How to install wall anchors in fibre cement sheeting?

[Kapster]

I have a laundry wall which is fibre cement sheeting, it’s probably about 15-20mm thick, hard to say. I bought two packs of the Ramsay hollow wall anchors that expand and grab the wall from behind. 

Well no issue drilling the hole, although the wall feels absolute rock solid like concrete on the surface, once through that the drill is like going through drywall almost. I have put the anchor in, but when i try to turn it, it just spins loosely in the hole. The two little prongs/teeth which are supposed to stop it from spinning do absolutely nothing against the rock hard surface of my wall and if I try to tap them in , it just flattens the prongs altogether. The prongs would be great in drywall but not this surface (Bunnings gave me bad advice in store maybe?) 

I can’t use other types of drywall anchor as the wall is so thin, I think my only option now is spring toggle which I was hoping to avoid as the holes are huge and I don’t have that drill bit 😂 

any advice on how to get the Ramset hollow wall anchor to expand  would be appreciated! I don’t want to have to buy the special tool, I’m just working with the Philips head method Thanks ! 

[EricL]

Hello @Kapster 

On the packet of the hollow wall anchor you will see a material thickness label at the top left hand side in white with black text. It tells you how thick a material it will work with and if the panel is too thin installing it will not provide a stable anchor. If the panel is very thin I suggest looking at the Ramset 5mm Hollow Wall Anchor - 4 Pack or the  Ramset M6 x 13mm Hollow Wall Anchor that works with very thin wall substrates.

I propose using some long nose pliers to hold the rotating section of the wall anchor in place while turning the screw to anchor it to the wall. By holding the rotating section the screw will be able to pull the metal springs in to hold the anchor in place. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @Noyade for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Kapster 

Trying to figure out the depth of material within a wall can be a pain, once you drill through tho it should be easier to figure out (for future ref )

Could you post a link to the types of ramset hollow wall anchor you bought? @EricL has suggested a workaround that I would also suggest to try. I would try doing the screw up without attaching it to anything. Once its been synced up tight then it will stay in place.

Otherwise I will wait for the type of screws and then we might be able to come up with another option.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @Kapster 

Those wall anchor rely on the hole being exactly as specified and that the 2 tiny pointed pins on the back flat face did in to the front wall surface. If either do not comply it will spin.

I'll need you to please confirm the size of the holes you have drilled and what you intend to fasten/hang off the fasteners in order to advise next steps as there are countless variables.

Regards Nailbag

[Kapster]

Thank you for replying. I put some tape around the top of the anchor and also held it with pliers to stop it spinning and I’ve managed to get it to expand. The issue was clearly that those little prongs just don’t dig into material this dense. Not sure if that tool solves this problem or not but if it does I might consider it for the future as these anchors are really good once you work them out! Many thanks once again! 

[Dave-1]

Good morning @Kapster 

That tool is worth it, I use one a lot at work. You screw the shaft of the screw loosly through the bottom of the unit, the head and washer stick out enough for the lip of the tool to slot into. When you squeeze the handle (With the unit in the wall) much like a pop rivit gun it pulls the end of the screw bolt towards the gun and spreads the sides of the screw barrel out, wedging it into place. Try an example before you try it in the wall and then a lightbulb will go off

Ramset Hollow Wall Anchor Setting Tool (I have seen cheaper versions but $28.00 isnt too bad.)

Note, to remove the screws once set, pretty much they have to be pushed through the wall Leaving a bigger hole and a potential blow  out on the rear. Still think they are worth it and I just leave the old ones not need in place until the wall gets repaired as a whole.

Dave