What's the best way to fix DC fan remote cradle to plasterboard?

[swmw]

 

Simple question - I want to fix DC fan  remote cradles to plasterboard walls, not into studs. The holes in the plastic cradle only take 4g screws and are only 3cm apart.

Wallmate anchors say to use them 10cm apart at minimum to avoid compromising the plasterboard strength. And besides they only suit larger gauge screws.

Any suggestions - I’ve often seen these cradles falling off the wall in AirBnB’s because they haven’t been attached properly and I want to avoid that. Thanks

[AlanM52]

Hi @swmw,

The world would be a better place if those cradles had a thicker back to accommodate larger screws.

Besides being small the supplied screws for those remotes have a fine thread.

I use the next screw size up with a 'chipboard' thread'.

Drill out holes to suit and then enlarge the countersink 'as much as I can' because of the thin plastic.

The screw heads will sit a bit proud but has never been a issue.

I have done many like that and not had any negative feedback.

Cheers

[Noyade]

Afternoon @swmw 

 

"Simple question"

And a very good one.

I have a dull life and been outside playing with anchoring styles with gyprock.

Around six styles and plenty of photos if you wish to see.

But at the end of the day the best anchorage (that resisted a pry bar force) was the Ramset style expanding hollow anchor.

M4 X 32mm.

Enough pressure to 'dimple' the gyprock surface for a flush fit and I personally would be grinding the head diameter down to fit the recess in the cradle.

Just Saturday experimental thoughts.

Cheers.

[JacobZ]

Hi @swmw,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It's great to see our helpful community members @AlanM52 and @Noyade have already jumped in with some advice.

In this situation, I would be recommending these Ramset M4 x 8mm Hollow Wall Anchor, which I believe are what Noyade has used.

This type of expanding anchor pulls on the back of the plasterboard rather than biting into it like a Wallmate does. The likelihood of fracturing the plasterboard, which is the main concern when locating Wallmates in close proximity to each other, is greatly reduced because of this.

The 4g screws should work with the existing holes in the cradle, but you can always widen the holes by drilling them out if needed.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[swmw]

Thank you all for your replies.

Can I clarify your comment “The 4g screws should work with the existing holes in the cradle, but you can always widen the holes by drilling them out if needed.”

If I use those Ramset Hollow Wall anchors, surely I have to use the screw that comes with the anchor and the anchor would not be compatible with a 4g screw? eg Zenith 4g x 20mm timber screws (I think the electrician threw away the screws that came with the cradle).

While I could widen the hole in the cradle to take the screw that comes with the Ramset anchor, the head would sit too proud and the remote wouldn’t be able to slide into the cradle anymore. Is grinding down the head to fit the recess in the cradle like Noyade said the only option here?

[AlanM52]

Hi @swmw,

With due respect for the other suggestions I am saying you don't need anchors for such a small lightweight item.

RE:

I use the next screw size up with a 'chipboard' thread'.

Drill out holes to suit and then enlarge the countersink 'as much as I can' because of the thin plastic.

The screw heads will sit a bit proud but has never been a issue.

Cheers

[JacobZ]

Hi @swmw,

The issue I have with using 4g screws is that they are extremely narrow and only come in short lengths to the point that they would barely penetrate the back of the plasterboard and wouldn't be compatible with a plug-style anchor because their thread wouldn't be wide enough in diameter to really bite in.

If there was no way to use the Ramset Hollow Wall Anchors that I mentioned above, you might have to use something like this Ramset 6 x 38mm Universal Anchor. Again, the provided screws do not have a countersunk screwhead, but you could replace them with something like these Zenith 6G x 40mm Zinc Plated Countersunk Head Timber Screws. 

I don't really see a way of strongly anchoring the cradle to the wall without some kind of modification to it.

Jacob

[Noyade]

"Is grinding down the head to fit the recess in the cradle like Noyade said the only option here?"

Probably not - but worth a try.

I don't have your 'cradle' @swmw. 

But this seems close - for a Bunnings Ironhorse fan usually mounted on a wall.

Both screws are from the Ramset syle anchorage system as I illustrated above. The top is the original 7mm diameter.

The lower has had the head diameter reduced with twenty seconds on a bench grinder.

It now fits below the surface of the plastic.

Another option?

Saw this in a Tibetan restaurant.

Just another thought. 

[swmw]

I’ve seen too many of these flapping around due to not using an anchor because while they are lightweight items, people have a habit of yanking on them when inserting/removing the remote. Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I’ll be able to make a plan.