Remove anchors? From floating shelves help please!

[CocoLuna]

Good evening,

I've just taken down some floating shelves installed by the last home owners and am left with a wall of these crazy wee guys.

They seem to go pretty far in the wall.

So far I have tried to just use a flat head screwdriver and sort of prize them out and also thought I could screw a screw in and then pull out with pliers or something but haven't found a screw that would fit just yet.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Deleted member 174758]

They are metric machine screws in the main, 4mm and 5mm are the most common sizes. They can be broken-out quite easily and there are a couple (or more) vids on YouTube including:

this one by Chez

and

this one from iScaper

 

[CocoLuna]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I’ll try the hammer route in the morning!
Thanks again

 

[conny]

Insert a correct size set screw, (sometimes known as a bolt!), leaving the head projecting a short distance.
Place a block of wood against the wall to protect it and use a claw hammer to lever them out by placing the claw under the screw/bolt head.
There may be a little breakout around the hole but this can be repaired with filler.

Just looked at both those links and they seem to be a better way. LOL

 

[foxhole]

You can just drill out with HSS bit like you would a pop rivet.

 

[CocoLuna]

Thanks everyone!
No idea what an hss bit or pop rivet bit is but have had success with a sort of mish mash of everything! Hammer in to get some purchase then wiggle out and use the pliers to snip the top off.
Thanks again!
I’m having fun trying some DIY.
Next up I’m going to try and relocate a light

 

[foxhole]

Thanks everyone!
No idea what an hss bit or pop rivet bit is but have had success with a sort of mish mash of everything! Hammer in to get some purchase then wiggle out and use the pliers to snip the top off.
Thanks again!
I’m having fun trying some DIY.
Next up I’m going to try and relocate a light

BANG

 

[conny]

Thanks everyone!
I’m having fun trying some DIY.
Next up I’m going to try and relocate a light

That statement scares me!

 

[Deleted member 174758]

 

[CocoLuna]

I know right! .
Maybe I’ll leave that til further on in my diy adventuring.