Hi there, wondering if somebody can help me, I don't have much of a clue with DIY and need to hang a mirror on what I think is a plasterboard wall. I have a drill and a set of screws with wall plugs(this was recommended by the guy in the shop). It says the screws/wallplugs are 8 x 40/50 and I don't know what drill bit I should use to get the correct size hole for the wall plug?Many thanks
Hanging a mirror
- Thread starter JCKC
- Start date
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If it's a plasterboard wall you don't need to drill it, what type of mirror? framed? unframed? drilled? etc.
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here is a pic of the mirror and the screw fixing i have for it //www.diynot.com/network/JCKC/albums/
Ye I think it's plasterboard then as sounds quite hollow....do the pics I have posted look like the right fixings for the job and if so do I drill holes for the wall plugs and how do I know what size drill bit to use?
For heavy stuff on to plasterboard you may like to consider hollow wall anchors (Screwfix 18266 for example).
You may get away with rawlplugs if the hole you drill is really snug, and the plug grips tight.
I think there's a figure missing in your kit.....a typical screw size is 4x45
and it would seem that you have 8mm rawlplugs - so its an 8mm hole you need.
I would recommend drilling a pilot hole into the wall first - say 3mm. You'll either hit fresh air or a timber stud. If you make a mistake a small hole is easily filled.
Your marking out will need to be nicely accurate too - you'll need a spirit level for that.
John
You may get away with rawlplugs if the hole you drill is really snug, and the plug grips tight.
I think there's a figure missing in your kit.....a typical screw size is 4x45
and it would seem that you have 8mm rawlplugs - so its an 8mm hole you need.
I would recommend drilling a pilot hole into the wall first - say 3mm. You'll either hit fresh air or a timber stud. If you make a mistake a small hole is easily filled.
Your marking out will need to be nicely accurate too - you'll need a spirit level for that.
John
Cheers mate, when u say a figure missing what does that mean?and when drilling, where should I put the plug on fresh air or timber stud? Prob sounds really basic stuff lol but I am pretty inexperienced in DIY.should I put it in at an angle or straight?
A typical screw size would be 4x45, which means its 4mm in diameter and 45mm long. Typical rawlplug sizes are 5, 6, 7 and 8mm.
The plugs are often marked with the drill size needed - or at least the packet is!
There's techniques involved in everything.....a wall anchor is inserted level, as are other expanding plugs. Normal picture hooks (very light duty) are put in at a downwards angle.
Its difficult to spot studs within a wall - hence my tip about a small pilot hole first. If you hit timber, the drill will feel resistance all the way and a normal screw can be used. If you drill into fresh air, you'll feel that too and thats when you need a wall anchor or some other specialist fixing.
With heavy mirrors I do tend to go over the top a bit - having seen one mirror break away from its fixing, and come crashing down onto an antique yew table
John
The plugs are often marked with the drill size needed - or at least the packet is!
There's techniques involved in everything.....a wall anchor is inserted level, as are other expanding plugs. Normal picture hooks (very light duty) are put in at a downwards angle.
Its difficult to spot studs within a wall - hence my tip about a small pilot hole first. If you hit timber, the drill will feel resistance all the way and a normal screw can be used. If you drill into fresh air, you'll feel that too and thats when you need a wall anchor or some other specialist fixing.
With heavy mirrors I do tend to go over the top a bit - having seen one mirror break away from its fixing, and come crashing down onto an antique yew table
John
Tried hanging the mirror, I had one of the hooks in perfect, but the one on the other side the plug wouldn't go in as easily, it just kept flattening.....I then tried puttin the holes in different places, but I can't get the plugs to go in anywhere now they keep flattening
Any suggestions??
Any suggestions??
Maybe you are trying to push a plug into a hole that isn't deep enough?
It sounds like you may have hit a timber stud on this one....
John
It sounds like you may have hit a timber stud on this one....
John
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