Dear Experts
My laundry shelf is loose and I can't locate the screws for it
Please see attached photos and video
https://imgur.com/a/gq9Hxtw
Hello @zillah
It appears to be a floating shelf installation. Does it use a steel flat base with two poles sticking out where you slide the shelf in place? It also appears that you have a timber wall covering and not a plasterboard wall. I propose using either Tox M6 Flip Toggle Bolt or Ramset 3 / 16" x 50mm Round Head Toggle Spring - 4 Pack to anchor the shelf bracket back into position. But if it appears that the mounting points are soft and compromised, I suggest moving the shelf down and screwing it into a new position and patching the old holes.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Hello @Eric
Sorry for the late reply I was trying to figure out what type of material was used for the laundry wall,,,I am not sure if it is Villaboard as it is wet area ?
How can I dismantle the shelf ? to install it again using your toggle bolt
Thx
Under the shelf there are two tiny holes. They contain grub screws that could potentially be configured for Allen keys or a Philips screwdriver. If you can peak inside the holes, it will give you a better idea of what tool to use. Once you get those grub screws out you can then pull your shelf off the blind mounting bracket. If it appears that the old mounting points are soft and compromised, I suggest moving the shelf down and screwing it into a new position and patching the old holes. Can you please show us the screws or fittings that were originally used to install the shelf in place. Once we see this, we can then make recommendations on how to proceed. I've placed a sample installation manual to give you an idea how the shelf is installed.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Thank you very much Eric
Appreciate your help and informative details
Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your shelf re-installed.
Thx Eric will do
Hello Eric
I failed to figure out what type of screw is used please attached photos ,,,It is not Allen key head nor Phillips head
I'm sorry to hear that you could not remove the locking nuts to your shelves. Thank you for posting those extra photos, it appears to be a hexagonal opening. I suggest using a larger Allen key or a midsize one to see which one fits. Once you find the correct size, turn the key anticlockwise to loosen the screw and remove it from its location. Once both screws are out you should be able to pull the shelf out of the hidden wall bracket. Please give this one more try and let me know if you succeed.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.
Thx Eric
I tried couple of those Allen key but I couldn't grab the hexagonal screw that is located in awkward position
My only other thoughts are to see if you can use a flathead screwdriver and see if you can anchor the head to the tool and see if you can turn it. If this fails, the only other tool I can suggest is to use an IRWIN 3 Piece Screw Extractor Set 1876224.
Let me call on few other members such as @Noyade, @TedBear, @JoeAzza and @Remarka6le for their ideas on how to remove the screw inside your shelf.
Good Afternoon @zillah
Maybe try an imperial set of Allen keys before the screw extractor? That could be why the allen keys dont quite match up. I would also clean up all teh fibres that may be hanging over the edge of the allen head screw as well.
Dave
Thx Dave
Will try to clean to see why type of screw is that
I'm half blind - but it looks like a six-sided bolt head to me?
The large fibrous hole I just assumed was for the socket?
Hi @zillah
I can’t see a hex shaped recess in the head so it’s not going to be an Allan key especially with a head that size. From the first photo it looks like a hex head from a coach screw or bolt.
if that’s the case you will need to open the hole a bit more to fit a socket on to it. Then as @EricL suggested it will undo counterclockwise
Nailbag
Thx Nailbag, Eric, Dave and Noyade
I have cleaned both holes as there are two holes
It appears that the heads have been sheared off. I propose going with the IRWIN 3 Piece Screw Extractor Set 1876224 in order to remove the body of the screw.
Hi @zillah , just another thought is the get a small is to get a small chisel , 1/4 inch wide and chisel out the wood around the screw , which should then release the shelf from the screws, then get a pair of pliers to remove the screws.
Thx JoeAzzq
In this case I won’t be able to reuse the shelf right ?
Looks like it
If you manage to remove the screws without damaging the shelf too badly you might be able to reuse it.
Hi @zillah,
Lots of assistance here and I only have a general tip.
What do you have in your bottom kitchen drawer?
Although our bottom drawer was overflowing I still managed to squeeze those two items in there.
Wi-Fi Ear Cleaner and Wi-Fi Endoscope Camera.
Recently use the endoscope camera to track down ants under the gas cooktop.
Also useful for peering into little holes.
Cheers
Good morning @zillah
The screw heads have been stripped/burred away by the look of it. Trying to extract teh screws might be problematic and saving the shelf for reuse is heading to the low side. Apart from chiseling out the timber around the screw as @JoeAzza has suggested and @EricL ezyout suggestion I am thinking of cutting off the supports going into the wall. With the issue of the screw heads either being a hex head, allen key or ??? It will be problematic to remove them and also in reusing the threaded area as well.
>>I am thinking of cutting off the supports going into the wall.<,
Thanks @Dave-1,,,,,how can I cut those supports if they are not exposed ?
The tubular supports that extend into the shelf are welded to a flat bracket that attaches to the wall. Unfortunately, this flat bracket is recessed into the back of the shelf to give it a flushmount appearance. This would make it very difficult to cut the mount without damaging the shelf.
If the end goal is to replace the shelf due to the amount of damage that will be sustained with removing it, I'd just cut the timber shelf into pieces and then pull it off. Since the screws which hold it in position appear to be missing their heads, with a bit of force, you might be able to just pull the shelf straight off. A new floating shelf is relatively budget-friendly.
Mitchell
Afternoon @zillah
If you go back and look at @EricL 's post of how the shelf should be installed (its an instruction page) on the first page of this topic it shows how the bars are connecte dto the btracket that is mounted on the wall. A hacksaw blade or sabersaw would be the tool I would reach for. In the video you posted a link to, the shelf moves with a resonable flex to it already. That suggests that the screws holding in place may have weakend/stripped. You could flex it some more to see if the whole bracket peels away from the wall. I wouldnt put lots of pressure on it but some and see how it feels.
Thx Mitchell,,,I wouldn't worry if I damage the shelf
Thx Dave I have checked the instruction that Eric posted yes it showing everything clearly
