Issues with toggle bolts not catching


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Old 11-06-17, 09:21 AM
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Issues with toggle bolts not catching

I hung a towel bar/shelf with 4 1/4" toggle bolts (molly bolts). I had 2 that didn't catch (open properly behind the wall). I unscrewed the 2 that did catch (leaving the spring part in the wall) and tried again. Same issue even though I tried different bolts. The spring mechanisms seemed to be fine and sprung open when I released them from my hand.

The two that didn't catch came out of the wall with the spring part parallel to the bolt. It was open, but didn't catch due to being parallel rather than perpendicular to the bolt.

My question is, how do I fix this? I have big holes in the wall (maybe 1/2") so I cannot really move to another type of anchor. I believe the brand was Crown Bolt from Home Depot.

There is plenty of room in the wall for the bolt part and the bolts are rated for way more weight than the shelf will ever see.
 
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Old 11-06-17, 10:20 AM
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You need to screw the bolt in just far enough to come out of the toggle.

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Old 11-06-17, 12:21 PM
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I don't understand...what does "didn't catch" mean? Catch on what? And "parallel to the bolt". If they opened, then how can they be parallel?

I wouldn't be using bolts that long to begin with, but once I push the wings through and feel them clear the interior...I pull back on the bolt to set the wings against the interior, then tighten down.
 
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Old 11-06-17, 01:15 PM
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Are you close enough to a stud or some blocking that the wings cannot open?

As with Vic, I'm not sure I'm totally getting what you're saying.
 
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Old 11-06-17, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by stickshift
Are you close enough to a stud or some blocking that the wings cannot open?

As with Vic, I'm not sure I'm totally getting what you're saying.
Here's a picture. Maybe they were defective? It was on there perpindicular when I shoved it in the hole.

I've used these many times before. The difference this time is I am trying to shove 4 in at one time to attach this shelf which makes it much harder.

 
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Old 11-06-17, 01:52 PM
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The toggle must be folded in half and the bolt must be sticking out a few threads or the toggle won't open correctly.
 
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Old 11-06-17, 03:12 PM
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Here is a suggestion.

Take every molly bolt and throw them away, I hate those things and haven't used one in 30 years without regret.

I only use Toggler bolts and they are many time easier and fool proof!

https://www.doityourself.com/forum/a...1&d=1510009970
 
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Old 11-06-17, 03:23 PM
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I think PJmax covered it all...
 
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Old 11-07-17, 08:04 AM
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It seems like I need longer bolts. Apparently what happened was due to not having enough of the bolt screwed in when shoving it in the wall causing the toggle part to pivot. If I do that, it won't clear the drywall + length of butterfly toggle. I think the screws are 2" and I need 2.5" or 3".
 
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Old 11-12-17, 07:25 AM
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Certainly a 2" bolt is no way long enough to use with a toggle,at least 3" is needed
Geo
 
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Old 11-12-17, 07:28 AM
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Yes- I got 3" bolts and it worked fine.
 
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Old 11-12-17, 11:15 AM
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I hung a towel bar/shelf with 4 1/4" toggle bolts
I would have mentioned screw length but you said in your first post you used 4-1/4" bolts
 
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Old 11-12-17, 11:34 AM
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I thought that too, until I figured out he meant four... 1/4" diameter bolts... and didn't specify the length he used. They may make 3" and 3 1/2" and 4"... but I doubt anyone makes a 4 1/4" bolt. All makes sense now.
 
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Old 11-12-17, 07:23 PM
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Yeah- I guess it wasn't clear. It was 4 bolts, 1/4" each. The shelf has 4 holes.
 
 

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