There are many times when you need to hang a product on the wall, but the studs are not necessarily available. Instead of banging our heads against the wall (which never works, just creates big holes), we usually reach for the Buildex Twist-N-Lock EZ Anchor. These drywall anchors are very versatile and come in many different configurations – from light duty to heavy duty. This makes them suitable for almost any application, and each fastener can carry 30 to 85 pounds of weight. The Buildex Twist-N-Lock fasteners themselves are made of nylon or zinc and offer unique features.
Many times you need to hang a picture or decoration on the wall, but the studs are not necessarily available. Instead of banging our heads against the wall (which never works, just creates big holes), we usually use self-drilling plastic drywall anchors. They hold a lot of weight and are easier to install than any other type of anchor.
The many names for self-drilling plastic drywall anchors
Self-drilling plastic drywall anchors are available under a variety of brand names. You have EZ Ancor, Toggler, Hillman – even Hilti makes these. These drywall anchors are very versatile and come in many different configurations – from light duty to heavy duty. This makes them suitable for almost any use. They typically support 30 to 85 pounds per fastener. These self-drilling screw-in plastic drywall anchors are made of nylon. They can be very effective if you use them correctly.
Install
Using a screwdriver—we don't recommend a drill—you can screw these fasteners into drywall without pre-drilling. Be careful though. If you have a repainted wall, you want to "break" the surface before screwing in the plastic anchors. Skip this step and you risk breaking the nib.
We recommend that you use a Phillips screwdriver and simply chisel a small starting divot where you want to screw the anchor in. This activates the tip of the plastic self-drilling drywall anchor on the drywall instead of letting it jump across the painted surface.
Once the face of the drywall anchor is flush with the wall surface, add the included machine threaded screw to the fastener. This separates the flange, securing it inside the wall so it cannot be easily pulled out. We used an abundance of light and medium-duty fasteners to hold pictures and even heavier items like speakers and small shelves. Alternatively, they can be removed manually with a simple Phillips head screwdriver.
Using self-drilling plastic drywall anchors can replace typical plastic plugs, which are less reliable and require pre-drilled holes. They also surpass the use of toggle bolts in low weight applications. Those will leave a big hole and also need to be pre-drilled. The deep thread design provides strong enough adhesion for nearly any size plaster/plasterboard, including 3/8", 1/2", and 5/8". They will even work in most double wall drywall situations. Because the anchors are constructed of corrosion-resistant zinc and non-conductive white nylon, they can be used in virtually any application.
Plastic drywall anchors are usually sold in packs of 10, 25, or 50. If you've never used these products, you should check them out for yourself. They will save time and effort and are worth the money.