Using Wall Anchors With Brackets Hanging Shelves

Mark inside the holes so you know exactly where to insert the screws.

Using wall anchors with brackets hanging shelves.

To use dry wall anchors start by drilling a hole into the wall you re installing the anchors in at a 90 degree angle. The smallest anchors hold up to 18 pounds in 1 2 drywall and the medium size anchors hold up to 25 pounds in 5 8 drywall. If you don t have an electric drill press the tip of a philips head screwdriver against the wall and twist it back and forth to create a hole. Turn them clockwise with a screwdriver or drill until they are about flush with the anchors.

Remove the shelf and the brackets from the wall. The thought of installing heavy duty shelves using dry wall anchors used to intimidate me. Plan to position the shelves so that the support brackets will be located over the centers of the studs. Throw away the free anchors.

But we made some diy rustic shelves a couple of years ago and it honestly wasn t as hard as i thought. If you can t attach your shelf to studs and must use hollow wall anchors make sure to choose one that will support your shelf in the long run. These types of anchors are the most common and when you think of drywall anchors you probably think of. You need the different sizes since drywall anchors come in all different shapes and sizes.

Fit the mounting brackets over the anchors and screw them together. Use a drill bit that s the same size as the dry wall anchor. When choosing wood screws for attaching the shelf please keep in mind that the screws must be slightly less thick than that of the shelf. Make absolutely sure you get a drill bit set and not just one or two drill bits.

You ll find these mollies suitable for hanging coat racks. Using a screw attach the shelf to the brackets through the mounting hole in the leg of the bracket that is facing away from the wall. Use a standard level to make sure it s placed in a straight line then lightly mark the wall with a pencil on both ends. Place one of the brackets against the wall at the first shelf location.

Position the shelf brackets against the wall along the bottom of the shelf. For light duty shelves we like the type of anchor shown here. With that all out of the way let s get started. Since then i have used dry wall anchors for hanging curtains heavy mirrors wall hooks and large wall art.

Then fit a screw into each hole.