Knowing which drill bit, wall plug and screw to use

Ectophile

If you look on the packaging for wall plugs, or on the plastic sprue they come attached to, then they will normally state what size screws they are intended for and what size drill should be used.

So if you can work out what size screw you need, then get the plugs for that screw, and the drill for that plug.

If you have a fixing, then you normally need a screw that's just small enough to go through the hole in the fixing.

mchale

For putting up pictures etc, I'd say a 5mm masonry drill, yellow plugs & no 6 screws will suffice, bear in mind if its a old house with poor plaster, start off with a small hole as if the plug does not grip it's a lot easier to use the next size up, rather than starting off with a 6 or 7mm drill bit.

C_Mababejive

Do not forget to get yourself a metal/stud detector before you poke that drill in the wall. If you hit gas/water/electric/telecoms it will cost you dear leaving aside the risk of injury.

katejo

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Do not forget to get yourself a metal/stud detector before you poke that drill in the wall. If you hit gas/water/electric/telecoms it will cost you dear leaving aside the risk of injury.

I bought one of these recently together with a drill. I have found that it seems to detect wires/power even on walls where there were previously pictures up before I had my hall/stairs area redecorated. On some walls i part expected it but others have taken me by surprise. i still haven't drilled any holes/put any pictures up.

googler

My local B&Q has reams of info in the Fixings aisle about which fixings to use with which types of wall, and which fixings to use for light, medium and heavy items.

The packaging for the fixing will tell you what size of drill bit to use to match the fixing, and sometimes has other advice.

The type of wall you have will determine what kind of drill bit to use (wood/masonry etc)

If you're putting fixings into plasterboard, most times you won't even need the drill - I find the 'poke a hole in it, and hammer the fixing in' is sometimes appropriate.

Go to your local DIY store and take some time to look.

Also consider buying a basic DIY manual, or borrowing one from your library.