Has anyone used these and know where I can get them
I like the idea that you do not have to drill such a big hole as you do with toggle anchors. I dont mind drilling a hole its just that toggle anchors need such a big one.
because the hollow wall anchors sit proud of the surface
As RSGas said the American ones still have a flange, so just like an umbrella or a "curly-whirly" (Redi-driva) they will sit above the surface slightly. Pull them in really hard and you might end up having to repair cracks in the skim (which is true for all these types of fasteners). And as for wider backing, an umbrella pulls in four ways, not two. I've used them (umbrellas) to install load-bearing shelves in shops, etc as well as at home for a few years. Properly installed they carry a substantial load and don't pull-out (in fact they can be a beggar to get out at all unless you know the trick). They are also cheap, and more to the point, readily available in the UK. I wouldn't have toggles or curly-whirlies (or anything looking remotely like them) if they were given these days - not only do they need a big hole, but neither will carry as much weight as an umbrella fixingYBut I liked the look of the American ones because the flip over arm gives a wider backing than the umbrella ones and the American ones look like they may sit below the surface of the plaster too.
I wouldn't have ... ... curly-whirlies
pull under the surface just enough to be flush.
M6 x37 rawlplug umbrellas failed at 240lbs and the last test the 5x50 spring toggles failed at 387lb
Perhaps 10 15mm M5 washers stacked up and glued together if they would be the correct size.
240lb = 109kg. So how much does your radiator weigh? As you stated above toggles require a big hole, so I for one can't use them in a lot of instances. In the past I've had toggles pull through where the back of the PB was damp for some reason. And as RSG says, if you ever need to take the rad off the wall you'll loose the toggleAS for strength I came across this which was interesting. Go to 1min 30 and see the M6 x37 rawlplug umbrellas failed at 240lbs and the last test the 5x50 spring toggles failed at 387lb. Even with a big 15mm hole I was impressed by the spring toggle
Foot print of fixing is not a concern the rad fixings you are using with hide all .Yes I have been discussing those on another thread. But I liked the look of the American ones because the flip over arm gives a wider backing than the umbrella ones and the American ones look like they may sit below the surface of the plaster too. The flip over arm is similar in size to a spring toggle but my problem with a spring toggle is that for an M5 toggle you need a 15mm hole, then that 5 mm toggle bolt has all that extra space to wiggle around.
I am fitting a towel radiator so the brackets only have a small footprint on the wall so I don't like the idea of a 15mm hole weakening the plasterboard behind each bracket. If I was fitting a batten or something it would not matter.
I am going with toggles because the hollow wall anchors sit proud of the surface which means the rad bracket will not sit flat on the wall and will also only be sitting on the penny size head of the hollow wall fitting. Which is why I liked the look of the American ones because I think they can be screwed in flush with the surface and they have a toggle size backing without a big hole that a toggle needs.
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