Hollow Wall Fastening

Fastening to a hollow wall is a breeze--as long as you can hit a stud. How often does that happen? Many times the item being hung dictates where it will be hung, and there's never a stud where you need one behind the drywall. Hollow wall anchors are the answer, and the right selection is critical to success.

Common plastic anchors rely on expansion as the screw is inserted to hold. They are light duty only. Screw-in or auger type fasteners are stronger and more convenient to use since they can be screwed into the drywall without a pilot hole. Strongest of all is the toggle bolt. These fasteners have a long machine thread screw and a folding winged piece that opens inside the wall and acts as a clamp as the screw is tightened down. Toggles are also the most awkward to use.

Remember that the fastener is no stronger than the material it is being fastened to.

- Stephen Corwin

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001