Possible dumb question...

MaxP779 · 11 Sep 2013 at 17:33

I have these 6mm rawl plugs, would i use the 6mm drill bit to drill holes for them? Or does the hole need to be a bit smaller or... how does it work?

This is what i got:
http://i.imgur.com/e28IHoS.jpg

DampDog · 11 Sep 2013 at 17:36

6mm is fine, but what are you drilling into? Rawplugs are normally for solid walls. Those are wood drill bits??

MaxP779 · 11 Sep 2013 at 17:48

DampDog said:
6mm is fine, but what are you drilling into? Rawplugs are normally for solid walls. Those are wood drill bits??

Plaster ceiling, got my drill, got my light, all ready to try and install it

The other drill bits were for metal and brick so i figured the wood one would (no pun intended) be best.

DampDog · 11 Sep 2013 at 17:57

Whoa Ohh.. I don't think rawplugs are intended to be used on plasterboard, they will just pull straight out as they have nothing to compress against. You need the butterfly type with little wings/clasps..

Like this..

Or this..

There are others but is sounds you need plasterboard fasteners for hollow plasterboard unless you know for deffo it's solid behind

Jokester · 11 Sep 2013 at 18:02

I used those spiral anchor jobs in plasterboard in the top photo for hanging my canvas prints. Worked an absolute treat.

MaxP779 · 11 Sep 2013 at 18:09

The light came with 3 of these types:

http://i.imgur.com/FzA5bzl.jpg

Ill use them instead, i thought the red might be better quality as i found them used in the hallway light when i took that down.

DampDog · 11 Sep 2013 at 18:12

That links doesn't work..

AshD93 · 11 Sep 2013 at 18:55

You're way better off using the ones DampDog suggested. I just gutted a plasterboard house and there was tons of holes where raw plugs had been used. They literally fell out of the board.

On the other hand the spiral ones were stupidly strong.

haaammit · 11 Sep 2013 at 19:37

The best ones to use (for strength) are the ones on the left of the first picture but you must use the correct setting tool - http://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-...=Search-_-SearchRec-_-Area3&_requestid=649022

Bomb proof - much stronger than the spiral type

OpenToSuggestions · 11 Sep 2013 at 19:41

Rawl plugs like the OP talks about held up my big glass shower door on my bath (put there by previous owner), well they did anyway until the entire thing fell off and nearly broke my foot. Luckily all it smashed was the toilet seat - I was very lucky and had no idea how crap the rawl plugs where.

My personal view is to use decent rawl plugs. I use the B&Q standard ones where are pretty good, but not as good as the ones Dampdog's post shows.
In my experience, the 'free' rawl plugs that come with things are absolutely awful and should not be used. I like to buy the rawlplugs that come with screws, so I am 100% sure I have the correct one

.

Glaucus · 11 Sep 2013 at 19:42

Jokester said:
I used those spiral anchor jobs in plasterboard in the top photo for hanging my canvas prints. Worked an absolute treat.

I don't like the metal ones, they are to strong and not enough load spreading. Ive had far more success with the plastic spreading ones(not the large thread ones). Painting ok, but heavier stuff, found the plastic ones don't rip out.

MaxP779 · 11 Sep 2013 at 20:00

Well these rawl plugs might not be super strong but they should do the job, light fitting seems nice and secure.

Tada, my first ever light fitting:
http://i.imgur.com/QMANWyc.jpg

Only knackered a teeny bit of plasterboard too

Second smaller hallway light:
http://i.imgur.com/gHZLclV.jpg

bitslice · 12 Sep 2013 at 00:57

OpenToSuggestions said:
In my experience, the 'free' rawl plugs that come with things are absolutely awful and should not be used.

They really should stop including the usual tat, it would then force people to go out and buy the correct fitting for the job.
I've seen stuff come with miniature 1.5cm rawlplugs

I'd rather use blu-tack :/

You can get plastic rawlplugs that have expanding lugs at the side, for light fittings they work OK

pitchfork · 12 Sep 2013 at 07:31

That light rated for wet areas?

Also, generally most light fittings will have at least one screw directly into the stud, this is what you want to aim for then 2 spring toggles.

MaxP779 · 12 Sep 2013 at 15:10

pitchfork said:
That light rated for wet areas?

Also, generally most light fittings will have at least one screw directly into the stud, this is what you want to aim for then 2 spring toggles.

Ya its IP44.

pitchfork · 12 Sep 2013 at 15:25

MaxP779 said:
Ya its IP44.

Just checking, you wouldn't believe what some DIYers get up to.