Selecting proper wall anchor

[Keith Woythaler]

Hi everyone.  Quick question for you:  I plan on hanging a clock (not light but by no means extremely heavy) on a kitchen wall.  The wall is plaster (not sheet rock, but older style plaster) w/ wall paper on top.  My question is what type of wall anchor would you recommend to use?

Keep in mind that the area where it needs to be hung is smack dab in between studs, so it's a hollow area.  I know that you cannot simply use the self-tapping screw type anchors as it either will not make it through the plaster or it will but possibly not past the lath.

Toggle bolts? or any other ideas are more than welcomed.  Any info please!

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi Keith,  The type of anchor will depend a lot on the condition of the wall and what is behind it.  What you are describing is probably lath and plaster, so the determination here will be how strong is the lath that is behind the plaster.  Sometimes a wall anchor will serve the purpose best  especially if you are able to get the anchor between two separate pieces of lath so that the wings will spread out onto both pieces of lath.

There has been times when I have had to cut out a section of the plaster and add a piece of wood behind the wall and span it between the wall studs.  If I elect to do this again depends on strength of laths behind the wall as well as the weight of which I will add to the wall.  Most times they are between 1/4 and 3/8"  thick by about 1& 1/2 inches wide .  They are nailed to the studs with about a #6 box or less nails.  They age and become brittle so they are prone to cracks and splitting and also may not be the best piece of wood when it if first nailed to the wall studding.  I have found pieces of lath that are full of knots and splits and some even broken between the studs.

If it was me I would determine where the two studs are located and cut out about a 2 inch wide strip out of the wall and add a piece of wood stock using screws to attach it to the studs and then plaster over and paint it.

Of course you can always install a wall anchor and test it before you hang the clock.

[Keith Woythaler]

Thanks for all the info Jay...I appreciate it.  I'll have to give it some more thought and then make a decision.  

[R. E. Woods]

If the plaster is in good shape I would use a 3/16 toggle bolt. It sounds like the anchor Jay is talking about in his first paragraph. If you wobble a 1/2" drill slightly, it should create a hole large enough to insert the folded wings. Drill carefully without excessive force so you don't blowout the back of the hole or crack the plaster.

http://www.powers.com/pdfs/plastic/togglebolt.pdf

[Keith Woythaler]

Hey guys....just an update:  I went ahead and used a 3/16 toggle bolt (I actually opted for a "snap toggle", which was new to me but is a great little invention...at least I think.  It holds more weight (which I didn't need), and it allows you to insert the screw after the toggle is inserted (to assist in hanging items), and if the screw is ever removed the hole with a plastic "sleeve" and toggle remain, allowing you to at any time to use the same hole again.

I was able to get the toggle in the vertical position so I believe it should be exerting pressure vertically against two pieces of lath.  Should work out well.  Keeping my fingers crossed I did a good job.  I was actually a tad nervous during the process thinking that I might screw something up b/c of the lath and plaster, but when I was finished I felt really happy.

Thank you all for your help.

[Rick]

I have installed hundreds of Molleys, and have had great success with them. They come in various lengths, which is great for both drywall and lath/plaster. They are much easier to use than toggle bolts.