Installing a toggle bolt can help you mount sinks, bookshelves, and other heavy objects onto drywall. With a few basic tools, you can insert these metal drywall anchors in five easy steps.
A toggle bolt, also commonly known as a toggle anchor, is a type of drywall anchor that allows you to mount heavy items onto drywall. Its unique feature is its metal wings that expand after it is inserted into the hollow wall.
Read More: How Do Drywall Anchors Work?
Colin Young, a mechanical engineer, weighs in on whether or not all DIY-ers need toggle bolts in their tool kit, “Toggle bolts are great, but I would not pay to keep a supply around. I would only buy these when needed.”
As a DIYer, using toggle bolts can help you mount sinks, bookshelves, handrails, and other heavy objects using the following basic tools:
Tools needed:
- Stud finder
- Tape measure (optional)
- Masking tape (optional)
- Pencil
- Drill
- Drill bit
- Toggle bolt
- Screw
- Screwdriver
Step 1: Prepare the Mounting Location
Identify the area where you’ll mount the heavy item. Use a stud finder to check for any electrical wires, pipes, and studs you might drill into. You’ll need to drill into a hollow section of wall to use a toggle bolt.
Learn More: How to Find a Stud in the Wall
Mark the mounting location with a pencil. For precise placement, you may use a tape measure. If you’re working with an area with existing wall fixtures, you may place masking tape on the drywall to mark the borders of the heavy item you’ll mount.
Step 2: Drill the Pilot Hole
Pre-drilling a guide or pilot hole ensures the toggle bolt can securely hold on to the drywall and expand as it is inserted. Check the packaging of the toggle bolt to determine what drill bit you’ll use.
Slowly drill into the drywall on the mounting location you marked in the previous step. Use the lowest setting on your drill to avoid damaging the drywall. Drill until you reach the other side of the hollow wall.
Step 3: Thread the Toggle Bolt Through the Heavy Item
A toggle bolt has two parts: a screw and a metal nut with wings. Toggle bolts are usually sold with the screws and metal wings attached. Twist the metal wings counter-clockwise to remove it from the screw.
Insert the screw through the hole of the heavy item and twist the winged metal nut clockwise on the other end. The heavy item should be between the head of the screw and the metal wings. Before proceeding to the next step, ensure that the metal wings, which should be on the end facing the drywall, are folding toward you.
Pro Tip: If you’re mounting a towel rod or an object with more than one hole, you’ll need to repeat this step to insert a toggle bolt through each hole.
Step 4: Drive the Toggle Bolt into the Drywall
With the head of the screw directly facing you, fold or pinch the metal wings down as you push the toggle bolt into the drywall. Hold the heavy item with your other hand while doing this to support its weight. The toggle bolt will open and expand once you’ve driven it to the other side of the wall. Gently tug on the screw to ensure the wings of the toggle bolt have expanded.
Step 5: Tighten the Screw
While still holding the heavy item, tighten the screw clockwise with a screwdriver. As you are doing this, the screws should be parallel with the ground for better alignment.
Follow this process if you are mounting an item with more than one toggle bolt and periodically check if the toggle bolts are aligned with each other. Afterward, give the heavy item a gentle tug to check if it is securely in place.
If you need to remove a drywall anchor, such as a toggle bolt, you may also need to learn how to patch a hole in the drywall.
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Main Image Credit: hansgeel / Adobe Stock Free / License
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