What size drill bit do I use for plastic anchors?

Plastic Anchors To get the right-size hole, measure the shank of the drill bit against the front of the anchor — its diameter should be the same size or 1/16 inch more than that to make the opening for the screw.

How do I choose a drill bit for an anchor?

“You want a drill bit that’s big enough to drill a hole in the wall, and easy to push the anchor in with your thumb,” Donahue explains. “You don’t want to have to force it in there. The drill bit should be the same size as the body of the anchor you’re using.”

How big of a hole should I drill for an anchor?

The drill bit for the pilot hole should be smaller than the width of the anchor that is being used. Use the drill bit recommended by the manufacturer. It will be mentioned on the package or in the instructions. Some kits include the correct size bit.

What can I use instead of a 5/16 drill bit?

5/16 converts to 10/32. Assuming your bit set is that granular, the next larger size is 11/32, and the next smallest size is 9/32. Those aren’t necessarily common sizes, however. The next size up in x/16 would be 6/16, which is 3/8.

Do you need plastic anchors?

Plastic anchors protect walls and wall hangings. When you need to hang something on a wall and there’s no stud in the right spot, plastic wall anchors may be the solution. Also called expansion anchors, they reinforce a screw in the wall surface so it can’t easily be ripped out.

How much weight can ribbed plastic anchors hold?

For reliable support in light-duty situations (up to 15 pounds), rely on the Qualihome Ribbed Plastic Drywall Anchor Kit.

How much weight can plastic wall anchors hold?

Plastic versions hold medium loads (10 pounds to 25 pounds) in drywall and plaster. How to use them: Bore a hole in the wall large enough to accommodate the toggle. Fit the item to be anchored over the bolt, then insert the toggle and tighten.

What can I use instead of wall anchors?

An alternative to using a large wall anchor for heavy duty mounting is to always find a wall stud for whatever item you are hanging on the wall. Then you can use a smaller gauge screw (or nail) without any type of anchor required.

What size is 5mm drill bit?

Metric Tap and Drill Bit Size Table

Tap Metric Drill US Drill
5mm x 0.8 4.3mm
6mm x 1.0 5.2mm
7mm x 1.0 6.1mm 15/64″
8mm x 1.25 6.9mm 17/64″

Can you drill a hole in a plastic wall anchor?

When using a drill, select a bit with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the wall anchor for a tight fit. Push the plastic wall anchor as far as it will go into the hole with your finger.

How does a self drilling drywall anchor work?

Normally these types of anchors have a cut down the middle so when the screw goes in far enough, they expand and tighten inside the wall. These don’t, so when you try to drive the screw in, it stops at the end of the hole and then tries to screw the anchor itself further into the wall.

What are plastic anchors used for on walls?

Plastic anchors protect walls and wall hangings. When you need to hang something on a wall and there’s no stud in the right spot, plastic wall anchors may be the solution. Also called expansion anchors, they reinforce a screw in the wall surface so it can’t easily be ripped out.

Where do you put the screw on a wall anchor?

Place a screw in the center of the wall anchor. Anchors are often sold in packages that contain screws in the correct sizes. If you purchased the anchors separately, select the right screw for the anchor. If the screw size isn’t listed on the package, you may need to try a few before you find one that fits perfectly.