Share
Hi all, I need to secure a large bookshelf to our living room wall - which is plasterboard - to prevent it tipping over if a child climbs on it. It's the Kallax 182x182cm bookshelf from Ikea which is quite heavy - about 80kg. Once you take our skirting boards into account, the back of the shelf sits 3cm from the wall.
I have a packet of these furniture straps: https://www.bunnings.com.au/dreambaby-child-safety-furniture-wall-safety-strap-2-pack_p4210842?regio...
But the screws supplied inside are 50mm - is this too long to go into plasterboard?
Also, what sort of anchor or wall plug would I need to use? Or if it’s going into the stud, are wall anchors not required? In store, I was recommended these: https://www.bunnings.com.au/ramset-6-x-38mm-universal-anchor-6-pack_p2260441
...but I was a little unsure. I'll end up with double the amount of screws I need and the screws in that pack are just as long, and quite a lot longer than the anchor - so are the screws designed to stick out from the wall? That's not what I want.
Alternatively - the Ikea kit did include two wall brackets, which could theoretically be placed in this sort of way:
But I'm unsure if this would be sufficient for the weight of the bookshelf - perhaps four would be needed? - or what kind of screw/wall anchor combo I'd need for this option.
Could anyone offer advice on the best solution?
Cheers
Damian
Hello @damian22
Thanks for sharing your question about anchoring your furniture to the wall. If you have a stud finder this would be the best way to find out if the studs along your wall are in line with the cabinet. Ideally the wall brackets would line up with the stud which would allow you to use the long screws and not need any wall plugs. However, if there are no studs in the vicinity then you'll need to use the Ramset 8 x 50mm Universal Anchor - 4 Pack.
In regards to the screws to be used on the cabinet, please make sure that they line up with the vertical panels of the cabinet. It appears that they are too long, and they will go right through the horizontal panels of the cabinet. As to the Dreambaby Child Safety Furniture Wall Safety Strap these too can be used, but they must anchor to the timber stud of the wall as the screw locations are too close to each other preventing you from using wall plugs.
If you are still after extra support, I suggest using Carinya 70 x 70 x 20 x 2mm White Round Angle Bracket and adding two more to the supports that are already at the top. I also suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How do I safely attach my bookcase to the wall? by @furomatcha.
Here are some handy step-by-step guides:
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @EricL - disaster has struck! It turns out my studs are not wood after all - they are metal (likely steel?). Unfortunately I only realised this after I had drilled three neat little 3mm pilot holes in the plasterboard for each DreamBaby strap, and wondered why I couldn’t get through the stud, even with a cobalt bit. How would you advise proceeding? This is the drill I’m using, by the way:
Hello @damian22
Not to worry, I suggest using Zenith 8G x 35mm Galvanised Countersunk Rib Head Metal Screw. This is a self-drilling screw that will work on your steel stud. The drill you are using is perfectly fine. I propose giving it another go with the screws I've suggested. Please remember not to overtighten the screws to prevent stripping the steel.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
I am testing the limits of your magic powers, @EricL - I’ve just tried those screws and they refuse to bite into the steel, no matter how hard I press and how long I drill. I can see I’ve created a little dimple in the steel when I peer into the hole, but no more. Tried drilling a pilot hole with the 3mm cobalt bit - still nothing. Starting to wonder if I have indestructible studs. Any other ideas before I give up?
Hello @damian22
I suggest taking a step back for a moment and using your stud finder to locate the other studs in the wall. In theory your drill bit along with the screw I've suggested should have made headway into the steel stud. However, it seems that you are drilling into something that is a lot thicker than ordinary steel stud. It would be safe to conclude that it is something else and you should stop drilling into it. If you locate the other studs in the wall, you could test those areas. But if they prove to be just as tough, you might not have a choice but to use hollow wall anchors.
Let me call on our experienced members @Noyade, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let me know.
Eric
Morning @damian22
This is when we wish we had xray vison 
You may have chanced on the edge/bend of a steel frame or as @EricL suggests into something heavier.
I dont really like that type of screw to "self drill" I would rather go a piolet hole and a self tapper screw. Pretty much for the reason you are showing, until it catches and grabs it seems to go no-where. I would step through EricsL's suggestions at another point and try again, making sure your drill is in the forward position and medium weight pushed on the drill is about all I can offer above his instructions.
One thing I do with my tall bookcases is to actually put little flat spaces underneath the front foot of the bookcase this is to accomodate the "lean" if you have carpet edge on te floor but also to close that gap between wall and top of cabinet to justthe skirting boards width.
Dave
You might also like
