Should a screw always be longer than the plug?

[Homervanderjazz]

So I have used the plug in the above picture on plasterboard and used a 4mm diameter screw, as recommended, which is 30mm in length.

I have used this plug and screw to attach a plastic carrier bag holder to the wall.

However, I have had to leave some of the screw unscrewed from the plug so that the carrier bag holder has something to hook onto.

The problem is that the plug seems loose in the wall. Now I am starting to think it’s because I did not use a long enough screw especially as I did not screw it all the way in.

What’s your thoughts on this? Would a longer screw solve the issue? Thanks

 

[SammyInnit]

View attachment 129137
So I have used the plug in the above picture on plasterboard and used a 4mm diameter screw, as recommended, which is 30mm in length.

I have used this plug and screw to attach a plastic carrier bag holder to the wall.

However, I have had to leave some of the screw unscrewed from the plug so that the carrier bag holder has something to hook onto.

The problem is that the plug seems loose in the wall. Now I am starting to think it’s because I did not use a long enough screw especially as I did not screw it all the way in.

What’s your thoughts on this? Would a longer screw solve the issue? Thanks

.

The screws to be tight up for the plug to expand in the hole.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

You may want to consider something like this instead of a standard screw

 

[Homervanderjazz]

.

The screws to be tight up for the plug to expand in the hole.

Sorry what?

 

[Nige F]

yes try a longer screw

 

[Doggit]

The problem you've got, is that yes, the screw needs to be longer than the plug, or it won't grip behind the plasterboard. The cup hook won't work in the plasterboard plug, and you'd be better off finding a hook that you can screw into the plug with a longer screw.

 

[SammyInnit]

Sorry what?

Plugs like that are designed to mechanically fix against the back of the plasterboard in the void, not expand within the diameter of the hole so the screw has to be completely bottomed out (screw provided will be the right length to bottom the plug out).

Not like masonry wall plugs that expand outwards to achieve a friction fix.

If the screw isn't long enough or the screw isn't pinched up, the plug won't work and you should look at other types.

 

[foxhole]

Once you place the holder on the screw head you will have to tighten it .Ideally you need a different type of plug.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CITJoe7phtcCFQaJ7QodPpoDkQ

 

[opps]

These fixings lock themselves without the screw needing to be inserted.

http://www.gripitfixings.co.uk/gripit-plasterboard-fixing/

They are more expensive than the ones recommended by Foxhole though but you aren't limited to one screw/fixing/load bearing size.

I have used them to wall mount large TVs that would have been to heavy for the easy drive fixings. The downside however is that you need to drill a larger diameter hole.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

The problem you've got, is that yes, the screw needs to be longer than the plug, or it won't grip behind the plasterboard. The cup hook won't work in the plasterboard plug, and you'd be better off finding a hook that you can screw into the plug with a longer screw.

The cup hook will work providing you find one which has a long enough screw.........

Grip Its are extremely expensive - on shop fits I use "umbrellas" (or more properly Rawlplug Intersets, but Fischer and Spit also do them), like these:

Which ideally should be inserted using a setting tool:

If you are doing any volume of fixings into PB these outperform Grip Its at a fraction of the price per unit. I doubt you'll find many tradesmen using Grip Its. Not too keen on Redi Drivas like the ones foxhole proffers - seen them go wrong far too often

 

[JohnD]

you can get vine eyes and screw hooks in gardening places and on ebay, with a longer shaft, which would be fine for your bag holder.

For heavy weights, I think it is preferable to use something that goes into the studs, or long enough to screw into the wall behind, although many people seem happy to put kitchen cabinets on plasterboard.

 

[Homervanderjazz]

Thanks for all the replies folks, lot of useful info for me to work with

 

[foxhole]

A lot of the info above ignores that what you are trying to hang has to have screws of a specific size so most suggestions won’t work.