Fixing Wood to Brick - Totally Stalled

[gettingbetter]

Hi,

This is a bit of a long post, but I wanted to highlight my problem clearly to facilitate accurate replies. Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to give. The actual questions are in red at the bottom for ease of reference.

I am trying to attach a long vertical wooden batten to brickwork, from floor to ceiling. It will be used to hold up a reasonably heavy large plywood door on some built-in alcove shelving. It is shown in the picture below.

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• gettingbetter
• 6 Jul 2011
• 1

I am using these frame fixings to attach it to the wall:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-frame-fixings-8-x-120mm-pack-of-50/91648

As per the instructions on the box, I drilled 8mm holes in the batten (see picture below) and pressed the plugs through the holes:

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• gettingbetter
• 6 Jul 2011
• 1

I then drilled 8mm holes in the brickwork, thoroughly vacuumed the holes, and attached the batten to the wall using the plugs that I’d pressed through the batten beforehand. I am now trying to screw the supplied screws (4mm x 125mm, see image below) into the plugs to secure them and only a couple of them will go all the way in.

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• gettingbetter
• 6 Jul 2011
• 1

Most of them go ¾ of the way in and then jam. When I try to force them, the drill shears the pozidriv markings on the screw (I have gone through dozens of screws from this pack in that manner) rendering them useless. I just can’t get the torque to turn them all the way in.

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• gettingbetter
• 6 Jul 2011
• 1

I know the holes are straight, because I’ve tried just sticking the metal screws into them without the plugs and they all fit fine. Likewise, I've tried just having the plugs inserted without the screws and they fit fine too. So, the problem only occurs when the screws are inserted into the plugs, thereby expanding the plugs into the brick and causing resistance to tightening the screw. I tried using a B&Q screw I had lying around and it went in fine too, so it really is the softness of these Rawl Plug screws that is the problem – they just disintegrate under stress from the screwdriver. I therefore need to get replacement screws that are tougher and able to handle the torque required to get them all the way in. I called Screwfix (from whom I bought these frame fixings) and they were unable to advise me on whether or not they had screws matching the size I need – they said the Rawl Plug screws are unique and hence couldn’t be replaced directly by a standard screw. I can’t believe how cr%p the Rawl Plug screws were. I was previously using some frame fixings from B&Q for the shelf-support battens (see below) and had no such problems. I switched to the Rawl Plug ones at Screwfix because they were vastly cheaper. I thought they’d be good quality being a brand name. Having Screwfix be unable to offer any helpful advice today over the phone was doubly disappointing. http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.j...083&fh_location=//catalog01/en_GB/categories<

So anyway, I’ve been looking online for 4mm thick x 125mm long screws (or even 4mm x 115-120mm) and have had no luck. I’ve looked at popular kinds like Turbo Gold and Spax etc and haven’t been able to find the size I need. All screws of that length seem to be thicker than 4mm. I can’t even find 5mm thick in that size. I tried using a 6mm thick screw and it tore the plug. I can’t use less than 120mm in terms of length, because it doesn’t fully expand the plug. From left to right, the image below shoes the result of a screw that is too short (4mm x 100mm), the correct supplied screw (4mm x 125mm), and a screw that is too thick (6mm).

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• gettingbetter
• 6 Jul 2011
• 1

So, I need one in the original 4mm x 125mm measurement AND with a tougher head that doesn’t get sheared. I was thinking that a Torx or Robertson (Square) or Hex slot might work better (see below) after reading up a bit on torque etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx

E.g. the following two links show Hex heads which look like they’d handle more torque than the Pozidrivs but are too thick
http://www.screwfix.com/p/self-dril...00/74979#product_additional_details_container
http://www.screwfix.com/p/fastenmaster-timberlok-screws-8-x-100mm-pack-of-50/56926


Please can anyone advise me on where to buy the 4mm x 125mm screws with a tougher Pozidriv or Hex/Robertson/Torx head?

If I can’t find those screws, my only other options would be to use Hammer-in frame plugs...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-nylon-hammerfix-8-x-120mm-pack-of-50/90560
...or frame screws without plugs...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/frame-fixing-7-5-x-122mm-pack-of-100/81227

Can anyone advise on which of the two would be the better option? Can the frame screws actually grip into brick properly without plugs?

I know this is a long post. Thanks for reading to the end. Any advice you can offer would be massively appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Monkeh]

If I were you I would simply hammer the screws in.

 

[misterhelpful]

Before looking to use different fixings, and assuming you haven't already, try coating the screw of the frame fixings you have with washing up liquid. It's surprising the difference a little lubrication makes.

 

[foxhole]

Those frame fixing are totally unsuitable, they are little more than ridged nails and should be hammered in , but are so weak they bend on hammering, throw them and use standard plugs and screw, will be much easier.

 

[Monkeh]

Those frame fixing are totally unsuitable, they are little more than ridged nails and should be hammered in , but are so weak they bend on hammering, throw them and use standard plugs and screw, will be much easier.

Should learn to hit them straight, foxxy.