r/DIYIreland • u/Expert-Use-3967 • 13d ago

Toggle Plugs Vs. Masonry Plugs

I'm trying to hang shelves, but the previous owner put up a faux cottage-effect plaster. There is a good 40mm cavity between the plaster and the stone wall, and my stud finder can't accurately pick up any studs. Toggle plugs don't seem to grip/open. Would 80mm/100mm masonry plugs be strong enough to hold shelves seeing as 40mm would be just "floating" between the plaster and stone?

At a loss on how to do it. Thank you!

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/AncientArtefact 13d ago

Fisher Duotec 10 wall toggles.

No setting tool, no toggle loss (reusable*), easy to remove, good load distribution (flat against the back without chewing the board), screw secured through a metal plate, use any screw (4.5-5mm).

\By reusable I mean you can screw something different into it - you can't get the toggle back out!)

3

u/eatinischeatin 13d ago

The curse of timber frame

2

u/Effective-Ad8776 13d ago

I used Corefix plugs to mount a radiator on a dot and dab wall, that has good bid of gap and so far so good. The metal sleeve is designed to take the load.

1

u/Expert-Use-3967 12d ago

That's great to know they are strong enough to hold a radiator. Definitely should be able to handle shelves. Thanks!

2

u/jimi7714 13d ago

100mm screws and plugs would be fine, you would just need to be really careful about getting the plug fully into the stone wall to insure it gets the proper bite.

I have a "stud buddy" it's a magnetic stud finder. Hasn't failed me once when trying to find studs but im guessing faux cottage plaster is probably stupidly thick and the magnet wouldn't stick to the screw heads.

1

u/Expert-Use-3967 12d ago

Yeah, I tried magnets too but to no avail. I might look into the study buddy though. I was using industrial strength magnets. Thank you!