How to Fit Hollow Wall Anchors

This video outlines the two ways of fitting hollow wall anchors - 1) manually using the bolt itself, and 2) with a setting tool.

I wasn't planning to do this video today, but I had a question in the comments feed "Hi mate can you show us how to do it without the anker tool? Surely that's how they made it?" He was right of course - there is a way of operating hollow wall anchors without using a separate setting tool, but I prefer to use the setting tool so hadn't featured the first way in any of my previous videos.

So in today's video I show you how to fit a hollow wall anchor using just the bolt in the anchor itself. For completeness I also show you how the setting tool works.

In Today's Toolkit*:
- Electric Drill (for drilling the holes into the plasteboard)
- Electric Screwdriver (not essential but makes it a bit easier!)
- Drill bit - 10mm

* The Amazon links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do.

And here's the legal bit I have to state: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

SUBSCRIBE - you can subscribe to my Channel here:

LET'S CONNECT!
Charlie DIYte

[SebastianMartin-zeet]

Thanks! Soon turning 55, and I have never learnt this! Well, no need so far, but now my son needs my knowledge :)

[James-bd]

Great video! As a curtain fitter myself too, I use these all the time to get a secure fixing for the weight of the curtains. From my experience the top tips I can give are.
1.Make sure to drill the hole level. 2. DO-NOT over pump when using the tool. 3. Check the bolt screw head and use the correct drill bit or screwdriver, as the bolt heads are fairly soft and can get ruined easily. 4. Always when using the tool make sure to screw the bolt in and then unscrew as this make sure that the umbrella is fully open and tight to the plaster board. 5. When fixing item to either wall or ceiling make sure not to over tighten as this will pull the umbrella too much and pop the plaster! leaving you will a big hole!

[InspirationSessions]

Thanks so much for this life-saving video! Must have had beginners’ luck with the first few anchors I fitted - but then had a total ‘mare yday. Popped out this morning to buy a setting tool but just tried one with the ‘old fashioned’ technique and that addition of the turning stop is a total game-changer! Thanks again!

[stevebills]

That tip about putting the bracket in front of the screw was invaluable thank you! I was sitting with a spinning anchor - the teeth / claws had just gouged a circular hole in the plasterboard - scouring the web for a solution. It's not a bracket that I was ultimately fixing (it was a guitar hanger which is much thicker and with that the screw wasn't reaching far enough in to bite) but adding one I had going spare worked to get the anchor expanded. I'd just about given up on it so thank you very much for the tip!

[whomadethatsaltysoup]

I recently hung a very heavy mirror above a fireplace in plasterboard. I didn't want to cut the finished wall to install a plywood pad - too time consuming, ugly and, IMHO, overkill.


Anyway, before commencing, I had a look at your other tut on drywall fixings -if you hang curtains for a living, you are definitely and expert in getting the best fixing into drywall - and decided to give the anchors a bash, going on the premise that I could always fall back on the plywood pad if I was not confident that the anchor would suffice.


I've used them before, quite a long time ago. I seem to remember that, whilst they are plenty strong, the process could be a bit hit and miss. Until watching your video (and Andy's over at the Gosforth Handyman), I did not know about the setting tool.


Well, what a fantastic piece of kit! Drilled the appropriate holes in the plasterboard, and seconds later both anchors were firmly fixed, ready to accept the heavy mirror.


Yes, fifteen quid might seem a bit steep for a tool that you don't think you'll use that often, but I have the feeling that it will be a bit like my trusty multi-tool: Never leave home without it!


Thanks for sharing

[qaier]

Ah jeez. I wish I had come across this video much sooner; it would have saved me years of pain with failed hollow wall anchors. I had always just used them with the screw and initially they generally seemed to work. Recently every single one I was using (from B&Q) was failing. I thought that the anchors were faulty. I've invested in a setting tool and hey presto, they now work perfect every time. Thanks for the great video.

[shifty]

Absolutely solid video, relevant to anyone worldwide who has plasterboard which will be the whole world with new build construction cost cutting going forward!

Nice and simple with easily digestible instructions.

Thumbs up, thanks.

[sandyhager]

I have so many items to hang on our walls at home and have been afraid to hang them. I've made many unnecessary holes in the past...and learned how to fix them because of it. Thank you Charlie!

[ummhhrzem]

This is amazing! I didn’t even know anchor screws were a thing!! I’m about to run off and repair all my irritating hollow wall fittings ! Thank you

[elenaromero]

I have seen several videos, which did not solve my problem, but this is an excellent video: it explains everything in a simple and detailed way, and in a short time. Thank you.

[ladykenja]

- W O W ! ! ! That demo solved my issues with this toggle. THANX for sharing.

[everest_CFA]

You just saved me $750... that was the quote to install 5 pictures!!! Amazing

[Litesnip]

Brilliant. I fitted my son's TV to the wall using these anchors without the setting tool. Works a treat and a solid fitting

[dreddiknight]

Thank you. This is the second time a video from you has come up, when I've been researching DIY stuff. You're great!

[WRHAP]

Thanks! Annoyed that other videos don't mention the need for a backstop when not using the tool - had I'd seen your video first, that statement alone would have saved me a couple of trips to the store and a lot of frustration. Thanks again!

[steeviebops]

Thank you so much for such a clear video. I never drilled into walls before having rented all my life, but now I’m in my own place and had to work this out. I have the setting tool but wasn’t too sure how to use it so this was ideal for me.

[beadbuddies]

You’re helping so many thick people who cant even screw into plasterboard. Society’s most incompetent. Like me.

Thanks 🙏

[jondoe]

This vid saved me ripping my inside door veneers to shreds! I didn't realise you needed the turn- stop bracket beforehand - CHEERS chap!

[ataturkyusuf]

Got a job tomorrow using these and this helped me right out mate. Much appreciated and that was a clear and to-the-point video.

[lawandliberty]

Thanks very helpful. I'd used them years ago but had forgotten how to set them just using a screw driver. The extra bracket seems to be key to it tightening properly.