Fixings for shelves into breeze blocks?

[Panoply]

Hello all,

Apologies if this is a really stupid question but I've been googling and still can't seem to decide.

I have a garage that is just painted breeze block and I want to fix two big long shelves onto the walls. I'm going to reuse two sides of chipboard off an old wardrobe, so the shelves are only 1.5cm thick, but are 40cm wide and 180cm long, so I intend to use four or five brackets along each length to give it a lot of support.

I found these brackets on Screwfix: http://www.screwfix.com/p/hi-load-mitred-bracket-350-x-350mm-79kg-pack-of-10/56023 and thought they would do the trick, but no fixings are supplied and I'm confused as to which to go with.

The shelves will be going straight onto the breeze block, but do I need to use a special type of plug or screw? All my googling has just made me more confused as everyone who's asked about a similar situation has been greeted by so many different answers.

I saw these plugs: http://www.screwfix.com/p/nylon-plugs-6-8mm-pack-of-100/13756?_requestid=987220 recommended but they mention coach screws.. isn't that going a bit overboard? Are wood screws suitable or will they be useless against the breeze block?

I'm obviously not a big DIYer (can't even fit a shelf!) so don't want to go and buy the wrong type and never use them. Any specific suggestions are eagerly received. Thank you!

 

[Monkeh]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-uno-plugs-brown-4-6mm-pack-of-96/46081 + http://www.screwfix.com/p/quicksilver-countersunk-prodrive-10-x-2-pack-of-200/11792

 

[Panoply]

Thank you! Unfortunately those rawlplugs are out of stock for delivery so I hope they don't take too long to come back into stock; the nearest Screwfix store isn't very near!

Any suggestions as to which screws/plugs to use to secure the chipboard shelf to the brackets? Since it's only 1.5cm do I actually need to use a plug? I found this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/goldscrew-countersunk-3-x-12mm-pack-of-200/14448 and this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/goldscrew-countersunk-3-5-12mm-pack-of-200/11157, but what's the difference between the 3 and the 3.5?

 

[Monkeh]

Thank you! Unfortunately those rawlplugs are out of stock for delivery so I hope they don't take too long to come back into stock; the nearest Screwfix store isn't very near!

They have other size packs.

Any suggestions as to which screws/plugs to use to secure the chipboard shelf to the brackets? Since it's only 1.5cm do I actually need to use a plug? I found this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/goldscrew-countersunk-3-x-12mm-pack-of-200/14448 and this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/goldscrew-countersunk-3-5-12mm-pack-of-200/11157, but what's the difference between the 3 and the 3.5?

Oddly enough, the difference is that one is 3mm and the other 3.5mm. You'll need longer than 12mm and the screw size may need to be larger depending on the holes in the bracket.

 

[Panoply]

They have other size packs.

Well the only other size pack I can see is a pack of 1000. Considering I'll only need 30 at most I don't fancy shelling out £16.50 for 970 more plugs than I'll need.

Oddly enough, the difference is that one is 3mm and the other 3.5mm. You'll need longer than 12mm and the screw size may need to be larger depending on the holes in the bracket.

Why would I need longer than 12mm? The board is only 15mm deep, I don't want it to poke through. And I don't see how I'm supposed to know the screw size for the brackets until I've bought them. I assume the 3 and the 3.5 refer to size of the head?

 

[joe-90]

The main thing is to get the plug to be a snug fit in the hole.

I'd be using the big standard blue plugs if it were me.

 

[Monkeh]

They have other size packs.

Well the only other size pack I can see is a pack of 1000. Considering I'll only need 30 at most I don't fancy shelling out £16.50 for 970 more plugs than I'll need.

They do a pack of 300, they also do a mixed pack of multiple sizes.

Oddly enough, the difference is that one is 3mm and the other 3.5mm. You'll need longer than 12mm and the screw size may need to be larger depending on the holes in the bracket.

Why would I need longer than 12mm? The board is only 15mm deep, I don't want it to poke through. And I don't see how I'm supposed to know the screw size for the brackets until I've bought them. I assume the 3 and the 3.5 refer to size of the head?

Because you've got to get through the bracket first and still have enough thread to get a worthwhile grip. The sizes refer to the shank size, not head size. You'll just have to get the brackets and figure out the screws afterwards like we all do.

 

[JohnD]

I think Slotted Column shelving systems are better
http://www.screwfix.com/c/storage-ladders/twin-slot-systems/cat831528

You screw the uprights to the wall, and slot the brackets into the channel at whatever height you desire. You can easily move them later if you wish. The channels spread the load over the entire height (but especially the topmost screw)

btw "breeze" (you probably mean lightweight concrete) blocks are fairly soft and crumbley. If you vac or water-squirt all the dust out, you can then inject NoMoreNails or a cheap equivalent into the hole to fill it, then push your plasplugs right in. The next day, when it has set, the plasplugs will be firmly held and will not spin in the hole or come loose.

If it was me I would use 50mmx4mm countersunk screws, and brown plugs, so it will be very strong.

 

[SunnySomerset2012]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-uno-plugs-brown-4-6mm-pack-of-96/46081 + http://www.screwfix.com/p/quicksilver-countersunk-prodrive-10-x-2-pack-of-200/11792[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the newbie question but why would these be suitable for breeze blocks or masonary ?
In the screwfix catalogue they come under wood screws ?

 

[Monkeh]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-uno-plugs-brown-4-6mm-pack-of-96/46081 + http://www.screwfix.com/p/quicksilver-countersunk-prodrive-10-x-2-pack-of-200/11792[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the newbie question but why would these be suitable for breeze blocks or masonary ?
In the screwfix catalogue they come under wood screws ?

Because they are driven into the plugs to cause them to expand and hold onto the blockwork via friction.

 

[SunnySomerset2012]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-uno-plugs-brown-4-6mm-pack-of-96/46081 + http://www.screwfix.com/p/quicksilver-countersunk-prodrive-10-x-2-pack-of-200/11792[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the newbie question but why would these be suitable for breeze blocks or masonary ?
In the screwfix catalogue they come under wood screws ?

Because they are driven into the plugs to cause them to expand and hold onto the blockwork via friction.

Thabk you for the reply, I was just trying to send you a pm to see if i could pick your brains but your profile is blocked.
I have started a thread similar to this about plugs and screws thats why i asked the question.

 

[foxhole]

Thermalite blocks require screw in plugs , standard plugs just pull out as they offer no friction with plug due to the soft nature of the blocks.
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/fixtotherm.htm