The most common and budget-friendly option is the plastic expansion anchor.
Like threaded drywall anchors, they can support medium loads, but their main advantage is how easy they are to install. These unique drywall anchors use sharp and threaded tips that can be drilled directly into drywall, so you do not have to pre-drill a pilot hole. While they cannot hold the same weight as a toggle bolt drywall anchor, they can still support relatively heavy items if installed correctly. As you can imagine, drill bit selection is critical with threaded drywall anchors. With a threaded drywall anchor, the anchor is inserted after a pre-drilled hole. They are ideal for heavier items that would damage the drywall if held up with a less secure drywall anchor. The wings expand once the anchor has been put through the drywall, which helps distribute the weight more efficiently. These consist of a bolt held in place with spring-loaded wings. Types of Drywall Anchors You Can Useīefore we get into the correct drill bit size for installing a drywall anchor, it is worth explaining some of the most common types because different drywall anchors can require different drill bits. Not only can they provide a much more secure and stable hold, but they also prevent the drywall from crumbling. The drywall anchor applies pressure on the back of the drywall so the item that is being held up does not come loose and fall. Since drywall can be very fragile, especially at its surface, the primary function of drywall anchors is to reinforce a hold and distribute weight more evenly than a simple screw. What Is a Drywall Anchor?īasically, a drywall anchor is a simple device installed through the drywall. We will also provide a quick overview of drywall anchor installation and some helpful insight into the various types of drywall anchors out there. To help you install drywall anchors correctly, we will explain how you can select the appropriate drill bit size for the job. While drywall anchors serve a relatively simple purpose, you must choose the correct drill bit size to install one properly. You can pick the correct one either with the help of a drilling chart or through measuring by your eye.Drywall anchors are incredibly useful for mounting anything securely on drywall without damaging the surface. The right size of the drill bit will depend on the screw size. Without making a pilot hole before drilling, you can cause the wood to chip, splinter, or possibly break. A pilot hole enables you to guide the screw where it needs to go. Once you’ve chosen the correct drill bit, it is time to drill a pilot hole. Related Article: Drill Bits Size for Wall Anchor Drill Bit Sizes for Drilling Screw Pilot Holes This will not make the screw seal too hard against the surface and allow you to use the washer. That is, while lining the screw and the drill bit, make sure that they both have the same width including the screw threads. Method 2 – if you’re going to use washers, on the other hand, that requires that the screw is a bit loose, then do the opposite of the previous suggestion.
If the width of their shaft is the same then the drill bit is probably of accurate size. Don’t take into account the threads of the screw. Line both of them up end to end and check with your eyes if both have the same width. Method 1 – Take the screw that you want to use after drilling and place it next to the drill bit. All you have to do is to follow our suggestion below: There are other methods that can help you pick the correct sized bit other than looking at the size chart. How do you supposed to know exactly which size you need? With seemingly endless fractions and decimals used for screw sizes, it is a great challenge for a beginner to choose the correct size. Read More: Best Self Centering Drill Bit How Do I Choose The Right Size Drill Bit For A Screw?
As a result, the screw won’t have enough wood around its shaft to hold onto. Although choosing the right sized one isn’t a very difficult thing to do, picking the wrong size may split the board or create too large a hole. You want to choose the correct drill bit size to correspond with the pilot hole. It also poses a much lesser risk of cracking the wood.
When you have a pilot hole the screw can travel much easier with less friction through the surface. It is a common mistake of many novice woodworkers to drill screws into the wood without creating a pilot hole first.