverse the tool and pull the screw out. Switch to a smaller screw or start over with a larger pilot hole before trying again.
- Once the screw is securely tightened into the wall plug, the installation process is complete.

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Question

How practise you hang with a French cleat?

Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman Boston. With over 15 years of experience, Ryaan specializes in home improvement and belongings maintenance by leveraging technology and craftsmanship. Ryaan holds his Construction Supervisor and Home Comeback Contractor Licenses. Unlike virtually handyman contractors, All-time Handyman Boston is licensed and insured. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com take named Best Handyman Boston the All-time Handyman in Boston.

Home Improvement Specialist

Skillful Respond

You accept a board with the length of the item you're trying to hang and you lot rip it through the SAR and a 45. That will make two different angles: you lot hang ane side on the wall and spiral the other side into whatever you're hanging on the wall.
Question

What size Rawl plug do I need for a 16 mm pigsty in concrete, and what size motorcoach screw would exist best?

For a 16 mm hole, I practise not believe in that location is a Rawl plug. Use a Dyna bolt or AnkaScrew.
Question

How practice I tell if there is an electricity cable in the wall?

By reading the building program. The utility cablevision plan will show the routing of cable within the wall.
Question

How practise you put a spiral plug in?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Reply

Start by putting a drill bit that fits the screw into the drill. Make a airplane pilot hole in the surface so information technology'due south deep plenty to fit the screw. So, use your fingers to push the plug into the pilot pigsty as far as you can. Have a hammer and use it to gently tap the end of the plug until it'southward all the way in the pilot hole.
Question

How much weight tin can a Rawlplug concur?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Respond

Rawlplugs are rated to withstand weights between 44 lbs (20 kg) and 110 lbs (50 kg). If they kickoff to come out of a surface you tin can tighten the screw to bulldoze them dorsum into the pigsty that'southward holding it. If it cracks or breaks, have it out and supersede it with a new one.
Question

What are wall plugs used for?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

A wall plug, likewise known as an anchor or a Rawlplug, are pocket-sized plastic fittings that grip and hold screws when they're installed into hard walls such as brick or cement. They'll prevent a spiral from coming out of the wall after yous install information technology.

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Things You lot'll Need

Screws
Wall plugs/fittings (rawl plugs)
Electric drill with appropriate drill bits
Screwdriver
Hammer

About This Article

Article Summary X

To utilise a rawl plug, which is a plastic fitting that grips and holds screws when installed in hard walls, pick larger gauges for objects that counterbalance more. You'll also want to make sure that the wall plug fits the screw guess. If you're dealing with a solid wall, use standard bullet-shaped wall plugs. However, for hollow walls, utilise wall plugs with wings. When you're ready to install your rawl plug, insert the right size flake into the drill and make a airplane pilot hole straight into the wall. Put the plug into the airplane pilot hole with your fingers, then use a hammer to get it flush with the wall. So, gently twist in the screw before tightening it down with your drill or screwdriver. To learn how to tell the size of a wall plug based on its color, proceed reading!

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