Wall plugs

[Neeru247]

Hi, can anyone help me? I am new to DIY and find pushing wall plugs in awkward. They always seem too tight just after half way in...should the hole be bigger? If I gently tap it with a hammer it gets damaged. I know it should be right against the wall but my wall plugs rarely ever are!

[cheater123]

I have had this problem! I suppose you just need a perfect sized drill piece for the wall plug. It should go in fairly easy but still be tight.

Make sure you are drilling far enough in. It seems daft but i found it surprising how far i was drilling in.

When i drill holes too big though i ended up filling them all back in!! Suppose its just practise!

[stoo_pid]

If you do accidentally drill the hole a little too big just use a used match stick (or shavings) to pad the hole a bit.

[Neeru247]

Hi and thanks for your suggestions.

I have been to Homebase and found an item called Fischer Fix-n-wet which can be placed over the plug when inserting. Hope it works!

[les saisies]

It should say on the box or plastic strip holding plugs together what size drill to use. Always use the correct size drill and drill hole deep enough for length of plug and screw. Tap the plug beneath the plaster or else the surface of the plaster will break out when you tighten the screw.

[aurora83]

If it is too tight, you have either drilled the hole too small, or not long enough.

Here a few tips:

After you have marked your holes, drill them with a small masonay bit (3-4mm) to create a pilot hole. The will make it easier for the larger bit to follow the same path, and to get through any denser material. Start of using the drill and when you feel that the drill is not going any further, turn on hammer.

Once you have drilled a pilot hole, fit the correct drill bit for the size of your plugs, as les saisies says, it should say this on the packet/box. If you know that your walls are not very good (like mine are), fit a bit which is a half size smaller, or one full size smaller. Then take one of your plugs and line it up with the tip of you drill bit to see how far you need to drill into the wall, add a bit more. If you want to, you can put a bit of tape around the bit as a marker.

Do the same with the larger bit, go in with the drill, then turn on the hammer when you need it. Don't let the drill stray, make it stay on course.

When you done, put the bit in, but dont force it in. If it feels like it's getting tight pull it out. If you were using the right size bit, put the drill back in, widen it slightly. Otherwise the correct size.

Just take your time, and you shouldn't need to fill anything. Once you have done a couple with the method above, it'll be a piece of cake.