I read that most people use the wrong size drill bit for wall anchors

Found this in an old library book about home repairs from the 70s. It said for a plastic anchor, the hole should be exactly the same size as the anchor body, not the screw. I always just matched the bit to the screw thread. Tried it hanging a shelf last weekend and the hold is way tighter. Has anyone else tested this old rule?

3 comments

3 Comments

simon71719d ago

My dad taught me to match the bit to the screw size, so that's what I did for years. I had a bathroom mirror come loose because of it. After reading a tip like that in a hardware store pamphlet, I tried drilling the hole to match the anchor itself. The difference was night and day, everything just locks in place. I was totally wrong about the old way. It seems so obvious now, but you just follow what you were taught.

johnson.daniel13d ago

Honestly, that "you just follow what you were taught" part hits home. I see it everywhere, like people washing dishes with cold water because they never knew hot works better on grease. Or always adding a cup of water to the pan when making boxed mac and cheese because the instructions said so, even though it makes it soupy. We get stuck in these little routines and don't even question them until something falls off the wall.

clark.robin19d ago

Yeah, that "same size as the anchor body" rule is a total game changer. I learned it the hard way after a few wobbly towel bars (which was pretty annoying). It really does make everything so much more solid.