Can I use a plug too big for the screw?

gilbutre

I recently learnt on this forum how to stabilize a plug in a hole that's too big for it. I now have a different problem: I need to put a 3.5 x 16mm screw in my wall (can't drill deeper than that with the tools I have, these walls are bunker walls) but don't have any plug of that tiny diameter. The narrowest plug I have is still about 1mm too big. Is there a technique to somehow stabilize the screw within this slightly-too-big plug?

DTDfanBoy

Are you sure about the 16mm, that really isn't deep enough to get much of a fix, the 3.5 screw will suit a 5mm plug, yellow if using rawl branded plugs, if the hole was deeper you'd also be able to use a 6mm red rawl plug for that screw size.

You really need to drill a deeper hole, chopping down plugs really reduces their holding power.

gilbutre

I can't drill deeper. Not sure whether I'm following you about how 3.5 screw would fit a 5mm plug... The smallest plug I have is too big for this screw, that's it. My question is is there some way to still stabilize the screw inside that plug.

DTDfanBoy

I think you're slightly confused about the terms you are using, a 5mm plug is the correct size for a 3.5 screw, if you use a screw with a thread size the same as the plug you will cut your plug into pieces.

If you want a quick bodge fill the hole in the plug with match sticks cut to length and screw into that, but as you hole is only 16mm deep this will probably fail.

gilbutre

I can't fill the space in the plug with match sticks, there's not enough space for that. The plug is only slightly too big.

DTDfanBoy

I'm really struggling to work out what you are doing, what gives you the impression that the plug is too big. Perhaps you could post a photo of the hole and the plug and screw you are using.

You are inserting the plug into the wall then screwing into the plug, only ask as I came across someone last week who thought you screwed the screw into the plug then hammered both into the hole in the wall :rotfl:

FreeBear

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

You are inserting the plug into the wall then screwing into the plug, only ask as I came across someone last week who thought you screwed the screw into the plug then hammered both into the hole in the wall :rotfl:

Well..... There are hammer fixings which are basically a screw with a wall plug attached - These are pushed in to a hole and then hammered home and can be removed using a screwdriver.

gilbutre

I'm trying to install 3 brackets for a curtain pole. Each bracket needs 2 screws, one on top and one at the bottom. So that's 6 holes in total. The 3 top holes are already done (for a previous pole, I don't need to take of that again). The new brackets I want to install for the new pole are different and I need to make the 3 bottom holes. Problem is for one of these my drill can't go past 15mm or so. To drill deeper I'd need a rotary hammer drill but mine is broken and I won't buy another one just for that hole. So somehow I need to install a screw in this 15mm deep hole. The screws I have of this length are too narrow (3.5mm) for the smallest plugs I own: when I insert the screw in the plug, the plug is just to wide. The screw can do whatever it wants within the plug, you can't screw it in the plug. I don't know how to explain this further

victor2

So you've been able to drill 16mm through mostly plaster-board and can't drill into the brickwork. What do you imagine the screw would grip against if you could get a plug to fit the undersized screw you are proposing to use? It will do nothing and will purely be cosmetic rather than leaving a blank hole in the bracket. Push some paper in the hole and stuff the screw into that, then hope the top screws can take the weight of the pole and curtains.
Alternatively, borrow or hire a hammer drill and do the job properly.

gilbutre

Exactly, I expert the top screws to carry the weight. It's just for curtains so 3 solid screws are enough I reckon. The bottom screw is for preventing the bracket from moving when closing/opening the curtains.

(btw I already tried a hammer drill on this wall, it doesn't work)

Mr.Generous

Sometimes putting up curtain poles you hit the window lintel, if its a rolled steel joist they are very very difficult to drill. When that happens I'd either move the curtain pole up or down a bit or cut off the plug short as you suggest. I use a short stubby self tapping screw if I have to cut a plug right down, it won't be very strong though.