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How to install floating shelf with anchors?

Hello, I am trying to install floating shelves, however I'm having significant difficulty. I've tried plaster plugs however they are too long and i've tried ramjet hallow wall anchor screws however in some locations they are too long and I can't secure them. It seems I can get to a 20mm depth ok then I seem to be hitting brick or something else. I can't drill anymore regardless of using a mortar drill piece and hammer drill.

I've tried tirelessly to attach pics to this but it's not working!

Any ideas please? My study is looking like a disaster! It's times like this I miss my Dad!

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JacobZ

Hi @Dani29,

There's a good chance you're struggling to upload photos because of the file format that is used on smartphones. If you can send them through to workshop@bunnings.com.au, I would be more than happy to convert and upload them for you.

Working out what is behind the wall is going to be the key here, so I'll ask a few questions to see if we can work it out together.

Is the wall an exterior wall? What is your home constructed from? Is it brick or block? Do you have access to construction plans?

Have you tried drilling in more than one spot?

Unless you are just by chance hitting a steel structural beam or some kind of metal plate, I'd say there's a good chance you are hitting brick.

When you were drilling, was there any powdery residue left on the end of the drill bit? Did it look grey like concrete, or red like bricks?

If you can answer the questions and send those photos through to our email address, I should be better able to assist.

I am sure we can get this sorted for you.

Jacob

Dani29

Hi Jacob,

Thank you for your response. I've sent an email with attached pictures for you to look at. Thank you. Danielle

JacobZ

Hi Danielle (@Dani29),

Nothing has come through to our email address. Could you have a look if it went through, and if not, resend it?

Jacob

Noyade

G'day @Dani29

"It's times like this I miss my Dad!"

I and many others here know that feeling I'm sure. Please persist with @JacobZ's image uploading instructions as all of us would love to be able to assist.

In the meantime...

Bunnings floating shelf?

What (weight wise) are you hoping to store on it?

Cheers!

Dani29

Thank you Noyade and Jacob.

I have resent the email and pictures. Hoping they get received and forward to Jacob.

Its an Ikea LARK floating shelf. Hoping to store some books and some other sentimental stuff on it.

Thanks for your time and help. 🙂

Dani29

Hi Jacob,

Please see your questions I have answered:

Is the wall an exterior wall? What is your home constructed from? Is it brick or block? Do you have access to construction plans?

It’s my wall I share with my neighbour. I know there are parts of the wall where I am hitting brick (due to residue colour, etc), however there are parts that I think may possibly be metal. there is no give at all. I don’t have access to construction plans. I am going to try and check the section 32.

Have you tried drilling in more than one spot?

Yes, i have tried drilling in several spots. Some spots I can get to the depth, other spots I cannot get to the depth at all (max of around 15mm).

It’s difficult as with the floating shelves I need 5 good spots to screw into, to support the structure and I’ve really only got two.

Please see attached pictures.

I went back to bunnings and purchased the ram toggle cavity wall anchors however I can’t get deep enough for them to flick back behind the wall.

i’ve spent around $100 on drill bits, wall anchors, etc with no resolution as yet.

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. (See pictures attached)

Thank you. Danielle

JacobZ

Hi @Dani29,

Apologies for the delay in response. Thank you for sending those photos and further details through.

I do think that the Ramset Hollow Wall anchors are going to be the best way to go, but we need to find a way to make clearance for them, so they don't bottom out on the surface behind the sheet.

If it is a standard brick or block wall, it seems unlikely that there would be structural steel sitting on the outside of it. It seems likely that there is a brick, block or concrete wall there.

At this point, you are going to have to do some patching, so it might be worth just opening up one of these holes a bit more and shining a light in there to see if you can see what's behind the plasterboard or get a picture with your phone camera.

What model drill do you have, and what drill bits are you using?

While some drills have hammer mode, entry-level hammer drills can still struggle with really hard stuff. It might be a case of the drill just not being up to the job.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Dani29

Hi Jacob,

Thank you for your response.

Great idea- I'm going to open a hole up a bit more and see what I can see.

I am using a Ryobi hammer drill and masonry drill bits for it. Do you think it may not be up to the job?

Once I've taken a pic of the wall I will post it.

Thanks again for your help.

EricL

Hello @Dani29

Your Ryobi hammer drill should be sufficient and should have no trouble going through the masonry or steel (should you happen to have it behind your plaster wall). We'll be able to provide you with better advice once we see what's behind your plaster wall.

Eric

Dani29

Hello Eric,

it seems to definitely be masonry/concrete. Not steel. I can't get to a depth of more than 15mm before hitting brick.

I'm not sure I have the strength to drill into brick- but I'm hoping with the right connecting part that I can get it sorted.

Here is the hammer drill I have:https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-hammer-drill-rpd18-tool-only_p0488985?

region_id=116037&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21118986128&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB8mbjctwWCSWi3cDUZNoZZ84&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsPvMkKGFkQMVYc8WBR2mliooEAQYASABEgLZjfD_BwE

Thank you for your help.

JacobZ

Hi @Dani29,

Older brick and block that has had a long time to cure can be really difficult to drill into, and a drill driver style hammer drill, such as this Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hammer Drill RPD18 is unlikely to have the power needed to drill into it.

While they do have a hammer function, which can be used on some bricks and blocks, they do not always generate the force needed to drill through harder stuff. It really comes down to how hard the material is, whether they will be capable or not.

In tougher applications, professionals will use what is called a rotary hammer drill, which has a different type of motor that delivers more force with a percussive action.

I bought one of these Ozito 1500W 5J Rotary Hammer Drill Kit RHD-1550 to do some drilling into really tough concrete piers at my parents’ place, and it worked well. You might have to invest in something like this to get the job done.

Alternatively, if you didn’t want to get another tool, maybe getting a handyperson in to finish off the drilling would be easiest.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Dani29

Hi Jacob,

Thank you for your help/assistance.

Will a rotary drill like this work:

Ryobi 1500W SDS+ Rotary Hammer Drill RSDS1500-K

Thank you. Danielle

JacobZ

Hi @Dani29,

Yes, the Ryobi 1500W SDS+ Rotary Hammer Drill RSDS1500-K will have the power to drill into brick or block.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Dani29

Hello Jacob,

Thank you for your help. I purchased the Ozito 1500W rotary hammer drill and it worked a dream. So far I've been able to put up two floating shelves. Thank you so much for your help.

Floating shelves.jpg

I have a bit of patch/paint work to do, but it's great knowing I'm on my way!

Thank you. Danielle

EricL

Hello @Dani29

Thank you very much for the update. Your floating shelves look great!

Eric

Dani29

Thank you Eric! 😀

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